Find out what to do if you find a stray dog or to how to find your lost dog.
Stray dogs
A stray dog is any dog loose in a public place with no one obviously in charge of it.
We are required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to pick up stray dogs reported to us, where it is practicable to do so. We will respond by attending the premises where the dog is being held and attempt to locate the owner by checking for dog tags, microchips etc.
If we are unable to locate the owner, we will transport the dog to our nominated kennels. Any dog taken to the kennels will be held for 7 clear days so that the owner can reclaim it.
After the 7 days the legal ownership of the dog will be transferred to Bedford Borough Council and we will arrange for the dog to be rehomed (if suitable for rehoming).
Report a stray dog
If you find a stray dog, and have the dog confined under your control please call our contractor, SDK Environmental Limited on 03444 828320, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
SDK is a specialist animal welfare company that carries out this service on our behalf. SDK aims to have an officer on site to check and where appropriate, collect the dog from you within 4 hours.
Please note, we do not deal with:
- rehoming unwanted dogs
- welfare
- dangerous dogs
- serious dog attacks or attacks involving a person
- injured wildlife
To report a banned dog or dog attack, please contact .
See more information .
What happens to contained dogs that have been reported to the Council?
If the dog is microchipped and/or is wearing an ID tag we will try to contact the registered owner to return the dog. If there is no microchip or we cannot contact the owner, the dog will be taken to our kennels where it will be housed for a period of up to 7 clear days.
If the dog is not claimed within this period, the dog will be re-homed (if suitable for rehoming).
If your dog is not microchipped or if the registered keeper details are not up to date further action may be taken against you and a fine can be imposed. SDK Environmental Limited can provide microchipping for a fee.
Lost dogs
If you lost your dog before and up to 31 March 2026
Stray dogs that were reported to the Council before the end of March will have been taken to Appledown Kennels.
Please contact Appledown Kennels directly to see if they have your dog.
Email: enquiries@appledown.co.uk
Phone: 01525 220383 or 07920 537077
If you lost your dog on or after the 1 April 2026
If you lost your dog on or after the 1st April 2026, please check the to see if your dog has been collected.
Please go to the "SDK Contracted Areas" and select "Bedford Borough Council" from the drop-down list.
The website is updated within 24 hours of a dog being collected. You should also contact your local vets, local animal rescue charities and other neighbouring Local Authorities who may have picked up your dog as a stray.
How to get your dog back
Please call 03444 828300 to claim your dog back. You are required to leave a message on this line which will be responded to 7 days a week between 8:30am and 5pm.
You will have to provide proof of your identity, that you are the most recent keeper of the dog and pay all costs before the dog can be returned to you.
Fees and charges
- Statutory fee £25.
- Collection fee (direct return to owner of microchipped/tagged dogs) £95.
- Collection fee (where dog is taken to kennels) £197.
- Daily kennelling fee £25.20.
- Return of dog to owner from kennels £66.
- Microchipping fee (optional) £24.
- Veterinary fees (if applicable).
If your dog has strayed and been involved in an accident or has been found to require urgent veterinary attention, it may be taken to a vet. If this is the case, you will also be liable for the payment of the vet fees.
Microchipping
All dogs are required by law to be microchipped and their ownership details kept in an approved database. This includes puppies who must be microchipped before you take them with you as the new owner.
It’s the most effective way of permanently identifying a pet to ensure its safe return.
You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped.
When a missing pet is found, a vet or dog warden will scan the pet revealing the microchip’s unique 15 digit code, enabling the owner to be located.
See more information on .
Rehoming unwanted pets
The Council cannot take and rehome unwanted pets, our advice would be to contact animal welfare organisations or breed specific rehoming charities who can give advice and support.
Further information can be found from these organisations: