What it costs to get your dog back from the council
If the dog warden picks up your dog, you have to pay before you can take them home. We read the stray dog pages of all 361 UK councils in October 2026. Here's what yours charges, and how to make sure your dog never ends up in the kennels.
- the middle cost after one night, across 186 councils that list enough to work it out
- £100the middle cost after one night, across 186 councils that list enough to work it out
- councils charge £200 or more for one night
- 13councils charge £200 or more for one night
- councils charge under £50
- 13councils charge under £50
- of 361 councils don't list their fees online
- 98of 361 councils don't list their fees online
The dearest
- Bedford£247.20
- South Oxfordshire£229.50
- Vale of White Horse£229.50
- Enfield£217.50
- Cambridge£201.10
The cheapest
- Halton£0
- Perth and Kinross£45
- Midlothian£55
- Hull£56
- Bristol£59
After one night in kennels, where the council's page leaves no doubt about the total. Vet treatment is extra.
By nation and region
The middle cost after one night. In England, it's highest in the South East.
- England£104 across 157 councils
- Wales£90 across 13 councils
- Scotland£60 across 12 councils
- Northern Ireland£25 across 4 councils
- South East£131.25 across 36 councils
- East of England£115 across 29 councils
- London£112.65 across 14 councils
- South West£104.93 across 13 councils
- North West£95 across 21 councils
- East Midlands£91.25 across 18 councils
- North East£85 across 5 councils
- Yorkshire and the Humber£72.28 across 9 councils
- West Midlands£69 across 12 councils
English regions with at least five councils to compare. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have fewer councils that list a full set of fees, so treat their figures with care.
Every council
The figure is the cost after one night, worked out from the council's own fee list. A means the council's page leaves some room for doubt, explained under its fees. Fees change, usually each April, so check the council's page before you go.
All 361 councils
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£105*
£105*
£105 all-in for up to one day in kennels, including the £25 legal fee; £84 if your dog is returned without going to kennels
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£126). Worthing has the same charges.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus kennel fees, listed as £76.10 for up to one day and £90.45 for up to two days
The council doesn't say whether the £25 is included in the £76.10. Chipped dogs with up-to-date details may be returned free.
Council's fees · no year given
Northern Ireland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Northern Ireland
£35*
£35*
£35 impound fee for the first day (or part day), then £12 a day; £25 if officers bring your dog home
Collecting the next day may count as a second day (£47). No home-return fee if you collect from the council office in Newtownards.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
£57.10*
£57.10*
£33.50 'statutory' fee and £23.60 a day in kennels; £66.65 if your dog needs vaccinating for the kennels
The council calls £33.50 its 'statutory fee', above the £25 in the 1992 regulations. Unvaccinated dogs add £66.65 (£123.75 in total).
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Northern Ireland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£153*
£153*
£127 if picked up but not kennelled, £153 for up to one day in kennels and £166 for up to two days
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£166). Full payment is needed, with no payment plans.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East Midlands
£91*
£91*
£91 release fee for day 1, £105 for day 2 and £210 for day 7
Collecting the next day may count as day 2 (£105). The first attempt to return your dog home is free.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
South East
£232*
£232*
£232 for the first night, covering the legal fee, collection and admin, then £22 for each extra 24 hours or part
Collecting more than 24 hours after your dog was picked up adds £22.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
£185
£185
£25 legal fee, £120 collection fee and £40 a day in council kennels
If the council kennels are full, other kennels are priced separately. Card payment only.
Council's fees · no year given
Barnet
London
Not listed
Not listed
We couldn't find the council's stray dog fees online.
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£75*
£75*
£75 for one day or part day in kennels, £87 for two, then £12 a day
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£87).
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£74
£74
£74 for one day in kennels, including the £25 legal fee; £98 for two days; £48 if returned without kennelling
Out-of-hours collection adds £93. A £33 handling fee may apply if your dog has strayed before.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East Midlands
£85*
£85*
£85 for day 1, then £9 a day (£94 for day 2), of which £76 goes to the council
Day 1 is the day of kennelling, so collecting the next day may count as day 2 (£94).
Council's fees · for 2026/27
South West
£184
£184
£184 kennel release fee for one to three days, or £124 if returned without kennelling
Four to seven days in kennels costs £351.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East of England
£247.20
£247.20
£25 legal fee, £197 collection fee and £25.20 a day in kennels
If your microchipped or tagged dog is returned straight to you, the collection fee is £95 instead.
Council's fees · no year given
Northern Ireland
£20*
£20*
£20 a day reclaim fee, plus a dog licence fee if your dog isn't licensed
The page gives only a £20 daily rate. Your dog won't be released without proof of a current dog licence.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£72*
£72*
£144 reclaim fee, or £72 if your dog has a microchip or collar and tag and it's the first time
The page doesn't say whether kennel costs are included or extra. Pay through the council's kennels payment form.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£98*
£98*
£25 legal fee, £53 admin fee and £20 a day in kennels; a £5 notice charge may be added
If you're identified as the owner, a £5 notice charge may apply, making £103. Run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£75.40*
£75.40*
£25 legal fee, £38.40 admin fee and £12 a day or part day in kennels
Kennelling is charged per day or part day, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£24 kennelling).
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
£82.39*
£82.39*
£25 legal fee, £45.12 admin fee and £12.27 per 24 hours in kennels; £35.06 instead of kennelling if your dog hasn't reached the kennels
Kennelling is charged per 24 hours or part, so collecting the next day may add another £12.27.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£111.20*
£111.20*
£111.20 for up to 24 hours after impounding, £127.70 for two days and £212.20 for seven days
Collecting more than 24 hours after impounding moves to the two-day fee (£127.70). There's no out-of-hours service.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus a daily charge, which isn't listed
The council tries to bring collected strays straight home free of charge.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East Midlands
£70*
£70*
£55 per dog plus £15 a day (or part day) in kennels
Kennelling is per day or part day, so collecting the next day may add another £15. Pay the council, not the kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
South West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £130 call-out fee, plus kennel costs, which aren't listed; £130 more if your dog is brought home
Run by the Public Protection Partnership with West Berkshire. Kennel costs vary with the kennels used.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Yorkshire and The Humber
£83.39*
£83.39*
£64.39 seizure fee and £19 a day in kennels (£15.84 plus VAT)
The council's page doesn't list a separate £25 legal fee. Pay the kennels in full by credit card before collecting.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£115*
£115*
£90 collection fine (first time) and £25 a night; £95 the second time, £110 the third
Fees shown are for 2025/26; newer ones weren't shown by October 2026. The dog warden confirms the amount to pay.
