I've found a dog with no collar — what do I do?

Keep them somewhere safe (your garden, a quiet room, on a slip lead) and call your local council's dog warden or animal control. In the UK every dog has to be microchipped by law, so a vet or warden can scan and resolve the owner. Don't take them home indefinitely — councils need to log the find or the owner may not be reunited.

I've found a cat — should I bring it inside?

Most cats roaming outside are not lost — they're owned cats on patrol. Don't bring them in unless they're distressed, injured, or you're sure they don't belong locally. Posting in local Facebook groups and on apps like Nextdoor is the fastest way to find an owner. If the cat looks under-weight or injured, take it to a vet — it's free to scan a chip.

Is there a legal duty to report a found pet in the UK?

Yes for dogs. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 you must report a found dog to the local authority — either by handing them to a council kennel or notifying the dog warden. For cats there's no statutory duty, but a vet visit to scan the chip is best practice.

What if I find a Snifftag QR code on the pet's collar?

Point your phone camera at the QR. You'll be taken to the pet's profile with their name, photo, and any safety notes the owner left. Tap one button to share your location — the owner gets a text within seconds and can come to collect. You don't need an app and the owner never sees your phone number unless you choose to share it.

What if there is no tag and no chip?

Hand the pet to your local authority or a registered rescue. They'll log the find on national databases (DogLost, AnimalTrackerUK, PetsLocated) so the owner can match. Don't keep the animal long-term without going through this — even with the best intentions, you may inadvertently prevent a reunion.

I've found a lost pet — what should I do?

A calm, ordered checklist for the first hour after you find a lost dog or cat. Covers what to look for, who to call, and what to do if there's no ID at all.

Last updated 30 April 2026 · by Dan Holland, Founder

You've just stopped a stranger's dog from running into traffic, or noticed a cat following you that doesn't look quite right. The first hour matters. Here's the short version, then the longer one.

The 60-second version

Get the animal somewhere safe — your garden, a quiet room, on a slip lead.
Look for a collar tag. Phone any number. Scan any QR code.
If no collar: take them to a vet (free chip scan) or call the local council's animal warden / animal control.
Post in local Facebook groups + Nextdoor — most reunions happen here, fast.
Don't keep them long-term without involving a vet, warden or rescue.

Step 1: get them somewhere safe

Don't chase a frightened animal. Crouch sideways, avoid direct eye contact, and let them come to you. If you have a slip lead or a piece of cord, loop it through the collar or around the neck loosely — it's easier than trying to grab a panicking dog. For cats, a soft towel and a closed quiet room is often best.

Step 2: look for ID — collar tags, engraved tags, QR codes

Three quick things to look at:

A printed or engraved phone number — phone it. Owners almost always answer.
A QR code(Snifftag, PetHub, others) — point your phone camera at it. You'll be taken to the pet's profile with the owner's safety notes. One tap shares your location and the owner gets a text within seconds. You don't need an app.
A council disc — usually with a registration number. The local authority can resolve it to the owner.

Step 3: if there's no collar

Two parallel things at once:

Vet or warden, for the chip.In the UK, every dog and cat has to be microchipped by law. Vets scan for free and don't need an appointment. The council's dog warden does the same.
Local Facebook + Nextdoor + DogLost / AnimalTrackerUK / PetsLocated. These are the fastest channels. A clear photo + the road you found them on + the time covers most cases.

Step 4: don't skip the warden

In the UK, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, found dogs must be reported to the local authority. Owners who've already filed a missing report check the council register first. If you keep the dog without notifying anyone, the owner's missing report and your finding never get matched up. Same logic for cats, even though there's no equivalent statutory duty.

If they've got a Snifftag QR

Point your phone camera at the code. You'll see the pet's photo, name, and safety notes (allergies, behaviour). Tap “Help me get home”, allow location permission, and we relay your location to the owner via SMS and email — accurate to about 10 metres. The owner's number stays private; they'll come to you, not the other way around. You're done. To understand exactly what the scan experience looks like from your side, see our explainer on what happens when you scan a pet QR tag.

Frequently asked questions

I've found a dog with no collar — what do I do?
Keep them somewhere safe (your garden, a quiet room, on a slip lead) and call your local council's dog warden or animal control. In the UK every dog has to be microchipped by law, so a vet or warden can scan and resolve the owner. Don't take them home indefinitely — councils need to log the find or the owner may not be reunited.
I've found a cat — should I bring it inside?
Most cats roaming outside are not lost — they're owned cats on patrol. Don't bring them in unless they're distressed, injured, or you're sure they don't belong locally. Posting in local Facebook groups and on apps like Nextdoor is the fastest way to find an owner. If the cat looks under-weight or injured, take it to a vet — it's free to scan a chip.
Is there a legal duty to report a found pet in the UK?
Yes for dogs. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 you must report a found dog to the local authority — either by handing them to a council kennel or notifying the dog warden. For cats there's no statutory duty, but a vet visit to scan the chip is best practice.
What if I find a Snifftag QR code on the pet's collar?
Point your phone camera at the QR. You'll be taken to the pet's profile with their name, photo, and any safety notes the owner left. Tap one button to share your location — the owner gets a text within seconds and can come to collect. You don't need an app and the owner never sees your phone number unless you choose to share it.
What if there is no tag and no chip?
Hand the pet to your local authority or a registered rescue. They'll log the find on national databases (DogLost, AnimalTrackerUK, PetsLocated) so the owner can match. Don't keep the animal long-term without going through this — even with the best intentions, you may inadvertently prevent a reunion.