Lost & Found Dogs

It’s astonishing how many dogs do get lost every day, whether out walking or by escaping from their home – do always keep your dog in mind and in sight when out walking and check they can’t get out of your garden, regularly. Fireworks and stormy weather are noticeably peak times for losing dogs so take extra care of them then! But it can happen to any of us…so what should you do? Obviously stay in the area calling them for a long time to start with, they may well make their way back to you eventually, if not then…

The first thing to do is to report it to the local dog warden as they may already have your dog, all the local ones are listed below. If your dog is both microchipped & tagged (as required by law now) you should be able to get them back quickly – many people now take a dog they’ve found to a local vet to be scanned and then they can come quickly back to you.

You can reach a lot of people in Dorset who may be able to help you look and put up posters by using http://www.doglost.co.uk/.  Doglost offers lots of advice and help on what to do if your dog is lost and local volunteers connected to doglost go out to help on searches.

Some local social media sites and websites who will help publicise missing or found animals include:
www.facebook.com/groups/AnimalsLosfFoundDorset/  
www.facebook.com/groups/PetsLostandFoundInDorset/
www.facebook.com/groups/DOGSLOSTANDFOUNDANDSTOLENINDORSET/

Dogs Lost Found Stolen Dorset: www.dlfsdorset.co.uk

You can also use Dorset Dogs Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dorsetdogs, just post doglost details on the visitors posts, you do not need to ask us first. We ask for doglost links to be used as they are updated once a dog is found, otherwise posts can keep being shared after dogs are reunited.

Found or lost a dog?

Microchips:  If you’ve found a dog they might be microchipped – a local vet or your local animal welfare officer (dog warden) can check. 

Keep your dog’s details up-to-date on the microchip register – then even if they lose their tag it’s going to be the quickest way to reunite you.  From 6 April 2016 microchips and up-to-date details are compulsory for all dogs in England.

If you have lost or found a dog see below for who to contact – if you have lost your dog make sure you contact your local dog warden as they are the most likely person to know where your dog is if they have already been picked up, plus check/inform doglost and the social media groups above.

Please note: The Police no longer take responsibility for stray dogs and will not accept them at the Police station

Nationally

Online sites help to locate lost dogs and you can register to help too:  www.doglost.co.uk

Drone SAR for Lost Dogs UK: www.facebook.com/groups/DroneSARforLostDogsUK/
National Pet Register: www.nationalpetregister.org

Locally

Bournemouth

Christchurch

Dorset Council area (East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland)

Poole

  • Agreement in place with local out-of-hours vet service means that any stray dogs found between 8pm-8am can be delivered to the vets by the finder, the vet holds them until the next working day.
  • Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm call 01202 261700
  • At all other times (Out-of-Hours, Bank Holidays and weekends) call 0800 506050
  • Animal Welfare Officer (Dog Warden): 01202 261700
  • Information and report lost dogs online: www.poole.gov.uk/environmental-problems/dogs/stray-or-lost-dogs/