Council's fees · for 2025/26
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£115
£115
£25 legal fee, £75 dog warden fee and £15 a day in kennels
Pay by cash or cheque at Wallace Kennels; cards aren't accepted there.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£117*
£117*
£117 all-in charge for the first day (or part day), then £36 a day
Collecting the next day may count as a second day (£153). Payment is by debit or credit card before your dog is returned.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£59
£59
£59 for one day at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, £70.50 for two days, rising to £124 for six days
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£151
£151
£151 for the first day, covering kennels and admin, then £26 a day; £53 if your chipped or tagged dog isn't taken to kennels (£74 if not)
Broadland and South Norfolk share this service and its charges.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£104.27
£104.27
£25 legal fee, £100 collection fee (halved for a microchipped dog) and £29.27 a day in kennels
The total is for a microchipped dog; unchipped dogs pay the full £100 collection fee. Pay by card up to 5pm on weekdays.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£69
£69
£25 legal fee, £20 admin fee and £24 a day in kennels
If your dog was picked up out of hours, there's an extra £58 collection charge.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East Midlands
£91.50*
£91.50*
£78 admin fee and £13.50 kennel fee for day 1 (£91.50), £105 for day 2; £24 extra out of hours
An overnight kennel fee of £25.20 a day may be added once your dog moves to the main block.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£238*
£238*
£238 for the first day, covering the £25 legal fee, admin, collection and kennels, then £30 a day; £20 more if not correctly microchipped
The council's text says fees start at £235 but its table shows £238; collecting the next day may fall on day 2 (£268).
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£50 plus a daily kennel charge, which isn't listed
Dogs are kept at Aspen Valley kennels in Accrington.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Wales
£91.24*
£91.24*
£111.24 for day 1 and £129.78 for day 2, covering seizure and kennels; £20 off if your dog's microchip details are correct
Collecting the next day may count as day 2 (£109.78 with the discount). Confirm the fee with Environmental Health before paying.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Yorkshire and The Humber
£72.28*
£72.28*
£25 legal fee, £30 admin fee and £17.28 a day in kennels
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£89.56). Fees are paid at the kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£201.10
£201.10
£25 legal fee, £67.90 kennel admin fee, £87 transport to Woodgreen Pets Charity and £21.20 a night in kennels
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Wales
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
A minimum of £45 at Cardiff Dogs Home, covering daily charges and the legal fee
Daily charges cover food, lodging, medical care and vaccinations; the full amount isn't published.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£80*
£80*
£80 for the first day (or part day), then £15 a day
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£95). Tagged dogs are returned free the first time if you can be reached.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Causeway Coast and Glens
Northern Ireland
Not listed
Not listed
We couldn't find the council's stray dog fees online.
East of England
£99.40
£99.40
£76.60 to collect a microchipped dog from the kennels (includes the legal fee), plus £22.80 a night in kennels
Unchipped dogs, or chips with out-of-date details, cost £105.70 (or £92.90 if chipped before release) instead of £76.60.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East Midlands
£77.90
£77.90
£25 legal fee, £37.30 admin fee and £13 a day in kennels plus VAT
The total includes VAT at 20% on the kennel fee. Once paid, the kennels arrange to bring your dog home.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£55 release fee, £20 a day in kennels and £29.80 for each transport journey
The council doesn't say how many transport journeys are charged for a dog taken to kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£106
£106
£25 legal fee, £43 collection fee (first hour), £18 admin fee and £20 a day in kennels
Each further hour the warden spends collecting your dog adds £43.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
£120*
£120*
£95 release fee and £25 a day in kennels; £54 if your dog is returned without kennelling
Kennelling is charged from the day your dog arrives, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£145).
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£95*
£95*
£95 for the first day, including the release fee and transport home, then £12 a day or part day
Collecting the next day may count as an extra part day (£107). £40 if returned without going to kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£111*
£111*
£53 'statutory' return fee, £23 admin fee and £35 a day or part day in kennels
The council calls £53 its 'statutory return fee'; the fee set by law is £25. Collecting the next day may count as two days (£146).
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£31.50*
£31.50*
£16 seizure fee and £15.50 a day in kennels
The council's page doesn't mention the £25 legal fee, so the total may be higher.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£200*
£200*
£200 to collect your dog from the council's kennels
The page doesn't say whether the £200 changes with days in kennels. Strays are collected Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
£60*
£60*
£60 for one day at Bandeath Dog Shelter, £85 for two days and £215 for seven days
Charges run from the day your dog is accepted, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£85). Pay Stirling Council.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£115
£115
£75 stray dog penalty fee and £40 a day in kennels
A notice dated 1 October 2026 says stray collection is suspended due to high demand and lack of kennel space.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£90*
£90*
£75 'statutory' fee including collection, and £15 a day in kennels
Any part day counts as a full day, so collecting the next day may cost £105. £30 more if taken to kennels out of hours.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£120*
£120*
£100 minimum release and admin fee, then £20 a day (or part day) in kennels; £55 extra out of hours
Kennels charge per day or part day, so collecting the next day may add another £20. Full payment is needed before release.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £92 admin fee, plus kennelling at cost, which isn't listed
Council's fees · no year given
North East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£192.80*
£192.80*
£25 seizure and admin fee and £167.80 for the first day (or part day) in kennels, then £30.30 a day
Collecting the next day may count as a second day (£223.10). Out of hours (6pm to 8am) adds £24.70.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£70
£70
£50 kennel charge for a dog microchipped with up-to-date details (otherwise £100), plus £20 a day in kennels
The total is for a dog chipped with up-to-date details; without, one day costs £120.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£91
£91
£91 for day 1 for a correctly microchipped dog, including the legal fee (£142 if not chipped or details are wrong)
Fees are paid by card over the phone before you collect your dog.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
North East
£125*
£125*
£45 standard charge (including the £25 legal fee), £50 handling fee and £30 a day (or part day) in kennels
Kennelling is per day or part day, so collecting the next day may cost £155. Pay the council in full before release.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Wales
£50*
£50*
£40 collection fee for a microchipped dog on weekdays 8am-5pm (£50 if not chipped), plus £10 a day in kennels
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£60). It's unclear if the £25 legal fee is added.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus a reclaim charge and daily kennel charges, which aren't listed
If the council returns your dog, there may be a £24 transport fee.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£95*
£95*
£75 standard charge (including the £25 legal fee) plus £20 a day in kennels
A £50 call-out fee may also apply in some circumstances. Optional microchipping costs £18.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Northern Ireland
£16*
£16*
£16 kennel charge for the first day, then £8.50 a day; no other reclaim fee is listed
If collection day counts as a second day, the cost is £24.50. Bring ID, proof of address and proof of ownership.
