chloelogoa

          Lost and Found Dogs          

 talalogoa

Lost and Found Dogs
Keeping Your Dog Safe
Groups that can Help

If you find a dog~ The law says you must;

Return it to its owner if you know who they are

Do not be too hasty in collecting a dog which you think is lost.  It may know its way back home and it may be best to leave it.

Examine the dog running loose for a collar tag and any tatooed numbers possibly in the ear or in the inside thigh.  This may give some indication as to the owners.  If the dog is wearing a name tag contact the owners direct.  Be tactful at all times as some owners can be abusive because they feel worried or guilty.

If you find a dog without a name tag you are legally required to contact the local dog wardens as near as possible to the place where you found the dog.  If the dog wardens are unavailable take the dog to the nearest rescue centre or vet  and ask that the dog be checked for any form of ID for example a microchip.

You should not defer sending  it to a rescue society "because you think they will put it down", since this reduces the owner's chance of finding it. Remember that however neglected a dog looks, this could be a result of living rough rather than bad treatment, and somewhere the owner could be desperately searching for it.

You may be able to keep the dog in your home untill the owners are found or you may be able to retain it.  A dog warden will visit you and you will be required to keep the dog at your address for a period of one month and must be prepared to hand the dog back to the original owner if they claim him back.  If you dont keep the dog it will be cared for in kennels for 7 days after which it becomes the property of the Local Authority. They can "dispose of it as they think fit" which may mean putting it down but many areas rehome the dogs or give them to re-homing charities. Your Dog Warden can advise about shelters in your area who operate a 'non destruction poilicy'

In the case of a dog being retained by the finder, the dog legally remains 'found property' and the original owner can reclaim him at any time.  Therefore, the dog never truly becomes the property of the finder.
Change of responsibility for Stray Dogs


If you find a dog and would like to adopt it yourself you need to follow the following procedures: 

 

Report the fact you have found the dog to the relevant authorities.

When you do this give them your details and let them know you are interested. You will then go through the usual adoption procedure (if the owner of the dog has not been found). If the organisation feels you are the right person for the dog you can adopt it. Remember to keep in touch with the kennels or dog warden as this will show that you are serious about rehoming the dog.

If you want to do more, notify rescue groups and Pet search of your find and put notices in local shop windows/ newpapers.

If you want to keep the dog, ask the Dog Warden for a notice entitling you to do so. If you just keep it you are guilty of theft.

Losing your Dog.
Losing your dog can be a very stressful time.  Many dogs do find their own way home, but it is recommended that you take immediate action if your dog is lost.  The more identification your dog is wearing if he becomes lost, the easier it will be for anyone finding him to get him back home.  It is a legal requirement that all dogs should wear a collar and tag, with the owner's name and address inscribed on it.  More and more dog owners are having their dogs tatooed or an electronic identity chip implanted in the neck, so that they can more readily identify their dog.

If your dog gets lost on a walk, turn round and follow the route by which you came, back to its starting point.  The dog has two oportunities to pick up your scent, and can also follow his own tracks.  A dog will often return to the place where you parked the car.

Many dogs will remain close to the place they became lost, especially when in woodland, but if the dog has become bewildered it may conceal itself from humans, even its owners.

Visit the place in which the dog was last seen early in the morning and at dusk each day and be prepared to wait quietly for some time after putting bowls of food and water down.  Walk about slowly as dogs see moving figures more easily than those which remain still.

It may help to take a familiar canine companion to the scene, a bitch in season can work wonders for attracting a male.

Report the loss separately to every police station, veterinary center and rescue kennels in the area incase the dog has been found injured.
If your dog is wearing an ID tag it is likely that the police or local authority will return him to you.

In the UK Medallions obtainable from the National Canine Defence League bear the words 'If found injured, call a veterinary surgeon, the fee will be paid'.  The vets charges remain the owners responsibility, but you are assured that no-one will be reluctant to have the dog treated.  Most canine veterinary insurance policies give some cover towards the costs of advertising and reward for a missing dog.
 
Local Authority Dog Warden: These are the people who will probably pick up your dog if it is straying onto the streets. To find a contact for your local dog warden visit the National Dog warden Association website: www.ndwa.co.uk

Most dog wardens work normal office hours Monday - Friday.

