ONLINE REGISTRATION
The RSPCA now use a website called Animal Search UK to register any stray or found animals that come into their care. The service is completely free to use to both register a found animal or to advertise your missing pet. The free website also provides both practical guidance and expert support over the phone and via email, so you can contact them for further assistance.
MICROCHIPPING & IDENTIFICATION
Any stray or found animal that goes to a veterinary surgery, rescue centre or dog warden will be scanned for a microchip. If your pet is microchipped, please contact your microchip company to flag them as missing and to ensure that your contact details are up to date.
It is now a legal requirement that all dogs are microchipped, and it is also law that any dog in a public place must wear an ID tag with their keeper’s surname and address (including postcode). Woodside offers microchipping and ID tag engraving at a low cost, please click here for more details.
STRAY & LOST DOGS
We do not take in stray dogs, and are instead required to report them to the Local Authority Dog Warden. To report a lost or stray dog, please contact your council’s Dog Warden. The contact numbers (including out of hours) can be found on your council’s website.
POSTERS & SOCIAL MEDIA
Putting up posters and sharing your lost pet on social media might seem basic, but it can be very effective. To make your posters as helpful as possible, you should ideally include:
- The name, gender, age, colour of the pet and any identifying features
- The exact location where they went missing (including postcode)
- If they are microchipped or not
- If they are neutered (spayed/castrated) or not
- The exact date that they were last seen
- More than one telephone number to contact
We also encourage you to speak to all your neighbours, local vets and rescue centres in case they have seen your pet. Ask your neighbours to check their garages and sheds in case your pet has accidentally been shut inside.