Council's fees · no year given
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£66.50 fixed fee to the kennels, plus a daily care charge, which isn't listed
Dogs are kept at Lindrick Boarding Kennels & Cattery; pay the kennels before your dog is returned.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £155 admin fee, plus daily kennel fees that depend on the kennels used
If an officer brings your dog home from the kennels, it costs £42 an hour, capped at £100.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
South East
£132.50
£132.50
£100 call-out fee (including the legal fee) and £32.50 a day in kennels
£75 extra if your dog was taken to kennels outside normal working hours.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£41.10 'fine' and £25 legal fee, plus kennel costs, which aren't listed; £10 to microchip an unchipped dog
A dog returned straight home by the warden costs the £41.10 fine and £25 legal fee.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
£100
£100
£25 legal fee, £57 transport to kennel fee and £18 a day in kennels
Dogs are kept for up to seven days.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
£171
£171
£25 legal fee, £70 collection fee, £50 admin fee and £26 a day in kennels
Dogs whose owner is identified and lives in the borough are returned directly.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus kennel fees, which aren't listed
Dogs are kept for at least seven days.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£117.75*
£117.75*
£25 legal fee, £61.05 collection fee, £12.05 admin fee and £19.65 a night in kennels; £49 if your dog goes to Wood Green
The council may charge one or more of these fees, so not every item may apply. A 2026/27 draft budget proposed £20.15 kennelling.
Council's fees · for 2025/26
South West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East Dunbartonshire
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
We couldn't find the council's stray dog fees online.
South East
£107*
£107*
£25 legal fee, £28 handling charge, and kennel fees of £54 for up to two days (£27 if not kept overnight)
Kennels charge each day or part day, so an overnight stay likely costs the two-day rate (£54). £13 more if brought in out of hours.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£91
£91
£25 legal fee, £33 service charge (£57.50 if not correctly chipped) and £33 a day in kennels
The total is for a correctly microchipped dog.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£56*
£56*
£45 'statutory' fee and £11 a day or part day in kennels
The council calls £45 its 'statutory fee'; the fee set by law is £25. Collecting the next day may count as two days (£22 kennelling).
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East Renfrewshire
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
We couldn't find the council's stray dog fees online.
Yorkshire and The Humber
£56*
£56*
£56 for up to 3 days in kennels, then £14 a day
The page doesn't mention the £25 legal fee. Dogs with up-to-date chip or tag details are returned home where possible.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 for placing your dog in kennels, plus a daily kennel charge, which isn't listed
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£265 for a dog with no ID, including one day in kennels, then £20 a day; no fee is listed for a microchipped dog
Run by Animal Warden Services, whose 2026 price list sets out the council's fees.
Council's fees · for 2026
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£168.76
£168.76
£158.76 for one day in kennels plus a £10 admin fee per claimant, then £32 more each day; £126.76 without kennelling
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£130
£130
£25 legal fee, £75 collection fee and £30 a day in kennels; £35 more if your dog is brought home to you
If the warden returns your dog without going to kennels, it's the £25 legal fee plus £15 collection.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£217.50
£217.50
£25 legal fee, £175 fee for picking up your dog and £17.50 a day in kennels
Vaccination and microchipping costs may also apply. Your dog is released only once all fees are paid.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£104*
£104*
£78 release fee and £26 a day in kennels
The council doesn't say whether the £78 fee includes the £25 legal fee.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee, £110 collection fee (£130 if not correctly microchipped) and up to £30 a day in kennels
A £35 return to owner fee may also apply. The service is run by SDK Environmental.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£127.50
£127.50
£25 legal fee, £82.50 stray dog penalty and £20 a day in kennels
Amounts are from the council's 2026/27 fees and charges list; its dog warden page doesn't give them.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£28.10 'statutory' charge and £116.70 for one night in kennels (£142.15 for two); £46.45 transport if returned straight home
Kennel charges are the actual cost and may change. It's unclear whether the £46.45 transport charge also applies to kennelled dogs.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Scotland
£60*
£60*
£60 for one day at Bandeath Stray Dog Shelter (run by Stirling Council), £85 for two days
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£85).
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£169*
£169*
£26 'statutory' charge and a £143 kennel fee covering up to seven days
The council lists a £26 'statutory charge'; the fee set by the 1992 regulations is £25. A repeat stray within three months adds £25.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East of England
£128*
£128*
£84 return fee including the £25 legal fee, £18.50 admin fee and £25.50 a day in kennels
Fees shown are for 2025/26; no 2026/27 stray dog fees were published by October 2026. Collecting the next day may add another £25.50.
Council's fees · for 2025/26
Northern Ireland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
£80
£80
£80 for one day, including the legal fee, then £16.50 more each day; paid to Brown Street Kennels, Dundee
Collection is by appointment with the kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£65.28*
£65.28*
£55.28 if taken to an approved kennel, plus £10 a day (minimum one day); £36.85 if returned straight to you
The council doesn't say whether the £25 legal fee is included; if added, one night would be £90.28.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and a £33.20 kennelling fee (maximum 7 days); £73.60 extra out of hours
It isn't stated whether the £33.20 is per night or a single charge. If single, one night is £58.20.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£60*
£60*
£60 for the first day in kennels, then £15 a day; £25 if a warden returns your dog directly
The council's 2025-26 fees booklet shows different charges. If the next day counts as a further day, the total is £75.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£100*
£100*
£75 to collect your dog from the kennels, plus £25 a day for collection and kennelling; £35 if the warden brings your dog home
The council's page doesn't mention a separate £25 legal fee. There's no out-of-hours collection service.
Council's fees · no year given
North East
£75
£75
£25 legal fee, £25 admin fee and £25 a day in kennels
Fees are paid before your dog is delivered back to you.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£165*
£165*
£165 if collected within 24 hours of being picked up, or £209 after that
Collecting the next day can be more than 24 hours after pick-up, when the charge is £209.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
The council says its stray dog service is suspended until further notice.
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee, £17 admin fee and £17 a day in kennels, plus a collection charge of £40 an hour
Run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services. Collection is charged by the hour, so the total depends on how long it takes.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£180.70*
£180.70*
£25 legal fee and a £155.70 kennel fee covering up to seven days
From the council's 2026 fees schedule, which doesn't say if the £155.70 is less for shorter stays.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £20 admin fee, plus transport to the kennels and kennel fees, which aren't listed
Kennel fees are paid at Viking Oak Kennels on collection; the other fees are invoiced afterwards.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£144.50*
£144.50*
£25 legal fee, £86.50 collection and call-out charge and £33 a day (or part day) in kennels; £42.50 to bring your dog home
Kennelling includes part days, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£177.50).
