Stray and lost dogs
Ealing Council has a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deal with stray dogs.
To do this we work in partnership with SDK Environmental Ltd.
If you find a stray dog
If you find a stray dog, first check for an identification tag on the collar. A dog should legally wear an identification tag in public, containing the name and address of the owner. This can help you reunite the dog with its owner.
If you find a dog that has no identifiable owner, please call 03444 828 320.
Confined stray dogs
- available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- when a person has found a dog, they will need to confine it. The service will only collect confined dogs for example in the house, shed or garage
Roaming stray dogs
- available from 9am to 5pm, 5 days a week from Monday to Friday
- our contractor will pick up a stray dog (if practical) if it is roaming free and not under the control of any person
- roaming stray dogs cannot be collected from private land without the landowner's consent
- if an owner can be identified and contacted, and lives within the borough, the dog will be returned directly to them. If not, the dog is taken to kennels
- if the owner cannot be identified or contacted the dog will become the property of the council and will be gifted for re-homing after 7 days
If you have lost a dog
If you have lost your dog, visit the SDK found dogs website.
Proof of ownership will be required and fees will need to be paid prior to being reunited with your dog.
Microchips
It is a legal requirement to microchip your dog and puppies when they reach 8 weeks of age. Not having your dog microchipped could lead to a fine of up to £2,500.
You must register your dogs identity and keeper details on a database, and keep the chip up-to-date. A new keeper must do this on the transfer of a dog's ownership.
Your local vet will offer a microchip service at a low cost and hold its registration details on a database.
We'll try to return your dog provided the microchip details are correct.
Fees for returning a dog
There is a statutory fee for the return of a dog to its owner, as well as chargeable fees.
If we pick up a dog and it is taken to kennels there will be a fee for its return. These charges are collected by our contractor and must be paid in full before the dog is returned. The fees are as follows:
- statutory fee £25
- collection fee £70
- admin fee £50
- kennelling fee per day £26
- return dog from kennel £0
- any veterinary fees and charges which have been incurred
Once all fees have been paid your dog will be returned to you at a mutually convenient time.
Dogs can only be returned to addresses within the borough. Alternatively you may collect the dog from the holding facility by appointment.
London database
You can also view the Battersea Lost Dogs and Cats website.
They have a database of lost dogs from across London, and you can check if its details match any dogs found and handed in.