Dogs: lost and stray

• What is a 'stray dog'
• What to do if you spot a stray dog in Fenland
• Report a stray dog
• What not to do with stray dogs
• What we do following a stray dog report
• Microchipping pets
• Reporting your lost dog
• When reporting a lost or stray dog to us
• Reclaiming a lost dog
• Abandoned dogs and unwanted pets
• Dangerous Dogs Act

Stray dogs

A stray dog is a loose dog without supervision in a public place, or land where it does not have permission to be. This does not include dogs that have been abandoned - that is dogs that have been tied up or left at a business or residential premises. 

If you find a stray dog, check if it has an identity tag. If it does, contact the owner and arrange for them to collect it.

What to do if you spot a stray dog

If you spot a stray dog and safely contain it, please do so. Never put yourself in danger by trying to contain a stray dog. 

If you spot a stray dog but can't contain it, please report it to us.

Check for an identity tag

If the stray dog has an identity tag, you can contact the owner and arrange for them to collect it. If you are concerned about the dog's condition or welfare please contact the RSPCA. 

If there's no identity tag and you don't know who a stray belongs to

If a stray dog does not have an identity tag and you don't know who it belongs to, report it to us. 

Report a stray dog

Please only report to us dogs found in Fenland. Dogs found elsewhere should be reported to the local authority where the dog was found. 

During office hours, you can report a stray dog to us using our online form. We are able to provide a stray dog collection during normal office hours. Please note online reports will not be seen outside of office hours. 

Outside of office hours

Out of hours we provide a stray dog reception centre, where dogs can be taken to by appointment. To do this call 01354 654321. Please hold the line and listen to all options carefully. 

What not to do with stray dogs

We advise against using unofficial dog warden services and making appeals to find owners on social media sites. Dogs are precious and valuable and people are known to claim dogs that don't belong to them. 

What we do following a stray dog report

We can only collect a stray dog in office hours and once contained. Stray dogs can also be taken to our reception centre by appointment. 

All stray dogs are checked for identification and micro-chips. We keep a register of all lost and found dogs to aid reuniting them. 

We will care for the stray dog in kennels for seven days. 

If the dog is not claimed in that time we will sign the dog over to a rehoming organisation. 

Microchipping pets

By law, dogs (and cats) must be micro-chipped. If your pet is lost this makes it must more likely that you'll be reunited. 

The microchip should hold the owner's most up to date contact details in an approved database. 

If a dog without a microchip is found or reported to us, we will work with the owner to ensure that it is micro-chipped as appropriate. 

You're responsible for keeping your pet's microchip information up to date, for example if you move house. Contact your database company your dog or cat is registered with to update any of your details. 

Reporting your lost dog

If your dog goes missing, report it to us immediately. 

We keep a register of lost dogs and will match the details of your pet with any stray dogs reported to us. 

When reporting a stray or lost dog to us

Please provide any of the following information, if known:

• where the dog was found/lost, and if not on public land, the landowner's details
• the time and date the dog was found/lost
• the finders'/your details
• the dog's details including if known: breed, gender, colour of dog and any identifying marks and any identification on dog (e.g. collar)
• any known details about the owner

Reclaiming a lost dog

If your dog is picked up or taken in by us we will try to reunite you with it as soon as possible. Reporting your lost dog to us helps us to do this, as does having an up-to-date microchip.

Dogs will only be returned to their owner once all fees, fines and costs have been paid. These may include:

• a statutory fine
• an admin fee
• kenneling fees
• any other essential costs incurred, such as vet fees. 

Fees can be found on our Finance page. 

If a dog is not claimed within seven days it will be made available for re-homing to the public. This means it could have a new legal owner. 

Abandoned dogs and unwanted pets

We cannot take abandoned animals or unwanted pets. We recommend you contact the RSPCA.

Dangerous Dogs Act

The police are responsible for investigating and enforcing the Dangerous Dogs Act, please report any related enquiries to Cambridgeshire Police.

Further information can be found at: Cambridgeshire Constabulary - Animal Crime.