Freedom of information response
Dog Shelters
We are researching the welfare and outcomes of dogs in local authority shelters (sometimes termed ‘pounds’), including euthanasia. We intend to analyse the data and include it in a scientific publication. We request the following information:
For each of the last 3 years (2021, 2022, 2023), please provide the following information
1. The number of dog places that you have available at any one time in your shelter(s) or pound(s)
2. The number of dogs that have spent any time in your dog shelter(s) or pound(s).
3. The number of stray dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s)
4. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for welfare reasons
5. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for human safety reasons
6. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were relinquished
7. The top 3 breeds of the dogs that entered the shelter/pound(s) plus amount of each breed
8. The number of dogs that were rehomed directly from your shelter
9. The number of dogs that were moved to another rehoming centre (e.g. run by a charity) in the UK/Ireland and abroad
10. The average length of stay of dogs in your shelter/pound(s)
11. The number of each type of breed of dog that were euthanised.
Currently:
1. Do you have any written policies on
a. Welfare of the dogs in your shelter/pound(s), including requirements for exercise, enrichment, formal behavioural assessment? Yes/ No (If yes, please provide)
b. Euthanasia of dogs in your shelter/pound(s)? Yes/ No (If yes, please provide)
2. Please provide your most recent inspection report including the recommendations for improvement
3. Please provide the Full Time Equivalent staff and level of formal training of the staff that work in your shelter/pound(s)
- The number of dog places that you have available at any one time in your shelter(s) or pound(s)
2
- The number of dogs that have spent any time in your dog shelter(s) or pound(s).
2021 – 64. 2022 – 99. 2023 – 94
- The number of stray dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s)
As above, we only take strays
- The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for welfare reasons
N/A
- The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for human safety reasons
N/A
- The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were relinquished
Unless claimed by owners, all dogs were classed as stray
- The top 3 breeds of the dogs that entered the shelter/pound(s) plus amount of each breed
2021 – German Shepherd, Jack Russell, Lurcher
2022 – Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Lurcher, German Shepherd and Terrier Cross
2023 – French Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull terrier cross, Lurcher and Staffordshire Bull Terrier
See attached spreadsheet for more information on other breeds
- The number of dogs that were rehomed directly from your shelter
2021 – 27
2022 – 56
2023 – 55
- The number of dogs that were moved to another rehoming centre (e.g. run by a charity) in the UK/Ireland and abroad
N/A
- The average length of stay of dogs in your shelter/pound(s)
7 days as per statute
- The number of each type of breed of dog that were euthanised.
2021 – none
2022 – 5
2023 - 2
Currently:
1. Do you have any written policies on
a. Welfare of the dogs in your shelter/pound(s), including requirements for exercise, enrichment, formal behavioural assessment?
The conditions are laid out in the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and the licence is issued in accordance to these.
b. Euthanasia of dogs in your shelter/pound(s)?
Euthanasia is covered in the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 for boarding kennels and again the licence is issued in accordance with these. All of our kennels have the regs attached to their licence when it is issued. Individual premises will have their own policies and procedures in place and will have been checked at each inspection in to ensure they meet the required conditions.
2. Please provide your most recent inspection report including the recommendations for improvement
The last full inspection report was produced in 2021 as they are due for renewal this year. They will be reinspected this year.
3. Please provide the Full Time Equivalent staff and level of formal training of the staff that work in your shelter/pound(s)
Subcontracted to third party supplier