Over Half of Strays Reunited with Owners
According to the 2010 Dogs Trust Stray Dog Survey an encouraging 51% of stray dogs picked up by Local Authorities in the UK were reunited with their owners. This compares with 42% last year and is only the second time the figure has gone through the 50% barrier since survey records began in 1997.
Where the method used to return stray dogs was identified, the proportion of dogs returned through microchipping was 35% – up from 31% last year.
The annual Stray Dog Survey shows an overall increase in instances of straying from 107,228 to 121,693. According to the Dogs Trust, taking into account the number of dogs reclaimed or returned to owner (45,329 in 2009 and 61,908 in 2010) the estimated number of dogs actually abandoned (approximately 59,785) as opposed to being wanted pets that simply strayed has fallen by 3%.
The charity also states that there has been a considerable decline in the number of dogs being put to sleep by Local Authorities due to ill health, aggression (under the Dangerous Dogs Act) or simply for want of a home. Down from 9,310 in last year’s survey to 6,404 this year. Dogs Trust is delighted at the progress Local Authorities have made in bringing down these numbers and their efforts in rehoming and returning so many dogs to their owners.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
