Animal welfare

Our duties include to seize stray dogs, inspect and licence animal establishments and promote responsible pet ownership within the borough.

Stray dogs

The Animal Welfare Service help to collect stray dogs and reunite them with their owners.

According to the law, a dog is stray if it is unsupervised in any public place or any private area without the owner's consent. If you allow your dog to stray, you may have to pay a fee to claim your dog.

To report a stray dog or missing dog, call us on:

During opening hours, we will try to collect the dog if the animal welfare officer is available. If we have collected your dog and it is microchipped and/or wearing a collar with your details on it we will contact you.

Outside of opening hours, we offer a reception point for stray dogs to be brought to us and cared for.

If you contact us about your lost dog, we need to know:

  • the breed of the dog (if relevant)
  • the colour, size, sex and approximate age of the dog
  • if it had a collar with a tag
  • if it’s microchipped
  • when and where it was last seen
  • your contact phone number and address

In case your dog is already in their care, you should also contact Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The fees payable on collection of your dog which has strayed are:

  • statutory stray dog fee: £26.70
  • stray dog return to owner fee: £34.00
  • stray dog kenneling fee: £13.70 (per day)

You are required to provide evidence of ownership and will need to bring a collar/harness and lead (unless specified) when collecting your dog.