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FOUND PETS

If you've found a lost animal, follow our advice to help reunite pets with their owners.
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Found Animals

Stray Cats

How to help a stray cat

It can be hard to tell if a cat is stray, is roaming but owned or living as a feral. 

Here's what to do if you find a stray, feral or lost cat:
 

  1. Check to see if the cat is wearing a collar or tag with the contact details of the owner - only approach if the cat is calm.
     

  2. Ask around locally. Cats roam over a wide area and sometimes they can be mistaken for strays even when they have owners.
     

  3. Contact the local vet to scan for a microchip as by law all cats should be microchipped.  Cats can also be scanned by contacting a local animal rescue centre.
     

  4. Advertise on social media and ask around locally.
     

  5. Register the found cat on Animal Search UK, exclusively used by national RSPCA inspectors.

Found an injured stray cat

If you find an injured stray or feral cat, they're approachable and its safe to do so,  contain them and take them to a vet.

 

If you're taking a sick or injured stray cat to the vet and the cat just needs minimum care, you might be expected to take the cat away and fit a paper collar if needed.

 

Contact your local animal rescue centre or cat charity to see if they can help, these can be found online or via social media.

Stray Dogs

How to help a stray dog

Follow these steps to help reunite the dog with their owner;

 

  1. Check to see if the dog is wearing a collar or tag with the contact details of the owner. Only approach if calm.
     

  2. Stay clear if the dog’s displaying aggressive behaviour and the local dog warden.
     

  3. Report the stray dog to the council. All local authorities provide a dog warden service. Information about your local authority's dog warden service can be found via these links: 

    https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/stray-dogs
     

  4. Contact the local vet to scan for a microchip as by law all dogs should be microchipped.  Dogs can also be scanned by the dog warden or by contacting a local animal rescue centre.
     

  5. Contact local animal rescue centres and report the found dog.
     

  6. Register the found dog on Animal Search UK, exclusively used by national RSPCA inspectors.
     

  7. Use social media to check local groups and announce that you’ve found a dog. Spread the word locally.

Found an injured stray dog

If you believe a dog is sick, injured please contact your local vet.
 

If the dog is in imminent danger or in a dangerous location contact emergency services. Never put yourself in danger.

Rehoming stray dogs

Stray dogs are the responsibility of your local authority’s dog warden. Contacting them is the quickest way for you to help the dog. 

Remember it’s illegal to keep a stray dog but if you want to rehome the dog, leave your details with the warden.

Stray Rabbits

How to help a stray rabbit

It can be hard to tell if a rabbit is stray, is roaming but owned or living as a feral.

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Here's what to do if you find a stray rabbit:

 

  1. Ask around locally. Rabbits can escape from gardens, runs and hutches so may not be far from home.
     

  2. Contact the local vet to scan for a microchip.  Rabbits can also be scanned by contacting a local animal rescue centre.
     

  3. Advertise on social media and ask around locally.
     

  4. Register the found rabbit on Animal Search UK, exclusively used by national RSPCA inspectors.

Found an injured stray rabbit

If you find an injured stray rabbit, catch the rabbit if you are able to and it’s safe to do so,  contain them and take them to a vet.​​

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