Stray Cats

Please read this very useful article on our national website….What to do if you find a stray or feral cat

Stray Dogs

A stray dog is a dog unaccompanied by its owner (or other authorized person) that’s in a public place or in a place it’s not permitted to be.

The police no longer have responsibility for accepting or dealing with stray dogs. The responsibility for the catching and safe-keeping of stray dogs is with the local authority.
The RSPCA and other animal charities cannot pick up or accept healthy stray dogs

Reporting a stray dog

Rochdale Council have temporarily stopped the Dog Warden Service (Oct 2024) - please check the council website for information.

You can report a stray dog on the Rochdale Council website using their form. Report a Stray Dog or alternatively telephone: 0161 334 0042
Please note that the dog warden will attempt to collect ‘loose’ stray dogs between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Between 5pm and 1am, Monday to Friday, and at weekends and bank holidays, the dog warden will collect stray dogs that have been secured.

Manchester Dogs Home

Collected dogs will be taken to Manchester Dogs Home during opening hours and can be reclaimed provided the appropriate fee is paid. You can also take stray dogs to Manchester Dogs Home yourself. Contact them direct for directions, opening hours and to check if space is available:

Tel: 0844 504 1212

Information on Lost and Found Dogs

Details of lost and found dogs can be given to the Dog Warden Service in the hope that they can be reunited with their owners. You may also wish to contact Manchester Dogs Home.
We also recommend ‘Petslocated’ – a web based solution that provides a matching service to both professional organisations and members of the public to reunite owners with their missing pets. However please be clear that Pets Located is an external provider and we are not responsible for the quality or availability of its services. Go to ‘Petslocated’…

Dog collars

Every dog in a public place is required to wear a collar with the name and address of the owner attached to it. The owner, or any person in charge of it, is guilty of an offence if it is not wearing it and the dog will be treated as a stray if found.

Microchipping

Microchipping involves inserting a microchip under the skin of your pet and is a reliable method of identification as long as contact details are kept up-to-date. It is not an alternative to a dog collar. For a small fee Rochdale Animal Centre staff can do this for you, or it can be done at your local vet. Staff are able to scan animals which are brought to the centre.