Lost or stray pets to be reported at petslocated.com

Members of the public wishing to report to the RSPCA that they have lost a pet or found an uninjured stray will need to use the service, petslocated.com, from December 1.

The charity announced that it will be changing the way reports of lost and found animals are logged, in order to help free up its cruelty helpline.

"This new way of logging lost and found animals means that our cruelty line will be able to take more calls about sick, injured or suffering animals, helping us to reach the animals who most need our help," explained Joanne Backham, national control centre process and performance manager.

The Pets Located service already exists, but has never before been used for all lost and found enquiries.

Staff at the RSPCA's branches and centres will also be able to register the details of animals handed in to them, creating a searchable network of strays dealt with by the charity.

Joanne added: "For the first time there will be a centralised online service that members of the public, RSPCA staff and professional organisations can use.

"We hope it will mean that there will be a greater chance of people being reunited with lost pets as reports of lost and found animals will be in one place and can be easily matched up."

It is free to report a stray animal using petslocated.com, or for those registering a lost pet, there is a 12-month fee of £10+VAT to post details online and on social media. Owners can also create their own "lost pet" poster and gain access to the database of found pets.

The RSPCA has recommended, however, that the owners of lost pets continue to check with local services such as vets and dog wardens.