East Cambridgeshire District Council

What do I do if I find a stray dog?

Stray dogs found outside normal office hours in East Cambridgeshire will not be accepted by the Police at the Police Stations in Ely or Newmarket.

Provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 place all responsibility for stray dogs onto the Local Authority.

If you have found a stray dog, please contact the Council using one of the contact numbers listed at the bottom of this page.

I've lost my dog! What should I do?

Ring the Council offices and police station to see if your dog has been handed in. The Council will require a good description of your dog and your name and address. Details will then be matched with reported strays.

If your dog has been handed in to the Council or the police station, your dog may have been taken to Wood Green Animal Shelter. There is a statutory charge of £25 plus kennelling fees, which you will be required to pay at the Council offices before you can collect your dog. Your dog will only be released when you produce the paperwork showing that you have paid the Council for the costs of detaining the animal.

Please note that if your dog is picked up on a Friday and the Dog Warden has been unable to return your dog to you, it will be taken to Wood Green animal shelter. The Police Station will be notified of the dogs being held at Wood Green. You will not be able to collect your dog until the Council offices open on Monday morning.

Contact Telephone Numbers

Dog Warden (Council Offices) - 01353-665555

Council Offices (Outside normal office hours) - 07710-978900

Police -  01223-358966 (you need to ask for Ely Police)