Lost animals

We are responsible for collecting stray dogs. 

See our photos of lost and stray dogs

We post photos of all the dogs we’ve recently collected on our social media accounts.

• Go to Newark and Sherwood Council on facebook
• Go to Newark and Sherwood Council on X 

Report a missing dog

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Report a stray dog

If you’ve found a stray dog, under the law, you must report it to us. Call us to arrange for a dog warden to collect it from you.

Out of hours

Outside of office hours, if possible, hold on to the dog until you can contact a dog warden on the next working day. 

Carlton Forest Rescue Kennels

If this is not possible you can take the dog to:

Carlton Forest Rescue Kennels
Carlton in Lindrick
Worksop
S81 0TP
Telephone: 01909 731 792 
Mobile: 07811 117 067 

Call before arriving, so that staff can be available to accept the dog. You’ll also need to take proof of your address with you.

How we handle stray dogs

The law classes a dog found in a public place without supervision as a stray. Dog wardens pick up strays and owners are liable to pay a charge for the dog's return.

By law, dogs must wear a collar and tag, giving the name and address of the owner, when out in a public place. It is also compulsory for all dogs over the age of eight weeks in England to be fitted with a microchip. This will help you get your dog back should it be lost or stolen.

We work with local partners including the police and the RSPCA to investigate cases where dogs are not microchipped and we issue 21 days notices to owners who have not chipped their dogs. Currently the holding kennels in Worksop will microchip all found dogs before they are returned to owners.

Find out more about dog microchipping – GOV.UK.

Fees for claiming your dog back

The fees include a government fee, district council charge and kenneling costs:

• 1 day £98
• 2 days £113
• 3 days £128
• 4 days £143
• 5 days £158 
• 6 days £173
• 7 days £188

You can pay the fee at the kennels when you collect your dog between 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday). 

If you are collecting outside these hours, call the kennels before visiting:

Telephone: 01909 731 792
Mobile: 07811 117 067

Your dog will not be released from the kennel until payment is made.

How to collect a lost dog

All dogs found by our dog warden or handed in by the public are scanned for a microchip and the registered owner contacted wherever possible. 

If the warden cannot trace the owner from the microchip details, or if the owner is not contactable by phone, the dog will be taken to our holding kennels at Carlton Forest Boarding Kennels.

At the kennels, you’ll need to produce personal identification showing your address. If your dog’s microchip details are not up to date, you’ll also need to show proof of ownership.

Types of proof of ownership:

• kennel club registration certificates
• veterinary papers
• pet insurance papers

Accepted types of ID and proof of address:

• driving licence or passport
• council tax or utility bill
• bank statement

Dogs are kept in the kennels for seven days after which they will look for a new home for the dog.

If the dog warden has not got your dog

You can also try contacting:

• your local police station or call 101
• Doglost
• neighbouring councils
• RSPCA Radcliffe-on-Trent Animal Shelter – 0115 933 4422 or info@rspca-radcliffe.org.uk
• Jerry Green Dog Rescue Centre, Blidworth – 01623 792 886 or notts@jerrygreendogs.org.uk

Widen your search by:

• contacting the local vets
• sharing your dog's photo on social media with a contact number
• calling your local radio stations and local newspapers - they will often help with appeals
• putting up posters near to where you lost your dog - good locations include shops, schools and libraries
• contacting Petlog, the UK's database for microchipped pets on 01296 336 579
• registering your dog’s details at animalsearchuk.co.uk