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Finding a Stray Dog

Finding a Stray Dog

If you have found a stray dog you have a number of duties and obligations.

The first thing to do is check for any form of id:

  • Check for an id tag or a number on the collar (may be on the inside).
  • Bring the dog to your local Vet, Rescue Centre or Dog Pound to be scanned for a microchip.
  • If no microchip is detected and, you cannot keep the dog in your own home;
    • Enquire if a local Rescue Shelter or Pound can take in the dog.

If you decide to keep the dog in your own home until the owner is found:

  • You are legally obliged to inform the local Dog Warden and the Gardai; giving a description of the animal, the address where it was found and the address where it is currently being kept. (Note: This is a legal requirement as you could potentially be accused of theft by failing to do so!).
  • Advertise in the lost and found sections of newspapers and social media.
  • Place a notice/poster in local Vets, Garda Station, Animal Shelters and around the area where the dog was found.

Once you have decided to hold on to a stray dog, you can keep it for 28 days without a license. (During this period you are not allowed to re-home the dog and it must remain in your care).

After 28 days, the dog must be licensed and you may re-home it, under the condition that you keep a record of the person to whom it was re-homed.

The rightful owner has 1 year and 1 day to reclaim their dog. After this period the dog is no longer the legal property of that person.

List of Helpful Contacts

Louth County Council Dog Pound

Address: Dromiskin, Dundalk, Co. Louth.
Tel: 042 9324140
Email: vets@louthcoco.ie
Website

Meath County Council Dog Warden

Address: Dog Pound,Greenpark Kennels, The Riggins, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath.
Tel: 046 9097000
Website

An Gardai Siochána – Drogheda

Tel: 041 9874240
Email: drogheda.districtoffice@garda.ie

An Gardai Siochána – Dundalk

Tel: 042 9388400

An Gardai Siochána – Navan

Tel: 046 9036300

Drogheda Animal Rescue

Address: P.O. Box 159, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Tel: 041 9832418
Email: info@dar.ie / cats@dar.ie
Facebook

Mollies Animal Rescue

Address: c/o Newtown, Duleek, Co. Meath.
Tel: 086 3587640
Facebook

Dogs in Distress

Tel: 086 3696413 (Kathy)
Website
Facebook

Last Hope Animal Charity

Address: P.O. Box 56, Navan, Co. Meath.
Tel: 085 7172024
Email: admin@lasthope.ie
Website

D.S.P.C.A.

Address: Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Tel: 01 4935502/4935504
Email: info@dspca.ie
Website

Dogs Aid Sanctuary

Address: Meakstown, Dublin 11.
Tel: 01 8347134
Website
Facebook

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