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
£121.02*
£121.02*
£85.42 release fee and £35.60 a night in kennels
The council's page doesn't mention a separate legal fee. Unclaimed dogs go to a rehoming centre after 7 days.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£0
£0
No charge if you collect from the kennels; £20 if the kennels drive your dog home
No charge either if your dog is returned straight to you. Acorn Kennels charges a small fee to microchip an unchipped dog.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£100*
£100*
£75 admin fee (£125 if not correctly microchipped or collected before) and £25 a night in kennels
The council's page doesn't mention a separate legal fee. Run by SDK Environmental.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus kennel costs, which aren't listed
Unclaimed dogs go to rescue kennels after a few days.
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£70 initial kennel fee, then £25 a day, plus other fees that aren't listed
The page lists other fees as 'various' and doesn't say if the first day is included in the £70.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£111.40 return to owner from kennels, £19.10 a day in kennels and a £29.50 admin fee
The council doesn't say which of these charges apply together. Pay by card over the phone before your dog is returned.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£128*
£128*
£25 legal fee, £10 admin fee and £93 for the first day in kennels, whether or not overnight, then £22 a day
Collecting the next day may count as a further day (£150). The £25 legal fee is charged only once per dog.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
North East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus a variable fee for kennels, care and transport of up to £35 a day
£30 extra if you want your dog returned outside 12 noon to 7pm.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£185*
£185*
£25 legal fee, £35 admin fee and kennels: £70 if not kept overnight, £125 for up to two days; £32 extra out of hours
The council's page mentions a handling charge on top of the £25 legal fee; if separate, the total would be £210.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
London
£99
£99
£25 legal fee, £10 admin fee, £50 weekday daytime collection and £14 a day in kennels
Collection costs £65 on weekday evenings and £70 overnight, at weekends and on bank holidays.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£55*
£55*
£55 collection and admin fee for the first 24 hours, then £13.50 a day in kennels
Collecting more than 24 hours after pick-up costs £68.50. The page doesn't mention a separate £25 legal fee.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£115
£115
£25 legal fee, £55 transport and admin fee and £35 a night in kennels
The council says the kennel fee may change if kennel costs rise.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
A 'fine' of £150, listed as £25 legal fee and £138 admin, callout and transport, plus £47.43 a day in kennels
The listed parts total £163, while the page gives £150. The fine applies to dogs not tagged or not correctly microchipped.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£47.44*
£47.44*
£25 legal fee and £22.44 a day in kennels, however few hours
Kennelling is charged per day however short the stay, so collecting the next day may count as two days.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£126
£126
£126 for one dog for one day, rising to £245 for seven days; each extra dog £77 for one day
Horsham has no dog warden; approved kennels collect strays that have been safely contained.
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Yorkshire and The Humber
£56
£56
£56 if collected within 3 days; after that, £56 plus £9.80 a day in kennels. A second stray costs £79
Optional delivery home within Hull costs £27. Fees must be paid before your dog is returned.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£130*
£130*
£130 for the first day, covering the £25 legal fee, £70 service charge and £35 a night in kennels
Fees are from the council's list dated 1 April 2025, still the current one in October 2026.
Council's fees · for 2025/26
North West
£100*
£100*
£100 release fee
The page doesn't say whether the £100 covers more than one day or includes the £25 legal fee. No instalments.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
The council's dog warden scans a found dog for a microchip, but the council doesn't collect or kennel strays.
East of England
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
Minimum release fee of £95 (£149 without a current tag or microchip), plus £20 a day paid to the kennels
The council lists £95 as a minimum, so the exact total isn't published. Delays in paying may increase fees.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£85
£85
£25 legal fee and £60 a night in kennels; £60 extra for out-of-hours collection
Fees are from the council's Stray Dog Policy (November 2025). Payment plans may be possible at the council's discretion.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
£157
£157
£25 legal fee, £96 collection fee and £36 a day in kennels; £30 more if not chipped or wrongly chipped
£60 more if a warden returns your dog from the kennels. Fees rise with inflation each year.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£109*
£109*
£25 legal fee, £72 council fee and £10 a day or part day in kennels plus VAT
Includes VAT on the kennel fee. Kennelling is per day or part day, so collecting the next day may count as two days.
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£140 for collecting and looking after your dog, plus kennel fees, which aren't listed
Kingston and Sutton share this service and its charges.
Council's fees · no year given
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
£94
£94
£94 if collected from Salford Kennels, or £145 once moved to Manchester Dogs' Home; £42 if returned before kennels
Dogs move to Manchester Dogs' Home at noon on Friday or after 48 hours, when the fee becomes £145.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£129.80
£129.80
£25 legal fee, £83.84 return to owner fee and £20.96 a day in kennels
Bring proof of ownership, ID and proof of address.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£66.72*
£66.72*
£30.34 'prescribed' fee, £16.62 detention fee and £19.76 a day in kennels
The council's 'prescribed fee' of £30.34 is higher than the £25 set by law. The page was last updated in May 2025.
Council's fees · no year given
Yorkshire and The Humber
£100
£100
£100 if collected within 48 hours, then £20 more each day, up to £200 at seven days; £5 extra if not microchipped
No evening, weekend or bank holiday service.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£51.40*
£51.40*
£40 reclaim fee and £11.40 a day in kennels
The council doesn't say whether the £40 includes the £25 legal fee. Dogs are normally returned the next day once fees are paid.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus boarding costs and any repeat offence fee, which aren't listed
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£20 collection charge for a tagged or microchipped dog (£25 without ID), plus kennel costs, which aren't listed
Dogs are collected from Crowfoot Kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£13 a calendar day in kennels, plus a £25 legal fee on a second continuing offence
The council asks owners to contact its PPASB Team for the total due.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Northern Ireland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
£95
£95
£60 for one day plus a £15 admin fee and a £20 return fee, rising to £165 for seven days
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus kennel costs, which aren't listed
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and an admin fee (£74 or £28), plus kennel charges, which aren't listed
Fees shown are from the council's 2025/26 schedule, which doesn't say when each admin fee applies.
Council's fees · for 2025/26
West Midlands
£69
£69
£25 legal fee, £20 admin fee and £24 a day in kennels; £58 collection charge out of hours
Extra £16.50 if not properly microchipped and £48.50 for repeat strays. Run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£135*
£135*
£135 release fee if a dog warden picked up your dog, or £95 if a member of the public took it to Manchester Dogs' Home
An older council page still shows £65 and £45. The Dogs' Home may also charge for other care costs.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£117*
£117*
£82 minimum release and admin fee, then £35 a day (or part day) in kennels; £20 extra at weekends
Kennels charge per day or part day, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£152).
