Animal welfare

Lost and stray dogs

In Hammersmith & Fulham, lost and stray dogs can be reported for collection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Stray dogs

We will collect stray dogs that are confined and under your direct control and care.To arrange a collection of a stray dog, please call our contractor, the Islington Animal Welfare Service, on 07825 098 947 – 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

When a lost or stray dog is collected, we will do everything we can to contact the owner. If we cannot identify the owner, the dog is taken to kennels.

Suitable dogs not claimed within seven days are re-homed.

Lost dogs

If you have lost your dog and think it may have been collected by the Dog Warden Service in H&F, please call 07825 098 947.

You will be asked to provide:

  • proof of residential address (for example, utility bill)
  • proof of ownership (for example, kennel club registration, family pet photo, vet bill).

If we’ve collected your dog and can’t get in contact with you, your dog will have to be taken to kennels at a cost of £17 per night. There are also administration costs (£50) for any dog take into our care.

Microchipping your dog

Microchips provide a quick and easy way to reunite a dog with its owner.

They can save you money and your dog the stress of being taken to kennels. They are also a legal requirement.

By law, if your dog is over eight weeks old, it must be microchipped.

This means that your dog's full details (name, age, gender, breed, description) and your full name, address and phone number are recorded on a government-approved database, ensuring that we can return your pet straight away

Vets usually charge about £15 for this. In some cases, it’s a free service. You can speak to a trusted vet or animal charity today about this.

If your dog isn't microchipped, you could be fined up to £500.

Or visit GOV.UK for more information.

Dog problems?

  • How to prevent your dog being stolen

    Keep an eye on your dog at all times

    The most important thing to do is keep an eye on your dog at all times. When you are out in public make sure you know where they are, and if they can’t be trusted off the lead then don’t risk it. Keep your dog on your property when you are at home, don’t let them wander around the neighbourhood.

    Secure your garden

    Only leave your dog in your garden if it is secure. It’s worth checking fences for gaps and getting gates put in to keep your dog enclosed. You don’t want them to be able to escape, or anyone to get into your garden easily.

    Don’t leave your dog in your car

    If you leave your dog in your car with the windows down then they are a sitting target to thieves. They can easily force open windows or reach in and grab your dog, it only takes a few seconds.

    Don’t leave your dog outside shops

    For a long time it has been a common sight to see a dog tied up outside a shop. Due to the increase in dog theft, and some dogs being stolen in this situation, it’s probably best to refrain from doing it. If you have to walk to the shops with your dog take someone with you to sit outside with them.

    Report any incidents

    If you see any suspicious behaviour or people come up to you and start asking strange questions about your dog, report it. You could prevent an incident from happening in the first place.

    Be wary of strangers

    Be wary of anyone who comes to your front door, or admires your dog in the park. Do not let them hold your dog or take photo’s with them, it could just be a way of distracting you.

    Collars, tags & microchips

    Your dog must have a collar with an ID tag on it. Put your second name, phone number and address. Do not put your dog’s name on the tag, as someone trying to steal them will try and call their name to get them to come over. Get your dog microchipped and state on their tag that they are microchipped. Microchipping is compulsory for every dog from 6 April 2016. Certified working dogs are exempt.

    Keep your documents safe

    Keep all your dog’s insurance and important documents somewhere safe. That way you can easily access them in an emergency.

    Check up on dog walkers or sitters

    Don’t just hand your dog over to anyone, even if you get a recommendation from a friend it’s worth doing a background check. Try and find out if they are registered with any bodies and whether or not they have any qualifications.

    Fit alarms or bells

    Get alarms installed or bells fitted to your garden gates so that they will alert you to any intruders. They might also put off any potential dog thieves.

    Train excellent recall

    Take the time to train your dog to come back to you on command. This will help if you need to get them to come back to you quickly, if you think they are in danger. It also means they are less likely to run off on walks and in public places.

  • Barking dogs and dog issues on private land
  • Dog fouling on the street
  • All dog issues in parks
  • Dog issues in council housing or land
  • Dog fighting and dogs used for criminal activity or anti-social behaviour
  • Animal cruelty or neglect

Quicklinks