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LOST AND FOUND

If you've lost your pet or found a lost animal, follow our advice to help reunite pets with their owners.
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Found animals

Stray dogs

How to help a stray dog

We are not licensed to accept stray dogs. All stray dogs must be reported to the Dog Wardens.

 

Follow these steps to help reunite the dog with their owner;

 

  1. Check to see if the dog is wearing a collar or tag with the contact details of the owner. Only approach if calm.
     

  2. Stay clear if the dog’s displaying aggressive behaviour and the local dog warden.
     

  3. Report the stray dog to the council. All local authorities provide a dog warden service. Information about your local authority's dog warden service can be found via the link below: 

    • Wirral Borough Council
     

  4. Contact the local vet to scan for a microchip as by law all dogs should be micro-chipped.  Dogs can also be scanned by the dog warden or by contacting a local animal rescue centre.
     

  5. Register the found dog on Animal Search UK, exclusively used by national RSPCA inspectors.
     

  6. Use social media to check local groups and announce that you’ve found a dog. Spread the word locally.

Found an injured stray dog

If you believe a dog is sick, injured please contact your local vet or animal centre.
 

If the dog is in imminent danger or in a dangerous location contact emergency services. Never put yourself in danger.

Rehoming stray dogs

Stray dogs are the responsibility of your local authority’s dog warden. Contacting them is the quickest way for you to help the dog. 

We are not legally allowed to collect or admit stray dogs as we are not licensed to accept them.

Remember it’s illegal to keep a stray dog but if you want to rehome the dog, leave your details with the warden.

Stray cats

How to help a stray cat

It can be hard to tell if a cat is stray, is roaming but owned or living as a feral. 

Here's what to do if you find a stray, or lost cat:
 

  • Check to see if the cat is wearing a collar or tag with the contact details of the owner - only approach if the cat is calm.
     

  • If the cat is friendly you can make a simple paper collar with a strip of A4 paper with a note to a potential owner. See the link here to find out how.
     

  • Ask around locally. Cats roam over a wide area and can sometimes be mistaken for strays, even when they have owners. 
     

  • Advertise on social media and ask around locally. Facebook - Wirral Missing Pets  is very popular in our area.
     

  • Contact the local vet to scan for a microchip as by law all cats should be microchipped.  Cats can also be scanned by contacting a local animal rescue centre.
     

  • Register the found cat on Animal Search UK, exclusively used by national RSPCA inspectors.

Found an injured stray cat

If you find an injured stray or feral cat, they're approachable and its safe to do so,  contain them and take them to a vet.

 

If you're taking a sick or injured stray cat to the vet and the cat just needs minimum care, you might be expected to take the cat away and fit a paper collar if needed.

 

Contact your local animal rescue centre or cat charity to see if they can help, these can be found online or via social media.

Lost animals

Lost your pet

What you can do

Losing your pet is overwhelming, here's what to do step-by-step;

 

  • Contact your pet's microchip database and report them missing.
     

  • Check the local area (smaller animals such as cats and rabbits can take shelter or unknowingly be locked in sheds, garages and other small spaces).
     

  • Contact veterinary surgeries,  local animal rescue centres and other animal charities.
     

  • Report your pet as missing on Animal Search UK.
     

  • Check social media for reports of locally found pets.
     

  • For a lost dog contact your local dog warden.​

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  • Information about your local authority's dog warden service can be found via the link below:​​

    •     Wirral Borough Council

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  • Contact the Police if you believe your pet has been stolen.

Animal Search UK and the RSPCA?

Animal Search UK is the leading search service for missing pets in the UK. 

 

Any pet found by the RSPCA will be registered exclusively with Animal Search UK. 

 

Using their animal matching database will help link animals with their owners who have registered their missing pet.

 

The site is:

 

  • Easy to register your pet as missing
     

  • Advice and information available 7 days a week
     

  • Successful at reuniting animals with their owners

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