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Wales
£131.23*
£131.23*
£25 legal fee, £85.55 handling charge and £20.68 a day (or part day) in kennels; £25.85 a day for large dogs
If the handling charge already includes the £25 legal fee, the total is £106.23. Collecting the next day may add another day.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£211.96*
£211.96*
£25 legal fee, £120 collection fee, £30 for returning your dog from kennels and £36.96 a day in kennels
The council doesn't say whether every owner pays the £30 'returning your dog from kennels' charge.
Council's fees · no year given
Northern Ireland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£105
£105
£65 collection fee (including the £25 legal fee) and £40 a day in kennels; £40 drop-off fee within Mid Sussex
Council's fees · no year given
Northern Ireland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Middlesbrough
North East
Not listed
Not listed
We couldn't find the council's stray dog fees online.
Scotland
£55
£55
£25 legal fee and £25 a day in kennels plus VAT, paid to Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
The total includes VAT at 20% on the kennel fee. A £50 vet assessment fee (plus VAT) applies if not claimed before day 3.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£143
£143
£25 legal fee, £85 collection fee and £33 a day in kennels; £85 more if your dog is delivered home
Reclaim calls are taken 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. No payment plans.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£126.50 return fee, plus kennel fees, which aren't listed
There may be no charge if a dog with ID that hasn't strayed before is collected in office hours and returned.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Wales
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£60 release and admin fee, £60 collection call-out fee and 50p a mile, then £25 a day in kennels after the first day, all plus VAT
The out-of-hours charge (5pm to 7.30am) is £150. Payment is by cash, or cheque with a bankers card.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£31.50 release fee plus kennel fees, which aren't listed
Dogs are kept at Brumley Brae Kennels, Elgin, and released once all costs are paid.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Scotland
£48*
£48*
£32 admin charge and £16 a day detention charge
Charged per day or part day, so collecting the next day may add another £16. No VAT is charged.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£72
£72
£25 legal fee, £25 admin fee and £22 a day in kennels
Pay at a council Information Office first; you'll get a release certificate to show at the kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£98
£98
£98 for one day, including the legal fee, council charge and kennelling, rising £15 a day to £188 for seven days
Pay at Carlton Forest Boarding Kennels, Worksop, before your dog is released.
Council's fees · no year given
North East
£90*
£90*
£25 legal fee, £15 handling and admin fee and £25 a day in kennels, with the first day £50 for treatments
Days count in full or part, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£115). £45 extra if taken in out of hours.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
From £88, plus £14.50 for each day at the City Dogs Home kennels; £88 if the warden can return your dog quickly
The kennels' charge starts 'from £88', so an exact total isn't given. Payment is by card, with no instalments.
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£82.50 first-time collection fee, a £22 kennel fee and £20.40 a night
The council doesn't say how these charges combine. Second and third collections cost £115.50 and £159.50.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£121.68
£121.68
£121.68 for one day at Newport City Dogs Home, £60.32 within four hours, rising to £243.36 for seven days
Council's fees · no year given
Northern Ireland
£30*
£30*
£30 if your dog is licensed (£40 if not); £10 for people on benefits or pensioners (£15 without a licence)
Assumes your dog is licensed, as required in Northern Ireland. The page doesn't mention a daily kennel charge.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus kennel fees, which aren't listed
The kennels arrange vaccinations within two days of a dog arriving.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£150*
£150*
£25 legal fee, £35 admin fee, £40 collection and return fee and £50 kennel charge for the first 24 hours
Each further 24 hours or part costs at least £25, so collecting more than 24 hours after pick-up costs more.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus a daily kennel charge, which isn't listed
The council will try to bring a chipped or tagged dog straight back to you free of charge.
Council's fees · no year given
Yorkshire and The Humber
£160.20*
£160.20*
£138.70 including the £25 legal fee, plus £21.50 per calendar day in kennels; £92.50 if reunited at the depot without kennels
Kennelling is per calendar day, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£182.20).
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£127.38
£127.38
£94.38 if your dog's microchip details are correct (£121.32 if not), plus £33 a day in kennels
Not microchipped? It's £115.17 if you agree to free microchipping. Fees are normally paid by card.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
£149.05
£149.05
£149.05 reclaiming fee for a first stray, and the council brings your dog back to you
Paid before 1pm on a working day, your dog comes back the same day. SSPCA charges may differ.
Council's fees · no year given
North Lincolnshire
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not listed
Not listed
We couldn't find the council's stray dog fees online.
East of England
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£100 collection fee if your dog goes to kennels, plus kennel charges, which aren't listed
If you collect your dog from the council offices in Cromer before it goes to kennels, the fee is £25.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South West
£78.50
£78.50
£60 fixed charge and £18.50 a day in kennels; £31.50 if returned without kennelling
Council's fees · for 2026/27
North Tyneside
North East
Not listed
Not listed
We couldn't find the council's stray dog fees online.
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee if a chipped or tagged dog is returned the same day, and £17 a night for kennel stays
The council's table gives no base charge for a chipped dog kept overnight. Second offences within 12 months cost £60 more.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£67.50*
£67.50*
£67.50 for one day, £85 for two days and £172.50 for seven days
Collecting the next day may count as two days (£85). A fixed penalty notice is also normally issued.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£80 release fee (£25 legal fee plus £55 fees), plus a daily kennel charge, which isn't listed
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£127*
£127*
£25 legal fee, £87.50 if your dog goes to kennels and £14.50 a day (or part day); £124.30 instead if it has strayed before
The page was last updated in May 2023. Collecting the next day may count as two part days (£141.50).
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£266.10*
£266.10*
£188 collection fee, £41.60 first-day admin fee and £36.50 a day in kennels
The council's page doesn't list a separate £25 legal fee. Lower fees apply for owners on certain benefits.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
£80
£80
£80 for the first day in kennels, then £25 for each extra day
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
£45
£45
£25 legal fee and £20 a day in kennels
Dogs are kept at the Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society (PADS) kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£159 release fee for day one, £303 for day two and £390 by day seven
It isn't stated whether collecting the next day pays the day one or day two fee; kennel costs may be extra.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£58*
£58*
£58 for collection and kennelling, then £22 a day after the first 24 hours
Collecting more than 24 hours after your dog was picked up adds £22 (£80).
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£65*
£65*
£25 legal fee, £26 admin fee and £14 a day or part day in kennels
Kennelling is per day or part day, so an overnight stay may count as two days (£79 in total).
Council's fees · for 2026/27
North West
£126
£126
£126 release fee, covering the £25 legal fee and £101 for contractor and kennel costs
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£128 if picked up but not kennelled, £219 if taken to kennels and returned to you, and £27 a day in kennels
It isn't stated whether the £219 includes the first day in kennels; if not, one night would be £246.
