What to do if you've found a dog

22 May 2023

If you find a stray dog and cannot contact its owner, report the dog and its location to your local authority who are responsible for coming to collect the animal.  For the Battersea area, the local authority is Wandsworth Council. if you are unsure who your local authority is or who to contact, then please visit the Government website.

Dog with floppy ears looks at camera while being held over the shoulder in an open field

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What to do if you've found a dog

If you decide to take the dog into your own home, and feel it is safe to do so, then it is recommended to do the following:  

  • Take the dog to your local vet or rescue centre to be checked over and scanned for a microchip.
  • Report the dog to your local authority (see above).
  • Report the missing dog to your local rescue centres. 
  • Spread the word - create a found poster and put it up around the area where you found the dog, share a photo of the dog on social media and on any lost dogs websites.
  • If you find the dog's owner please remember to inform those who are still looking and take down any found posters.