K9 Search UK

  FOR LOST DOGS

• Dont panic!  Yes, its hard not to, but its important that you remain focused if you want to successfully find your dog.
  
  
• If your dog is a certain breed its fairly easy to identify, however, problems can occur when you have a crossbreed. When making contact with people, rather than giving it a breed - describe the dog, specific markings or scars that makes your dog unique.  Eg: You know your dog as a German Shepherd Cross, but your dog actually looks like a black and tan collie cross - dont be tempted to label it with a specific breed.
  
  
• Call your local authority dog warden (see our contact information page)
  
  
• If your local authority uses a sub contractor to collect out of hours strays, ask your council for their contact details and call.  Some councils may not give out their details, in cases like this, ask the council to pursue on your behalf. But check back to ensure it has actually been done.
  
  
• Even though the police are no longer responsible for stray dogs, contact your local station - they may still have a lost and found register.  If your dog is stolen, insist on a crime reference number.
  
  
• Contact your local stray dog kennels.  (Contact information can be obtained from your local authority.
  
  
• Contact your local RSPCA centre, if you dont have one contact the national number on 0300 1234999
  
  
• Is your dog microchipped or tattooed?
  
  Find the paperwork and contact them as soon as possible.  Ensure that your details are upto date and add an emergency number (preferably a mobile or a number that will ALWAYS be answered).

 FOR FOUND DOGS

• Your own safety is paramount, do NOT attempt to mess around with any dog that is showing signs of aggression or is fearful.
  
  
• If you have children please do NOT allow them to play with a found dog, its from an unknown background and may not like children.
  
  
• If your found dog appears friendly towards other animals still be observant.  And remember the found dog may have an underlying illness so unless your pets are fully vaccinated, please keep them apart.
  
  
• If the found dog is wearing a collar, check for a tag with owners details.  Also check for handwritten contact details on the actual collar inside and out.  If you are fortunate enough to find contact info, please call the owners a.s.a.p.
  
  
• Carefully check for tattoo markings on the inside and outside of the dogs ears.  Maybe worth checking the inner rear thighs too.
  
  
• You have done everything physically possible to find the owner yourself now you have to seek the help of a vet.  Take the found dog to any vet to check for a microchip.  This should be free of charge.  If a chip is found the vet will contact Petlog for owners details, either Petlog or vet will contact the owners.
  
  
• No chip, no tattoo, no collar/tag - time to call the dog warden!  Please contact the local council offices for the area in which the dog was found.
  
  
• Contact local stray kennels and ask them to check their register for any possible matches.
  
  
• Look out in local shops and newspapers for missing dog posters. Place a found posters adverts in shops and newspapers.
  

• Once you have exhausted all lines of enquiry, do not be tempted to keep the stray without consultation with the local area dog warden.  You could face prosecution and a hefty fine.
  
  
• Many finders do not notify dog wardens because they fear a dog will be put to sleep once it goes into kennels.  All stray dogs are entitled to 7 clear waiting days before their future can be decided.  Remember if an owner is looking for their dog, the first place they will visit is their local stray kennels.  After the 7 waiting days, a dog maybe either rehomed or put to sleep. Most kennels in our region only put dogs to sleep for medical reasons and on a vets recommendation or a dog showing signs of severe aggression.  They maybe left with no alternative when they have attempted all avenues of rehoming, it really is not fair on a dog to be kennelled indefinitely.
  
  
• If you wish to keep a found dog, you can do so with the consent of the dog warden.  You will be required by law to keep the dog for a period of one month.  However, after the one month passes, you will NOT become the legal owner.
  The true owner can request the return of their dog at any time, they only have to provide you with "reasonable costs".
  
  
• If you want to keep the dog. but choose to allow the dog its 7 clear waiting days in kennels.  You can ask the dog warden to allow the dog to be returned to you.  Some councils will "gift" the dog to the finder (free from charge) however others may charge a minimal fee. Once the dog has cleared its 7 clear waiting day, the dog legally becomes yours.
  
  
• Please do NOT assume that every stray is an abandoned dog.  Unlike the TV adverts, there may be an owner actually looking for the dog that you have found.  Also do not assume an owner is irresponsible, accidents do happen.