Dogs Trust is warning of a worrying shift in the fate of the UK’s stray dogs, with new data revealing that the number of dogs handled by local authorities is increasing year-on-year.
For the first time ever, more dogs are ending up in the care of welfare organisations than are being reunited with their owners.
According to the Dogs Trust Stray Dog Survey, more than 36,000 dogs were handled by local authorities across the UK between April 2023 and March 2024. While there has seen an overall decline in the number of stray dogs reported by local authorities since 1997, worryingly, over the last three years, the number of stray dogs handled by local authorities has started to rise again.
Data from Dogs Trust’s Stray Dog Survey reveals that just 39% of dogs taken in by local authority dog wardens between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, were reunited with their owners. This is lower than in previous years – 43% dogs and owners were reunited in 2022 / 2023, and 54% in 2021 /2022, suggesting a worrying downward trend over the last few years.
| Region | Estimated total dogs handled in region* |
| NORTHERN IRELAND | 4,198 |
| WALES | 2,759 |
| SCOTLAND | 1,319 |
| ENGLAND (all regions) | 29,297 |
| North East England | 2,471 |
| West Midlands | 5,363 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 3,314 |
| East Midlands | 2,557 |
| East England | 3,358 |
| North West England | 3,128 |
| South East England | 4,060 |
| South West England | 2,117 |
| London | 2,416 |
(*Figures calculated based on the average number of dogs handled by individual local authorities in each area, multiplied by the number of local authorities).
Strays put to sleep increases
Along with the number of dogs handled by local authorities, the proportion of dogs put to sleep by local authorities has also been steadily reducing overall over the years.
However, this year’s Stray Dog Survey has revealed a worrying increase in the number of stray dogs being euthanised, with an increase of 6% in the estimated proportion of dogs put to sleep compared to the 2023 report.
Dogs Trust estimates that this could translate to an increase of over 1,800 being put to sleep by local authorities across the UK.
The reasons given by Local Authorities for putting to sleep strays that have come into their care include (where reasons were given):
- Ill Health – 25% compared to 45% in the previous survey;
- Behavioural issues – 42% compared to 46% in the previous survey; and
- Requirements of the Dangerous Dogs Act – 24% compared to 7% in the previous survey.
Staffies number one stray breed in UK
Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or their crosses, were reported to be the most likely to be found as stray dogs, with 45% of local authorities stating Staffies made up one of the top three breeds found as strays in their area. Meanwhile, Lurchers, crossbreeds and Jack Russells also featuring high in the top three breeds reported as strays.
Incorrect microchipping data
The Stray Dog Survey also revealed that approximately 60% of stray dogs were microchipped before coming into the care of the local authority.
However, just 38% of those microchipped dogs had correct owner details on their chip. The remaining dogs either had chips with incorrect owner details (47%), unregistered chips (13%) or the database was not recognised (1%), meaning microchip information could not be used to help dogs be reunited with their owners.
Maria Murray, director of behaviour and community services, at Dogs Trust, said: “After several years of steady progress in reuniting stray dogs with their owners, we’re now seeing a sharp and worrying reversal.
“For the first time since our Stray Dog Survey began back in 1997, the data shows more dogs are now being passed to welfare organisations than reunited with their owners. This coincides with a concerning rise in the number of dogs being put to sleep if they are unable to be reunited with their owners.”
Ms Murray continued: “While the exact causes are unclear, financial pressures on local authorities may be limiting their ability to trace and return dogs, pushing more into the care of charities. At the same time, rising numbers of stray and unwanted dogs appear to reflect the ongoing cost of living crisis, which we know is hitting dog owners particularly hard.
“Our own research shows dog-related costs have soared, putting many owners in the heartbreaking position of no longer being able to care for their pets.”
