Dog warden service

Events

We hold a number of community events throughout the year. For information on events near you or to request an event contact: doginfo@croydon.gov.uk.

Our events can include:

• free microchipping
• free basic health check
• free health and training advice
• free dog tags
• lost dogs advice
• rescue dog adoption information
• free temporary I.D tags
• free behavioural advice
• various handouts and information
• advice on dog related issues
• low cost neutering and vet treatment (for some owners)

Missing, stray and stolen dogs

Dog warden

The dog warden is on duty:

• weekdays 7am to 3pm
• weekends and bank holidays 9am to 5pm

Call: 020 8726 6000 during these hours only. 

To get through to the right team; select option 3 for waste services, and then option 4 for other environmental services - to speak to a customer service agent.

If you call after 4pm on weekdays, weekends, or bank holidays, please hold the line to be put through to our emergency control room.

Out of hours

You are advised to take the dog to your nearest 24 hour vet surgery, police station, or to hold the dog at your address until the dog warden is back on duty.

Veterinary surgeries - the dog warden can only collect stray dogs from veterinary centres between 7am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, and only when the dog warden is available.

Pet dogs in our custody can only be returned by the dog warden during working hours.

To discuss any dog related issues or request a call back from the dog warden, please call: 020 8726 6000 to speak with one of our customer service advisers. They will pass the information to the dog warden.

If your dog goes missing

If your dog goes missing:

• display posters in the area where your dog went missing, including a photo of the dog and your contact details
• contact local vets to inform them that your dog is missing, or better still, take a poster to the vets to be displayed
• call Battersea Dogs and Cats Home on: 020 7622 3626 to report your dog missing
• call the micro-chip company to report the dog as lost or stolen
• If your dog went missing near the border of the Croydon borough, don't forget to call the dog warden in the surrounding boroughs
• put your dog's details on lost dog websites such as www.doglost.co.uk or www.petlog.org.uk

Dangerous dogs

To report a dangerous dog, call the police on 101 or in the case of an emergency call 999. For more information on dangerous dogs, see the leaflet on dangerous and banned dogs in the downloads section below.

Animal cruelty

If you suspect an animal is being subjected to any form of cruelty, report it to the RSPCA

Call: 0300 123 4999.

Stolen dogs

If you believe your dog has been stolen, please report it to the police on 101. Also inform the microchip company, local Council and www.doglost.co.uk
 

Why you should neuter

• neutering prevents unwanted pregnancies and the cost associated with a litter of puppies
• removes the risk of womb infections (pyometra), complications during pregnancy and avoids associated vet fees
• helps to reduce the risk of certain cancers
• it may help to prevent some behavioural issues such as scent marking, aggression and straying

If you need advice on where you can get your dog or cat neutered for a lower cost, please contact the dog warden.

Email: doginfo@croydon.gov.uk

Compulsory dog microchipping

Under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015, from 6 April 2016, it became compulsory for all dogs over the age of 8 weeks to be fitted with microchips. If a dog without a microchip comes to the attention of Croydon council, its keeper may be served with a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped, and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine. 

Keepers and breeders must keep these details up-to-date:
 

• all dog breeders are responsible for ensuring puppies are microchipped before selling them
• puppies cannot be sold until they are 8 weeks old and must be microchipped at the point of sale
• if you're buying a puppy make sure it's microchipped before taking it home
• breeders must also register their details on the database to be recorded against the microchip for the life of the dog; a person is considered to be a breeder if they are the owner of a dog that gives birth, whether or not they carry on a business as a breeder of dogs
   

Where to get your dog microchipped

We will be holding continued microchip events around the borough in partnership with the animal charity, Dogs Trust. Microchipping is free to all Croydon residents. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Call: 0208 726 6000 or email: doginfo@croydon.gov.uk 

For more information on microchipping, including upcoming free microchipping events, visit: www.chipmydog.org.uk

If you change your phone number or move house, remember to update your details with the microchip company Pet Log

Call: 01296 336 579.

Charges

If a dog is identifiable and returned to its owner same-day, they are charged £50.

If a dog is not returned to its owner same-day, it will be taken to kennels. The cost of this is £100 (£50 if microchipped with up to date owner details) and £20 for each day the dog stays in kennels.

There may be charges for vet fees and if the dog is not claimed within 7 days, it becomes property of the kennel.

Microchipping is available to all owners of claimed, unchipped stray dogs and also advice on how to update personal details on the microchip database. 

Collars and tags

Ensure your dog has a collar with an identity tag. Under The Control of Dogs Act 1992, every dog while in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar, plate or a tag. It is also helpful to the dog warden for the owner's home or mobile number to be displayed. If a dog is found in a public place without a collar/ tag with these details on, the dog's owner can be fined up to £5000!

Further information

For further information on dog rescues or how to adopt an unwanted stray, contact the dog warden using the details below.