Have you found a stray animal?
Read Maven Veterinary Surgery's guide to ensure you contact the correct people for help.
Stray Pets
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do with Stray Dogs
If the Dog is not injured
Contact the Local dog warden.
To do this please call the relevant council for the area where the dog was found.
The dog warden is the quickest way to reunite a dog with its owner.
Please be aware, stray dogs which are not injured may not be able to be admitted by your vet. This is due to the legal responsibility for stray dogs resting with the council and, if admitted by the vet this can complicate matters greatly.
If the Dog has minor injuries only
Contact the Local dog warden as they are responsible for all stray dogs and will arrange for treatment of minor injuries.
To do this please call the relevant council for the area where the dog was found.
The dog warden is the quickest way to reunite a dog with its owner.
Please be aware, stray dogs which are not injured may not be able to be admitted by your vet. This is due to the legal responsibility for stray dogs resting with the council and, if admitted by the vet this can complicate matters greatly.
If the Dog has major or life threatening injured
Contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
The RSPCA will either arrange for their inspector to come directly out to the dog or they may give you a log number and ask you to take the dog to a local vet for urgent treatment.
The log number is essential to allow vets to treat the dog while the owner is looked for.
You should also contact the local dog warden to advise them where the dog was found and where it was taken to in case the owner contacts the dog warden when trying to find their dog.
The dog warden you contact depends on the borough the dog is found in.
Merton Borough
Monday – Friday 9-5pm: 020 8545 3170; Out of hours: 08444 996 063
Sutton Borough
24 hours: 0208 770 5000
Epsom and Ewell Borough
Monday – Friday 9-5pm: 01372 732000; Out of Hours: 01372 732000
Kingston Borough
Monday to Friday 9-5pm: 020 85475003; Out of hours: 020 85475003
Contact details for the dog warden
The dog warden you contact depends on the borough the dog is found in.
If you are unsure which council to contact please use the following link:
Merton Borough
Monday – Friday 9-5pm: 020 8545 3170; Out of hours: 08444 996 063
Sutton Borough
24 hours: 0208 770 5000
Epsom and Ewell Borough
Monday – Friday 9-5pm: 01372 732000; Out of Hours 01932 844213
Kingston Borough
Monday to Friday 9-5pm: 0208547 5003; Out of hours: 01932 425718 or 07886 498003.
What to do with Stray Cats
If the Cat is injured
Contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999
The RSPCA will either direct you to bring the cat in to them directly or give you a log number and ask you to take the cat to a local vet.
The log number is essential to allow vets to treat the cat while the owner is looked for.
If the Cat is not injured
We need to determine if the cat is definitely a stray.
Most ‘stray cats’ turn out to be perfectly happy family pets that know exactly where they are! As cats roam when they are out, if the cat appears healthy then the best thing to do is to leave it where it is to find its own way home.