Dacorum
01442 228418 
Three Rivers 
01923 776611
Watford
01923 278503
St Albans 
01727 819371
Hertsmere
0208 2077435
Welwyn Hatfield
01707 357822
Broxbourne
01992 785577
East Herts 
01279 655261
North Herts 
01462 474000
Stevenage
01438 242908
 
Local Authority Environmental Health Department: These are the people who will likely pick your dog up if it has been run over and killed.

Police station: Give them a detailed description of your dog and a contact number in case he is found. Be sure to get a report reference number.

Kennels and rehoming centres: Many local authorities have contracts with bigger kennels, such as the NCDL and RSPCA, and they may have your dog in their care.There are also many smaller private kennels where your dog may have been taken. Look in your local phone book for details.

Notices: Sometimes a kind hearted member of the public may have taken your dog in; we strongly recommend against this, but it does happen. Put up posters in your local area, in shops, libraries, supermarkets and veterinary surgeries. Also consider contacting Pet search, a National network of volunteers who will help you look for your dog. Call them on 01225 705175.

It is essential that you provide your pet with enough mental and physical stimulation to try and avoid him straying. Dogs stray when they are bored and looking for adventure.

Another reason for straying is biological urges. To avoid this get your dog neutered. It will also help you to avoid the unwanted patter of tiny feet. Soon the 'urge' will go away and he will stop trying to escape.

back to top
**********************
How to go about finding your pet

Keeping Your Dog Safe

Don't leave your dog outside when you're not around.

Never leave your dog unattended. It takes only a moment to untie him and lead him off.

Be aware, and make sure your neighbours are aware, of the problem of pet theft. Let your neighbours know if you are expecting people on your property if you are not around, so they know to call the police if someone unexpected shows up.

Never allow your dog to roam free in the neighbourhood for everyone's sake.  Male dogs are more motivated to wander from home than females. Secure your property. Ensure the fence is solid and unbroken, and of a height to enclose the dog.  For dogs with an inclination to dig or burrow, fencing must be buried in the ground. Make sure your gate is closed (and preferably locked).

Never leave your dog unattended in a car.

Always make sure he wears a collar with his ID tags. You might want to consider implanting a microchip under his skin. Rescue Centers and veterinary hospitals use microchips to identify lost animals and reunite them with their owners.

Keep recent photos of your dog, taken from different angles that clearly show coat type and colouring, close-ups of the face and any exceptional physical characteristics.

Keep all your proof-of-ownership papers (adoption, breeding contract, bill of sale) in one place to prove ownership.

If the unthinkable happens, don't panic. Call the police and the local dog warden if you believe your dog has been stolen, then begin your own search. Contact your local vet surgery.  Staff will be able to keep an eye on the animals coming in but ask them if you can also put up a poster about your missing dog.  Search the area, talk to neighbours and passersby.  Get in touch with all animal rescue centers in your area and contact your local media - newspapers, radio and TV if possible.  The more publicity, the greater the chances are that your dog will be found. Walk or drive slowly through the area several times daily.  Hand out copies of recent photographs.  Notify The Kennel Club if your pet is a pedigree and let your insurers know.  Post an entry on missing pet websites.

If you are reunited with your pet remember to notify everyone.

Groups to help
DogLost.co.uk

Detect a Pet

 £10 charge to enter details  01628-525485
Pet search

 Free to enter details
 01225-705175
National Strays Bureau.

Lost reports
Found reports
0897-123999 (£1.50/minute)
0990-168220 (National Rate)
Lost Dogs UK.
 		 http://www.lostdogsuk.com/
Pet search (UK)
 		 http://www.ukpetsearch.freeuk.com/
Pet Detectives

 June Bailey
mailto:petdetectives50@hotmail.com
01903772176
Dog Theft Action

 http://www.dogtheftaction.com/
Lost-Doggies

 http://www.lost-doggies.com/
Missing Pets Bureau

 http://www.missingpetsbureau.com

Animal Search UK

 http://www.animalsearchuk.com

Email  info@animalsearchuk.com
Tel: 01432 761 706
Tom   0788 43 169 43
PetLog
 http://www.petlog.org.uk

chloebutton   talabutton