The Council’s dog wardens primary function is to apprehend and deal with matters relating to stray, lost and found dogs.
Report a lost dog, found dog, or stray dog >
Stray dogs which are seized or collected are held for a minimum of seven days during which time the dog may be reclaimed by the owner on payment of a release fee plus kenneling fees and any veterinary fees. Please remember most lost dogs can be reunited with the owner if they have an up to date collar and tag and microchip, without the involvement of the dog warden. Having a collar/tag and up to date microchip for your dog is a legal requirement for all owners.
After this seven day period if the dog is unclaimed then we always endeavour to rehome the dog, unfortunately in a small number of circumstances if rehoming is not suitable due to serious/terminal illness or if the dog exhibits aggression then we regrettably have to euthanise and cremate the dog. In practice, very few dogs are destroyed although in some circumstances the animal’s health or temperament may be such that it not considered suitable for re-homing.
For dealing with stray dogs the normal operating hours for the dog warden are;
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm excluding Bank Holidays
If you are able, Cliff Top Kennels are open to receive stray dogs between 8:00am and 21:00 seven days per week. Please note you can only collect your dog from Cliff Top Kennels between 9:00am and 17:00 Monday to Saturday and upon payment of the fees incurred by the Council. The address for the Councils’ contracted kennels is – Cliff Top Kennels, Rocks Lane, Burniston, Scarborough YO13 0HX
If you have found a dog outside of these hours, and it is safe to do so, please keep the dog until the kennels reopen or the dog warden is next on duty.