Changes to stray dog service
With effect from Monday 17th July 2017, Stroud District Council will be making changes to its stray dog service.
Currently members of public who have lost their dogs are able to reclaim them from either Clockhouse Vets in Stroud or from Teckels Animal Shelter in Whitminster. From 17th July, stray dogs may only be taken to Teckels and can also only be reclaimed from there.
Owners will from that date have to pay the charges associated with the collection and care of the dog at the Council Offices before they can reclaim it. The scale of charges equates to £70 for the first day or part day and £15 per day or part day thereafter up to a maximum of 7 days. Any dog not reclaimed within 7 days will be re-homed by Teckels. The change to pre-payment has arisen as a result of some dog owners defaulting on the required payments and it will serve to align the Stroud system with all other Councils in Gloucestershire.
As is currently the case, Council Dog Wardens will make every effort to reunite owners with their dogs without the need for them to go into kennels. This is made much easier if, as is still required by law, your dog is wearing an identification tag with your up-to-date contact details on it, i.e. contact telephone numbers. If the dog has these details, there is every chance that the finder will contact the owner without any need for the Council to become involved, thereby ensuring that reunification is swift and cost-free. If a stray dog is returned to the owner by a Dog Warden then a £35 fee will apply. Owners are reminded that all dogs also need to be microchipped.
For stray dogs found during normal working hours then please ring the Council on 01453 754478 for assistance. Outside those hours, please ring the same number and arrange via our Message Link service to take the dog to Teckels Animal Shelter at Bristol Road, Whitminster, Glos, GL2 7LU. That organisation will accept stray dogs between the following hours:-
Monday to Friday 07:00 to 09:00 and 17:00 to 20:00.
Weekends & Bank Holidays 07:00 to 20:00.
In a typical year, Stroud District Council handles approximately 160 stray dogs. It is important to recognise that stray dogs can create very serious problems, for example when running free in traffic, and owners are urged to take all possible steps to avoid harm coming either to their dog or to others.
If you should wish to keep up-to-date with the work of the Animal Welfare section at Stroud District Council then please access its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/animalwelfaresdc.