If you have lost a pet or found an uninjured, stray, domestic animal, the RSPCA recommend posting the information on www.petslocated.com.

The service is there for members of the public, but RSPCA branches and centres also input the details of any animals which have been found and handed into them, providing a searchable network of stray animals dealt with by the RSPCA.

www.petslocated.com is free for those reporting a found animal and anyone wishing to log a lost pet is asked for a fee of £10+VAT to use the service for 12 months. This includes posting details of the lost pet online and social media, and the facility to create your own 'lost pet' poster, as well as giving access to the database of found pets.

The RSPCA also recommends microchipping animals as one of the best ways of being reunited with a pet if it goes missing.

If you have lost your pet you may also wish to try the following options:

• Telephone local veterinary surgeries to see if your pet has been taken in
• Ask neighbours to check their sheds and outbuildings
• Notify Cat Protection League – call 03000 12 12 12 to find your local branch
• Contact the local dog warden where appropriate
• Look at lost pet sites such as www.doglost.co.uk or www.petslocated.com and register your pet's details
• Contact local rescue organisations to see if your pet has been handed in
• Make posters for your local community notice boards, veterinary surgeries and some pet stores that allow such advertisements.

I have found a pet

Cats

The branch is unable to take in stray cats unless they are injured. In the first instance please go to www.petslocated.com where you can register the details of the animal you have found. There is no cost to do this.

For potentially stray cats that are regular visitors, you can try putting paper collars on for a few days to see if there is an owner out there – you can print them from the RSPCA website . Also, take the cat to a local vet to scan for a chip.

Dogs

If you find a stray dog it must to be reported to your nearest dog warden in the first instance. Then go to www.petslocated.com where you can register the details of the animal you have found. There is no cost to do so.

If you judge the dog to be friendly and approachable you may wish to provide it with short term shelter until the dog warden is able to collect it. A bowl of fresh water will always be welcome.

Dog Warden & Stray Dog Services  

Bracknell Forest (stray) 01344 352000 

Reading Borough (stray) 0118 9373787 (office hours) 

* Reading Borough (stray) 0118 9373737 (out of hours) 

South Oxfordshire District 01491 823 203 (office hours) 

South Oxfordshire District 01491 824033 (out of hours) 

West Berkshire (warden) 01635 424000 ext. 2386 

West Berkshire (warden) 01635 42161 (out of hours)

Wokingham Borough (warden) 0118 9746000  

Rabbits

If you find a stray rabbit and are safely able to capture it and keep it safe from predators (foxes, dogs and cats), give it a bowl of water and a few fresh vegetables – ideally cabbage, broccoli and dandelion leaves (not lettuce and only a small quantity of carrots).

In the first instance please go to www.petslocated.com where you can register the details of the animal you have found. There is no cost to do so.

• Rabbits may stray some distance from their home but it is worth asking neighbours if they know who has a pet rabbit.
• If you wish to go further, posters or notices displayed on local community notice boards, in shops or veterinary surgeries are helpful.

If you have recorded the animal you have found on www.petslocated.com but are unable to care for it, then please report the situation to the National Helpline 0300 12334 999.