Any pet found by the RSPCA will be registered exclusively at www.animalsearchuk.co.uk. The auto-matching system will help to match those animals up to owners who have registered their missing pets on www.animalsearchuk.co.uk.
Lost or Found an Animal?
If you have lost a pet we know that it can be a very worrying and difficult time, and that you want to do all you can to find your pet. Below we suggest some ways you can try to help find your missing pet.
Stray dogs are the responsibility of your Local Authority so do give them a call. Your milkman and postman, etc. may also be able to help by looking out for your pet on their rounds. You could contact your local police to ask if they are aware of an animal of that description being found; especially dogs.
The RSPCA suggests you register your animal with pets Animal Search UK, see above, an online resource to reunite owners with their missing pets. Another good site to register a lost/found pet with is Pets Reunited.
We also suggest you contact local vets to give them a description of your lost animal, and you can make enquiries with your local RSPCA. For our Branch, this is 0300 999 7321 (daily, 9 am to 4.30 pm). Also contact other rescues local to you, such as Cats Protection, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust, etc. as appropriate to the animal missing.
You could consider putting up posters in your area with a picture of your pet and contact details, for example in newsagents and schools. Local newspapers may have a section for advertising lost pets and you could even ask local radio stations if they can make an announcement about your search.
It is also very worth while spreading the word on local Facebook pages and sites such as nextdoor.com to connect with local people who may have seen your pet.
Be sure to get your pets microchipped in case they go missing in the future. We are able to offer this service for £10 for one pet and £15 for two pets. Please contact 0300 999 7321 for more info or to make an appt.
If you have exhausted all of the above or have information that the RSPCA may have picked up your animal, please call the National Cruelty and Help Line 0300 1234 999 (between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week).
If you find a stray dog
Collecting stray dogs is the responsibility of your local council, so please call their Dog Warden services directly. Unfortunately, the RSPCA cannot collect healthy stray dogs and we cannot accept stray dogs at our Animal Centre.
If the dog is sick or injured, please call the National Cruelty and Help Line on 0300 1234 999 (between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week). Please note, due to the high volume of calls received and limited resources, the National Society aren’t always able to respond as quickly as they would like. Please be patient. If you’re concerned the situation is worsening, please contact them again.
Is it a stray or a feral cat?
If the cat is not friendly and approachable, it may be a feral. These cats are able to look after themselves. So long as a feral cat is healthy, they will live happily outside.
If the cat is approachable and friendly, it may be a stray cat that belongs to someone.
If you find you have a stray cat in your garden/property:
DO NOT FEED IT! This will only encourage cat to come back; it may be someone’s pet.
Do not allow it to come indoors.
Is the cat in good condition? Then it may have an owner.
Finding an owner
Cats roam over a wide area, so ask around to see if anyone knows who it belongs to.
If possible, take the cat to your local vet to see if it is microchipped – this will not cost you.
If this isn’t possible but you can get close enough to put a collar on it, then download the RSPCA’s Paper Cat Collars. Take precautions when approaching the cat and fixing the collar.
You can also download and print a Found Poster and Lost and Found Contact List
If you have concerns about a sick or injured stray, call the National Cruelty and Help Line on 0300 1234 999 (between 8 am and 8 pm).