Greyhounds and lurchers are gentle hounds; they are often nervous when separated from their owners, but with calm handling and quick action, you can help reunite them safely. Here's what to do.
Safely handling and securing a found hound
Sighthounds can be skittish when lost or frightened, so approach calmly and speak in a soft, reassuring voice. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that might startle them into running.
If possible, secure the dog with a lead. Many hounds will follow you willingly, especially if you're calm and gentle. If you don't have a lead, a length of rope or even a belt can work temporarily. Slip leads work best, as lost dogs often aren't wearing collars.
Keep the dog in a safe, enclosed space whilst you work out the next steps. If you're unable to keep them secure yourself, contact your local vet or dog warden straight away.
Checking for identification
Start by checking for a collar with an ID tag. This should have the owner's name, address and phone number, making it easy to reunite them quickly.
If there's no collar or tag, check both ears for tattoos. Racing greyhounds often have identification numbers tattooed inside their ears. Even if you can't read the tattoo clearly, it's worth noting that it's there.
All dogs in the UK must be microchipped by law. Any vet can scan for a microchip free of charge, which will provide the owner's contact details registered with the chip company.
If you found a Forever Hounds Trust dog
Forever Hounds Trust dogs will have a tag on their collar identifying them as FHT dogs. If you've found one of our hounds, please contact us directly.
If you call us outside working hours, our Emergency Out of Hours Service will call you back as soon as possible. If you're unable to keep the dog safe until we get back to you, please contact your local dog warden or a vet, as well as leaving your details with us.
If you found a lost hound without an FHT tag
Most lost sighthounds have owners and have simply got loose whilst out on a walk. Even if the dog isn't wearing a collar, they may still have a microchip with their owner's details.
Call your local vet, who can scan for a microchip free of charge and help contact the owner. You should also contact your local dog warden, whose details can be found on your local county council website or in the telephone directory.
If you found a stray dog, we unfortunately can't take it in straight away. By law, all stray dogs must go to the council pound for seven days, where they may be reclaimed by their owner. After this period, if they haven't been claimed, they can then be placed with a rescue organisation. Forever Hounds Trust cannot legally take in stray dogs before this seven-day period has passed.
Why you should act quickly
Greyhounds and lurchers are fast and have a strong prey drive, which means not only do they easily get lost - it also puts them at risk when they get lost.
They may chase after wildlife or small animals without paying attention to roads, traffic or other dangers. Their speed and lack of road sense mean they can cover large distances quickly and put themselves in harm's way.
The sooner you can secure a lost hound and start the process of reuniting them with their owner, the better their chances of staying safe. Your quick action could make all the difference in getting a worried hound back home where they belong - or getting a stressed-out stray the help they deserve.