Council's fees · no year given
London
£96*
£96*
£70 collection fee and £26 a day in kennels
The council's page doesn't list a separate £25 legal fee. Bring ID to collect your dog.
Council's fees · no year given
North East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus kennel costs, which aren't listed
Dogs are held for 7 days at Maxi's Mates Re-Homing Centre.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£69
£69
£25 legal fee, £20 admin fee and £24 a day in kennels; £58 collection charge out of hours
Extra £16.50 if not properly microchipped and £48.50 for repeat strays. Run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£50 minimum charge (called a 'statutory fee'), £30 a day in kennels; also a £95 'fine for losing a dog' and £15 if not chipped
Fees shown are for 2025/26. The council doesn't say when the £95 'fine for losing a dog' applies.
Council's fees · for 2025/26
Scotland
£125.55*
£125.55*
£125.55 including VAT, covering kennelling, a vet check and an admin fee, at the Scottish SPCA in Glasgow
The page doesn't say how many days the £125.55 covers.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£53.80*
£53.80*
£25 legal fee and £28.80 kennel charge for one day (£53.80 in total); £72.90 for two days
Part of a day counts as a full day, so collecting the next day may cost £72.90.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£105 pick-up fee plus kennel costs at Battersea or other kennels, which aren't listed; £221 if picked up before
Delivery fees may apply if your dog goes to kennels other than Battersea.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£64
£64
£38 covering the legal fee and admin, plus £26 a day in kennels
Microchipping at the kennels costs £25 if needed.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Yorkshire and The Humber
£67
£67
£67 fixed fee to the kennels, covering boarding, then £14 for each further night
Unchipped dogs must be chipped within 21 days, or the owner faces a fixed penalty of up to £500.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£150 collection charge, plus kennel, admin or delivery costs, which aren't listed
A dog with ID that hasn't strayed before, picked up in office hours, can be returned home free.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£132.40*
£132.40*
£100.10 if reclaimed within 12 hours, or £132.40 within 72 hours
The council doesn't say whether these charges include the £25 legal fee. Reclaim from kennels Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £50 dog warden fee, plus kennel costs set by the kennels, which aren't listed
Kennel costs may be paid to the kennels or to the council.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
£42*
£42*
£42 'prescribed' fee if collected from the council's Turnpike Depot; £93 if your dog has moved to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home
The Dogs Home may charge more for extra days; those amounts aren't listed.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
£153
£153
£153 flat claiming fee, and your dog is returned to your home address
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£128
£128
£128 if reclaimed within 48 hours, £82 before your dog reaches kennels and £154 after 48 hours
Pay online on the council's Dog Reclaim page. Delivery home within Sefton costs £46.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Yorkshire and The Humber
£69.55
£69.55
£69.55 reclaim fee covering the first two days, then £17.65 a day
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£125*
£125*
£25 legal fee, £75 collection fee in office hours (£160 outside them) and £25 a day in kennels
Fees shown date from 1 April 2023; the council tendered a new contract in 2026, so they may change.
Council's fees · for 2023/24
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus costs and daily kennel fees, which aren't listed
There is no out-of-hours collection service.
Council's fees · no year given
Scotland
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
A fine (amount not stated) plus £25 a day in kennels
Dogs are kept at Coyleview Kennels in Coylton, the council's pound.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£117*
£117*
£25 legal fee, £68 transport and admin fee and £24 a day in kennels plus VAT
The kennel fee is plus VAT, so one night would be £121.80 with VAT at 20%.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South West
£95.70*
£95.70*
£95.70 seizure fee and £12.70 a night in kennels; the first night is free if your dog's microchip or tag is up to date
This total assumes an up-to-date microchip or ID tag; without one, one night costs £108.40.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£81 seized dog fee plus kennel costs, which aren't listed
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 release fee plus a daily boarding fee, which isn't listed
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£151
£151
£151 for the first day, covering kennels and admin, then £26 a day; £53 if your chipped or tagged dog isn't taken to kennels (£74 if not)
South Norfolk and Broadland share this service and its charges.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£229.50
£229.50
£198.50 reclaiming fee, including the £25 legal fee (£230.50 if found outside office hours), plus £31 a day in kennels
Even chipped or tagged dogs go to kennels. If not claimed by 4pm Friday, weekend kennelling is charged.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£200*
£200*
£200 to collect your dog from the council's kennels
The page doesn't say whether the £200 changes with days in kennels. Strays are collected Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North East
£85
£85
£25 legal fee, £30 admin fee and £30 a day in kennels
The fee is paid before your dog is delivered back to you.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£83
£83
£25 legal fee, £7 admin charge (including a free ID tag) and £51 for the first day in kennels, then £27 a day
Microchipping at reclaim, if needed, costs £25.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East of England
£100
£100
£100 covering pick-up and one night in kennels, then £25 for each extra day
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£250 standard fee (£25 legal fee and £225 collection) plus kennelling of up to £30 a day; £40 if your dog is delivered home
The £250 fee is payable in every case.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
East of England
£99
£99
£25 legal fee, £44 admin fee (£72 if not correctly microchipped) and £30 a day in kennels
The total is for a correctly microchipped dog. Delivery home costs £75.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
All-in release fee of £52 from temporary holding kennels, or £166.40 after admittance to boarding kennels
The council doesn't say which fee applies to an overnight stay; both include kennelling and the legal fee.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£26 'statutory' collection fee and £29.80 recovery fee, plus kennel costs, which aren't listed
Kennel fees are paid to City Dogs Home by cash or cheque. Charges can be waived in cases of extreme hardship.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£51.50*
£51.50*
£51.50 including the first day in kennels if your dog's microchip details are correct (£77.50 if not), then £15.50 a day
Kennelling is charged per day or part day, so collecting the next day may add £15.50 (£67).
Council's fees · for 2026
Scotland
£60
£60
£60 for one day, £85 for two, rising to £215 for seven days at Bandeath Dog Shelter
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£155*
£155*
£155 if your dog is kennelled; £86 if returned straight to you without kennels
The page doesn't say whether the £155 rises with more days in kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
North East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 admin fee plus daily kennel fees, which aren't listed, paid to Birmingham Dogs Home
A chipped or tagged dog returned straight to you costs the £25 legal fee.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£124
£124
£101 for one day (including the day your dog is picked up), £124 for two days and £258 for seven days; £35 if returned directly
Payments can't be taken outside working hours, so a dog taken in on Friday evening and collected Monday pays four days.
