Lost or stray dogs​

If you have found a lost or a stray dog, please try to secure it in a safe location and report it to the council’s dog warden.

We cannot collect dogs that have not been secured or go out to sightings of dogs. The dog warden will aim to collect the dog from you or will advise on alternative actions you can take.  

During council open hours

Call 01353 665555 and ask for the dog warden.

Monday to Thursday 8:45am to 5pm
Friday 8:45am to 4:30pm 

Out of council opening hours  

Outside the council opening times, bank holidays and weekends, please call 07710 978900.

The officer on call will give you instructions to take the dog to our designated kennels or ask you to hold the dog until the next working day when the dog warden may be able to collect it.  

The dog owner then has 7 days to reclaim their dog. Any dogs unclaimed after the seventh day will be re-homed, and the original owner will no longer have any claim to the dog. 

Lost dogs

Call the council offices to see if your dog has been handed in, or complete our report a lost or found dog form. We will require a good description of your dog and your name and address. Details will then be matched with reported strays.

Report a lost or found dog

Other actions you can take include:

  • ringing around local vets and animal shelters, to see if your dog has been handed directly to them. You can contact Wood Green Animal Shelter on 0300 303 9333
  • check your local area, including the route you normally walk your dog
  • if you live near the East Cambridgeshire border, ring the neighbouring council’s dog wardens in case your dog has been picked up in a different district
  • call the micro chipping company to report the dog as lost or stolen, remember to update them if or when you find your dog 

Stray dog expenses

The council is entitled to charge all expenses reasonably incurred, which includes one or more of the following:

  • statutory fee: £25.00
  • administration fee: £10.20
  • kennelling charge: £16.50
  • Wood Green fee: £41.00
  • stray dog collection: £51.00

You will not be entitled to get your dog back unless you pay the appropriate charge first and you will be expected to collect your dog from the kennels. Details and directions of the holding kennels will be given once full payment has been made.