What to do when you find a stray

Found a Stray Cat?

Found a Stray Dog?

Please note, it is a criminal offence if you keep a stray dog and do not inform the Local Council

Chester-le-Street - 0191 3871919
Derwentside - 01207 218309 during office hours, or 01207 693693 out of hours
Darlington - 01325 388799 during office hours, or take to the Council Depot at Vicarage Road out of hours
City of Durham - 0191 3018669 during office hours, or 0191 3866111 out of hours
Easington - 0191 5275040

Sedgefield - 01388 816166
Teesdale - 01833 690000
Wear Valley - 01388 765555 during office hours, or 01388 721351 out of hours

Stray dogs in County Durham are taken to either Deerness Kennels, Mill Road, Langley Moor, Durham DH7 8HF tel. 0191 3780439 or to Coxhoe Dogs Home, East Pasture Farm, Cornforth Lane, Coxhoe, Co. Durham DH6 4EL tel. 07525901733. They are kennelled for a minimum of seven days, and if they are not claimed with in this time, they will either be offered for re-homing or, if a new home cannot be found for them and dog rescue charities cannot help, they may have to be put to sleep.

What To Do if You Lose Your Cat

You should also ring your local veterinary surgery to see if it has been handed in there. If your cat is identichipped, the vet will scan it and contact you.

What To Do If You Lose Your Dog

Dogs found straying in County Durham are taken either to Deerness Kennels, Mill Road, Langley Moor, Durham, DH7 8HF. Tel: 0191 3780439, or to Coxhoe Dogs Home, East Pasture Farm, Cornforth Lane, Coxhoe, Co. Durham DH6 4EL Tel: 0191 3773979. If your dog cannot be found, you should contact your local Council Offices.

There are eight District Councils within County Durham, each with their own Dog Wardens:

Chester-le-Street - 0191 3871919
Darlington - 01325 388582
Derwentside - 01207 218000
City of Durham - 0191 3018669 during office hours or 0191 3866111 out of hours
Easington - 0191 5270501
Sedgefield - 01388 816166
Teesdale - 01833 690000
Wear Valley - 01388 765555

You should also contact your local veterinary surgery in case your dog has been injured.

Caring for Wildlife

BIRDS
If you find a wild bird that you think may be sick or injured, you must decide whether to intervene or leave it alone. Young birds, as part of their natural development, often undergo a transition stage when they are fully fledged and too big for the nest, but before they can fly. It is VITAL that these young birds are not handled, as the parent birds will be nearby, feeding their young, but will be frightened away by human interference. Not allowing your pet dog or cat into the area until the fledging has left is sensible advice. Please do not handle a wild bird unless it is not fully fledged, or if it is bleeding, has a wing or leg hanging useless, has damaged its beak, or has string, netting etc. attached to it. If you have to move a sick or injured bird, place it in a box with some water and take it to your nearest veterinary surgery. You may want to ring first, to make sure that someone will be available to assist. If you do not have transport, please ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234999 and a collection officer may be able to pick it up from you. Unfortunately not all sick or injured birds can be saved, as they can very easily die from shock and it may be more humane for the bird to be put to sleep.

HEDGEHOGS
Hedgehogs are mainly nocturnal, so if you come across a hedgehog curled up asleep in a quiet place during the day then everything is almost certainly fine. Hedgehogs are very territorial, so if you have to move a hedgehog for any reason, it should be returned as near as possible to its previous location. A hedgehog wandering about in the daytime may be unwell, so should be placed in a box (wear thick gloves!) with tinned cat or dog food and some water, and kept warm. If it will not eat, or appears injured, please take it to your nearest veterinary surgeon or ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234999

FOXES
In most cases an apparently orphaned animal is being cared for and will stand a better chance of survival if left alone. These animals are dangerous and can cause serious injury if they bite when handled. If the animal has obvious signs of injury, please ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

BADGERS
In most cases an apparently orphaned animal is being cared for and will stand a better chance of survival if left alone. These animals are dangerous and can cause serious injury if they bite when handled. If the animal has obvious signs of injury, please ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

SQUIRRELS
In most cases an apparently orphaned animal is being cared for and will stand a better chance of survival if left alone. These animals are dangerous and can cause serious injury if they bite when handled. If the animal has obvious signs of injury, please ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

RABBITS
In most cases an apparently orphaned animal is being cared for and will stand a better chance of survival if left alone. If the rabbit is obviously sick or injured, place it in a box and take it to your nearest veterinary surgery, or phone the RSPCA on 0300 1234999. Please note, you should NOT take a wild rabbit home if you have pet rabbits, as it could easily be carrying an infectious disease.

DEER
In most cases an apparently orphaned animal is being cared for and will stand a better chance of survival if left alone. If the deer is obviously injured, please ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234999. It is helpful to drive past the deer again a few minutes later, before ringing the RSPCA, as deer will often get up and run off, making them impossible to find.

FROGS and AMPHIBIANS
Unless obviously injured, please leave them alone. If they are obviously injured, please ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.