Council's fees · no year given
North East
£75*
£75*
£25 legal fee, £25 admin fee plus VAT and £25 a day in kennels plus VAT
The council's own table shows £75 for day 1 and £100 for day 2, without VAT added.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£136 collection fee (£180 out of hours), plus a nightly kennel fee, which isn't listed
The council's contractor tells you the total due.
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£140 for collecting and looking after your dog, plus kennel fees, which aren't listed
Sutton and Kingston share this service and its charges.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£136
£136
£136 if the council takes your dog to kennels on a weekday (£154 at weekends), then £27 for each extra day
£136 applies to dogs taken in 9am-4pm Monday to Thursday or 9am-12pm Friday; weekend mornings cost £154.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£170*
£170*
£147 release fee (including any vet costs) and £23 a day or part day in kennels
Kennelling is charged per day or part day, so collecting the next day may count as two days (£46 kennelling).
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£105
£105
£25 legal fee, £50 admin fee (£75 if not correctly microchipped) and £30 a day in kennels; £75 to bring your dog home
If your dog is returned straight to you without going to kennels, there's no charge. Repeat strays may pay up to £75 more.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£10 dogs home intake fee and £125 council fee, plus about £5 a day in kennels
Kennel fees are approximate, so an exact total isn't given. Dogs are kept at Acorn Kennels.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£123
£123
£123 for one night, including the legal fee and admin costs, rising £26 a night to £279 for seven nights
Same-day collection costs £97. Collect from Ninestones Kennels, Curdworth, 8.45am to 7pm daily.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South West
£104.93*
£104.93*
£25 legal fee, £53.14 call-out charge, £13.85 reception fee and £12.94 a day in kennels, plus VAT; £99.90 call-out out of hours
The council says all fees exclude VAT, so the amount you pay will be higher than this total.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£35 council fee if your dog's chip is up to date (£40 if not), plus kennel fees set by Hilbrae Kennels
Kennel fees are set by Hilbrae Kennels in Cold Hatton and aren't listed on the council's page.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£75*
£75*
£25 legal fee, £25 admin charge and £25 a day in kennels; £25 if you collect before kennelling (£50 without collar and tag)
Fees shown are for May 2024 to March 2025; the council's page hadn't been updated by October 2026.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£60 reclaim fee plus kennel fees, which aren't listed
Dogs can be reclaimed from Three Oaks Kennels, Bishops Waltham, 8am to 5pm daily.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£85*
£85*
£25 legal fee, £15 admin fee, £30 collection fee for the first hour (£15 each extra hour) and £15 a day in kennels
Charges are from Worcestershire Regulatory Services' table. A collection taking over an hour costs £15 for each extra hour.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£118
£118
£25 legal fee, £80 admin fee and £13 a day in kennels
The service runs Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm; fees can be paid online.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£102*
£102*
£25 legal fee, £52 weekday daytime call-out fee and £25 a day or part day in kennels
Kennelling is per full or part day, so collecting the next day may count as two days. Evening and weekend call-outs cost £72.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £90.50 if taken to kennels, plus daily kennel fees, which aren't listed
If your dog is returned without going to kennels, only the £25 legal fee is charged.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee, £65 call-out charge, £15 reception fee and £15 a day in kennels; £110 call-out out of hours
The council's 2026/27 fees schedule lists higher warden charges than its stray dogs page, so amounts may have changed.
Council's fees · no year given
Wales
£108.16
£108.16
£108.16 if reclaimed after one day, £52 within four hours, rising to £206.96 after seven nights
Out-of-hours costs may be added at the Kennels Officer's discretion.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £71 warden and admin fee (£98 without a current tag or chip), plus kennel costs, which aren't listed
Kennelling is charged at cost plus 10%. Lower admin fees (£22 or £44) apply for people on certain benefits.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
London
£83
£83
£64 reclaim fee and £19 a day in kennels
The council tells you the exact fee and where to collect your dog.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£42*
£42*
£42 'prescribed' fee if collected from Turnpike Depot; £93 if your dog has moved to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home
Salford City Council runs this service for Trafford. The Dogs Home may charge more for extra days.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £108 dog warden fee, plus kennel fees by the day or half day, which aren't listed
Kennel fees are paid directly to the kennels. £72 extra if taken to kennels out of hours.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£266*
£266*
£27.50 'statutory' fee, £40.50 admin fee, £184.50 collection fee and £13.50 a day in kennels
The 2026/27 figures are estimates set by a third party, and the council says it may charge one or more of these fees.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Wales
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
£229.50
£229.50
£198.50 reclaiming fee, including the £25 legal fee (£230.50 if found outside office hours), plus £31 a day in kennels
If not claimed by 4pm Friday, weekend kennelling is charged.
Council's fees · no year given
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
£25*
£25*
£25 admin fee if your dog is at the council's kennel; no kennel fee is listed
The council's page lists only this £25 fee and doesn't mention daily kennel charges.
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£30 a day in kennels, £40 for vaccinations after 24 hours, and a £25 reclamation fee the council may charge
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
£68.05*
£68.05*
£25 legal fee, £31.05 admin fee and £12 for each day or part day in kennels
Kennelling is per part day, so an overnight stay may count as two days (£80.05 in total). No returns at weekends.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£132
£132
£25 legal fee and £107 for the first day in kennels, then £21.80 a day
A lower concessionary rate is available.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£139.80
£139.80
£25 legal fee, £84.80 collection and call-out charge and £30 a day in kennels; £38.50 if your dog is brought home
Run by SDK Environmental, 7 days a week, 8:30am to 5pm. The contractor can't waive fees.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
East of England
£127
£127
£105 for collection and transfer to kennels, then £22 a day in kennels
A dog with a correct collar and tag that isn't kennelled is listed at £35.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee and £130 call-out fee, plus kennel costs, which aren't listed; £130 more if your dog is brought home
Run by the Public Protection Partnership. Kennel costs vary with the kennels used.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
South West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
£55*
£55*
£55 for the first 24 hours, then £10 more every 24 hours up to £100; £130 for repeat strays
Collecting more than 24 hours after pick-up costs £65. Pay Cheshire Dogs Home when you collect.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
Scotland
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee plus daily kennel charges, which aren't listed
Dogs go to Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. If an officer returns your dog directly, the £25 is invoiced.
Council's fees · no year given
East Midlands
£201*
£201*
£25 legal fee, £140 collection fee, £11 admin fee and £25 a day (or part day) in kennels
Fees shown are for 2025/26. Kennelling is per day or part day, so collecting the next day may cost £226.
Council's fees · for 2025/26
South East
£144.05
£144.05
£25 legal fee, £91.50 admin fee and £27.55 a day in kennels
Home delivery costs £110 extra, only if you ask for it.
