FOUND ANIMALS
If you've found a lost animal, follow our advice below to help reunite them with their owners.
Stray dogs
How to help a stray dog
As a charity with limited resources, we are not licensed to accept stray dogs.
Follow these steps to help reunite the dog with their owner;
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Check to see if the dog is wearing a collar or tag with the contact details of the owner. Only approach if calm.
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Stay clear if the dog’s displaying aggressive behaviour and call the local dog warden.
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Report the stray dog to the council. All local authorities provide a dog warden service. Information about your local authority's dog warden service can be found via this link: https://www.gov.uk/report-stray-dog
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Contact the local vet to scan for a microchip as by law all dogs should be microchipped. Dogs can also be scanned by the dog warden or by contacting a local animal rescue centre.
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Contact local animal rescue centres and report the found dog.
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Register the found dog on Animal Search UK, exclusively used by national RSPCA inspectors.
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Use social media to check local groups and announce that you’ve found a dog. Spread the word locally.
Stray cats
How to help a stray cat
It can be hard to tell if a cat is stray, is roaming but owned or living as a feral.
Unfortunately we don’t have a cattery at the centre so are unable to accept stray cats directly from the public.
Here's what to do if you find a stray, feral or lost cat:
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Check to see if the cat is wearing a collar or tag with the contact details of the owner - only approach if the cat is calm.
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Ask around locally. Cats roam over a wide area and sometimes they can be mistaken for strays even when they have owners.
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Contact the local vet to scan for a microchip as by law all cats should be microchipped. Cats can also be scanned by contacting a local animal rescue centre.
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Advertise on social media and ask around locally.
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Register the found cat on Animal Search UK, exclusively used by national RSPCA inspectors.