Found an animal

If the animal is in immediate danger, or you are, call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8960 now. Otherwise, two questions and this page will tell you what the RSPCA and the law say, and who near you takes that animal in.

What have you found?

• A birdpigeon, gull, garden bird, bird of prey, swan
• A wild mammalhedgehog, fox, badger, bat, deer, rabbit
• A dog or catsomeone’s pet, or a stray
• A horse or donkeyincluding ponies
• A farmed animalchickens, hens, goats
• A seal, whale or dolphinon a beach or in shallow water
• A reptile or amphibiansnake, lizard, frog, newt

What this page is

Every instruction here is the RSPCA’s or the law’s, named and linked. None of it is this site’s own advice, and there is none to give: the people who can help are a vet, the RSPCA, and the organisations listed. If something here disagrees with what a vet tells you, the vet is in front of the animal and this page is not.

Last reviewed 23 August 2026. In an emergency the RSPCA’s line is 0300 123 8960.

This is a description of the law, not legal advice. Every row links to the primary source and carries the date it was last checked. Check the source before relying on it — general licences are reissued each January and commencement dates move.