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Found a cat or dog? How to find the owner

Published 2026-11-14·4 min read·by AYA
A cat is sitting at your back door, meowing. A dog is running along the road on its own with no owner in sight. You want to help, but what do you actually do? Here's a short guide to what to do, what the rules say, and how to get the animal home as quickly as possible.

First: is the animal in danger?

If the animal is injured, contact a local vet. If there's a risk to people, for example a dog loose on a busy road or motorway, call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.

Found a cat?

  1. Look for a collar or tag. Many cats wear contact details. If the cat has an AYA PetBand, you can scan the QR code straight away (see below).
  2. Get the cat scanned for a microchip. Cats Protection advises taking the cat to a local vet to be scanned. A chip can only be read with a scanner, and in England cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old (GOV.UK), so there's a good chance the vet can trace the owner.
  3. Try a paper collar. Cats Protection suggests a paper collar with your contact details. If the cat has a home, the owner can get in touch.
  4. Don't feed it unless it's underweight. According to Cats Protection, feeding a cat that has a home can encourage it to stay away from it.
Is the cat just out exploring? Many cats roam and aren't lost at all. A cat that looks well cared for and doesn't seem hungry or frightened may simply be on its daily rounds.

Found a dog?

  1. Check the tag on the collar. Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, a dog on a road or in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address on it or on a tag.
  2. Return the dog if you know the owner. GOV.UK is clear: "You must return a stray dog to its owner if you know who the owner is."
  3. Otherwise, tell the council. In England and Wales, report the stray dog to your local council (GOV.UK). In Scotland, contact the council, or the police out of hours (mygov.scot).
  4. Get the dog scanned. All dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old (GOV.UK), so a vet can usually scan the chip and help trace the owner.
  5. Check local social media groups. The owner is probably already looking.

Does the animal have an AYA PetBand? Then just scan it

An AYA PetBand is a round metal tag with the pet's name on the front and a QR code on the back. When you find an animal wearing a PetBand, you don't need a vet or a scanner:
  • Scan the QR code with your phone's camera. You don't need an app or an account.
  • You see the pet's name and a message from the owner, for example "She's shy but loves treats", and possibly information about special needs or diet, if the owner has chosen to show it.
  • You can call, video call or message the owner. Neither of you sees the other's phone number.
  • You decide whether to share your location, so the owner can come and collect their pet. The location is never shared automatically.
  • If the pet has been reported missing, you see the owner's message at the top and possibly a reward, which you arrange between yourselves.
  • If you meet a cat that's simply out roaming, you can tap "I saw it roaming, it is healthy and well". The owner then gets a calm message saying where their cat was seen.
See AYA PetBand → · Has your own cat gone missing? → · Microchip, collar, AirTag or QR tag? →

Thank you for helping

Most pets that go missing get home because a stranger took the time to help. A microchip scan, a call to the council or a quick message to the owner can be what brings a cat or dog back to its family.

Frequently asked questions about found cats and dogs

What should I do if I find a cat?

Look for a collar or tag with contact details. If there isn't one, Cats Protection advises taking the cat to a local vet to be scanned for a microchip. A paper collar with your contact details can also help the owner find you. Many cats simply roam, so a well-fed, relaxed cat may not be lost at all.

Should I feed a cat I have found?

Cats Protection advises against feeding a cat that may belong to someone unless it is underweight, as feeding can encourage it to stay away from home.

What should I do if I find a stray dog?

If you know who the owner is, you must return the dog to them. If you don't, in England and Wales you should tell your local council. In Scotland, contact the council, or the police out of hours. Dogs in the UK must be microchipped, so a vet can scan for a chip.

Do dogs have to wear a tag?

Yes. Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, a dog on a road or in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner on it or on a tag. Look there first.

What happens when I scan an AYA PetBand?

You scan the QR code with your phone's camera, without an app. You see the pet's name and a message from the owner, and you can call, video call or message the owner without either of you seeing the other's number. You can share your location so the owner can collect their pet, but only if you choose to.

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