Council's fees · no year given
East of England
£77.30
£77.30
£25 legal fee, £12 collection fee, £15.40 transfer to kennels, £9.60 admin charge and £15.30 a day in kennels
Dogs are collected 8.30am to 9pm, seven days a week.
Council's fees · no year given
London
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£25 legal fee, £17 a day in kennels and a £25 return to owner fee (£40 if not microchipped)
Fees can be higher depending on when your dog is returned; the council's contractor confirms the full amount.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£48*
£48*
£48 for one day, including the £25 legal fee, rising £20 a day to £168 for seven days
Fees come from the former Barrow Borough Council's undated page and may apply only to the Barrow area.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
£68*
£68*
£68 if claimed from the kennels within 24 hours; after that £65 plus £14 a day
Collecting the next day can be more than 24 hours after pick-up, when the charge becomes £65 plus £14 a day.
Council's fees · no year given
South West
£90
£90
£25 legal fee, £40 admin fee and £25 kennel charge for day 1 (£90); £112 by day 2
Unchipped dogs, or dogs with wrong chip details, get a 21-day notice to put it right.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
South East
£119*
£119*
£25 legal fee, £47 collection and admin fee, £37 a day or part day in kennels and a £10 kennels' reclaim fee
Kennelling is charged per day or part day, so collecting the next day may count as two days.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
South East
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
South East
Not enough detail
Not enough detail
£138 if you collect from the kennels (£25 legal fee plus £113 collection); £199 if the council returns your dog, with £36 a day from day 2
It isn't stated whether kennel costs apply after a night; if £36 is added, collecting yourself would cost £174.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£191.70*
£191.70*
£25 legal fee, £51.70 collection fee, £85 for returning your dog from kennels and £30 a day in kennels
The council doesn't say whether every owner pays the £85 'returning your dog from kennels' charge.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£97*
£97*
£80 'statutory fine' plus £17 a day in kennels
The council also mentions a collection fee but gives no amount. Dogs are currently kept at Birmingham Dogs Home.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£69
£69
£25 legal fee, £20 admin fee and £24 a day in kennels; £58 collection charge out of hours
Extra £16.50 if not properly microchipped and £48.50 for repeat strays. Run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
Council's fees · no year given
South East
£105*
£105*
£105 for up to one day (or part), including the £25 legal fee; £126 for up to two days and £231 for up to seven
If an overnight stay counts as two days, the fee is £126.
Council's fees · for 2026/27
Wales
£73
£73
£60 'statutory' fee, including collection, and £13 a day in kennels
The council says the £60 includes the £25 legal fee and the cost of its stray dog service.
Council's fees · no year given
West Midlands
£69
£69
£25 legal fee, £20 admin fee and £24 a day in kennels; £58 collection charge out of hours
Extra £16.50 if not properly microchipped and £48.50 for repeat strays. Run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
Council's fees · no year given
North West
Not listed
Not listed
The council's website doesn't list its fees. Ask when you call.
West Midlands
£69
£69
£25 legal fee, £20 admin fee and £24 a day in kennels
If your dog was picked up out of hours, there's an extra £58 collection charge.
Council's fees · no year given
Yorkshire and The Humber
£100*
£100*
£85 return charge and £15 a day or part day in kennels
Kennelling is charged per day or part day, so collecting the next day may count as two days.
Council's fees · no year given
How to avoid paying at all
A finder can take a stray dog straight back to its owner, which costs nothing, but only if they can tell who that is. Several councils also charge less, or nothing, when the warden can take your dog straight home instead of to kennels. Both depend on ID someone can read on the spot:
- A tag with your name and address, which the law asks for whenever your dog is in a public place. Our dog tag wording maker fits it on.
- Microchip details that are up to date, especially after a move or a new phone number. Our microchip number checker shows which database to ask.
- A QR tag that a finder can scan with their phone to reach you straight away, even out of office hours.
Dog missing now? Our guide to getting your dog back from the dog warden covers who to call and what to bring, and the free lost dog poster maker takes a minute.
How we worked it out
- We read each council's own stray dog page or fee schedule on 10 October 2026, for all 361 UK local authorities that deal with strays (the ONS list of local authority districts). Where a council uses a shared service or names its contracted kennels for fees, we used that. Nothing comes from news stories or other websites.
- "After one night" is what an owner would pay for a microchipped dog with correct details, collected by the warden in working hours, kept in kennels for one day and picked up the next day in office hours, with no vet treatment: the £25 legal fee, plus any admin or collection fee, plus one day's kennelling.
- Some councils charge kennelling "per day or part day", so collecting the next morning could count as two days. Those, and any total where the council's page is unclear, carry a and a note.
- 98 councils don't list their fees online, and for 7 we couldn't find a stray dog page. The middle cost and the counts only include the 186 councils whose fees give a one-night total.
Using this data? It's free to use, including in news stories: please credit PetTag and link to this page. Download it as a spreadsheet (CSV). Spotted a fee that's changed? Email press@pet-tag.app and we'll update it.
Questions
How much does it cost to get a dog back from the dog warden?+
It depends on your council. Of the 186 UK councils whose websites give enough detail to work it out, the middle cost for a dog kept one night was £100, and 13 charged £200 or more. Vet treatment is extra everywhere.
Is there a legal fee for reclaiming a stray dog?+
Yes, in England, Scotland and Wales. The Environmental Protection (Stray Dogs) Regulations 1992 set a £25 fee, which the law says is on top of the council's expenses, such as collecting your dog and kennelling it. Northern Ireland has its own dog law, and its councils' charges look quite different.
Why do councils charge such different amounts?+
The law lets a council recover its costs, and those vary: some collect strays themselves, others pay a contractor or private kennels, and kennels charge different daily rates. Some councils also add an admin fee, a collection fee or a charge for out-of-hours callouts.
How long do I have to reclaim my dog?+
In England, Scotland and Wales, seven clear days. After that the council can rehome your dog. In Northern Ireland it's five days. Kennel costs go up every day, so call as soon as your dog goes missing.
My council doesn't list its fees. What do I do?+
Ring its dog warden or stray dog service and ask what you'll need to pay, and what proof of ownership to bring, before you go to the kennels. Councils won't release a dog until the fees are paid.
Can I use this data?+
Yes. It's free to use, including in news stories, as long as you credit PetTag and link to this page. You can download all of it as a spreadsheet (CSV).
Sources
- Each council's own page, linked in the table above.
- The Environmental Protection (Stray Dogs) Regulations 1992, regulation 2: the £25 fee (legislation.gov.uk)
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 149: seizure of stray dogs (legislation.gov.uk)
- Local authority districts (December 2024) and their regions, Office for National Statistics