Many people believe calling the RSPCA is the first step when they find a lost dog. However, the charity primarily focuses on rescuing animals from neglect and cruelty. While it cares about lost pets, calling the RSPCA for every lost animal could potentially delay emergency calls.
Dominika Jagoda, RSPCA pet welfare expert, suggests these simple steps if you've found a stray pet|:
What to do if you find a lost dog
A stray dog is likely to be an escaped, lost or abandoned pet and it’s important that they get the help they need as quickly as possible. The public can help by following these easy steps:
- Can you catch the dog safely? If the dog appears calm and isn’t displaying any aggressive or nervous behaviour then you may be able to catch it using some treats and a collar or lead. If it is showing its teeth, has its ears flat, its tail between its legs or is snarling then don’t approach it but instead call the local authority’s dog warden.
- Never put yourself at risk to reach a stray dog; if the dog is on a busy highway then contact the police or Highways Agency, and if they’re stuck somewhere dangerous then contact your local fire and rescue service for help.
- Is the dog wearing a collar? If the dog is wearing a collar then it may have an ID tag which means you can contact the owner and reunite them quickly.
- Take the dog to a local vet. A local vet will be able to scan the dog for a microchip and hopefully return them to their owner quickly. It is a legal requirement for pet dogs to be microchipped.
- Put up posters. You could create a ‘found’ poster to put up in the local area and you can register the dog as ‘found’ on Animal Search UK. There are probably other local schemes in your area - and don't forget social media.
- Contact the dog warden. Reporting the dog to your local authority dog warden is often the best way to help. You can find out who to contact on the UK Government website or there’s lists of contact details for local dog wardens online. Local authorities have a statutory responsibility for stray dogs.
- If you decide to take the dog home with you while you wait for the dog warden then remember they are likely to be scared and distressed. Keep a close eye on their body language and behaviour to keep them happy and your family safe. By law, you can’t keep a stray dog. If you want to rehome them then you can leave your details with the dog warden.
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There’s helpful advice on the RSPCA website about how to get help for animals as quickly as possible - check out their guides for lost cats and lost dogs, as well as information about how to report cruelty and neglect to the charity’s specialist teams.
Love dogs? Then check out our pet's section for more advice on everything from Why dogs eat grass to how to get rid of fleas on dogs . There's even a piece on how to help your pet live longer - and happier