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Scanning of Strays

The table below gives information for each Welsh Council on how they deal with stray dogs.  If your dog is found wearing its collar and tag, then all Councils will contact you, provided of course your contact details are up to date. Matters become considerably more confused though when scanning for microchips.  Check the table below for the answer for each authority. 

The following Councils will unequivocally scan both live and dead dogs – Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Flintshire, Monmouthshire, Swansea and Wrexham. 

The following Councils do not routinely scan dead dogs and do not always scan live strays – if your dog has strayed in or near one of these areas, you should NOT assume you will be contacted.  Anglesey*, Bridgend, Ceredigion, Conwy, Vale of Glamorgan, Neath Port Talbot. 

*Except for dogs in Voluntary Scheme

NB Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils have their own Voluntary Dog Registration Schemes.  Any dog found straying in these areas that is a member of the scheme will be returned directly to its owner without going into the pound kennels.  These systems have holiday membership available if you are planning a trip to these areas with your dog.  A small fee is payable (typically around £3) – you can find further details on the Councils’ websites.    

Click here to download a handy checklist of what to do when your dog is lost, and ideas for keeping them safe. 

Hyperlinks to each Council's own website can be found in the table by clicking on the Council's name. All links open in a new window.   

 

Name of Authority	Check Collar ID and Notify Owner	Scan Dog and Notify Owner
Anglesey Council	Yes – on first occasion. Taken to kennels on subsequent collections.	Yes – on first occasion. Taken to kennels on subsequent collections.
Blaenau Gwent	Yes.	Yes.  By phone and in writing.
Bridgend	Dog warden has discretion to contact – not automatic.  Out of hours kennels will contact.	Dog warden has discretion to contact – not automatic.  Out of hours kennels will contact.
Caerphilly	Yes.	Yes.
Cardiff	Yes.	Yes.
Carmarthenshire	Yes.	Yes.
Ceredigion	Where duties allow.  “Repeat offenders” taken straight to pound.	Where duties allow.  “Repeat offenders” taken straight to pound.
Conwy	Yes – on first occasion. Taken to kennels on subsequent collections.	Yes – on first occasion. Taken to kennels on subsequent collections.
Denbighshire	Yes.	Yes, by both dog warden and out of hours kennel service.  Owner contacted.
Flintshire	Yes.	Yes.
Gwynedd	Yes.	Yes.
Merthyr Tydfil	Yes.	Yes.
Monmouthshire	Yes.	Yes.
Neath Port Talbot	Yes.	Yes, but dogs who stray repeatedly may be taken straight to pound.
Newport	Yes.	Yes.
Pembrokeshire	Yes.	Yes.
Powys	Yes.	Yes.
Rhondda Cynon Taff	Yes.	Yes.
Swansea	Yes.	Yes.
Torfaen	Yes.	Yes.
Vale of Glamorgan	Yes.	Dog wardens will scan and “reasonable attempt” made to return animal if first time stray – if repeat offender, straight to kennels.  Out of hours service does NOT scan dogs as not contracted to.
Wrexham	Yes.	Yes.

Page updated 29th August 2012

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