RSPCA awards Council’s stray dogs service platinum standard

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been recognised in the 2025 RSPCA PawPrint Awards, picking up a new platinum accolade after reaching its fourteenth successful year.

The Council scooped the Platinum Award for exceeding legal requirements in the way it handles stray dogs and in recognition of the hard work and dedication of Council staff.

The Platinum Award was introduced a couple of years ago for organisations with over five years’ success at achieving the gold standard.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Pride and Community Safety, Councillor Stuart Bingham said: 

“Many thanks to everyone involved in our stray dog service. Fourteen years of achieving the RSPCA’s top standard for our work with stray dogs is a wonderful achievement.

“Dog owners can really help our Public Protection team by ensuring that their pets are kept safe, are both tagged and micro-chipped and by picking up after them.  It is a legal requirement for a dog to be both microchipped and to have a tag with their owner’s name and address; a telephone number on the tag is helpful too.

“Please help to keep your dogs safe throughout their lives by making sure you register your details and keep them up to date. As well as being legal requirements, getting your dog tagged and microchipped means you can be reunited with them as quickly as possible if they go astray.”

The Council is also stressing the importance of only using licensed boarding kennels that have been checked by the Council’s animal health officers.  In two recent incidents in Cheshire West, the welfare of dogs placed in unlicensed premises was seriously compromised, while another recent case in Liverpool was reported by the BBC:

'We went on holiday and never saw our dog again' - BBC News

Always check that the business has a current licence rather than relying on knowledge of a previous licence being in place. 

Lee Gingell, Public Affairs Manager at the RSPCA, said:

“We’re delighted to recognise Cheshire West and Chester Council with a Platinum Award in this year’s RSPCA PawPrint Awards. Their commitment to animal welfare is truly commendable, and we hope their example inspires others to strive for excellence.”

If you need to report a stray dog the following telephone numbers can be used:

Telephone:

0300 123 7038 (option 1)

8am - 7pm, Monday to Friday

Outside of these hours (including weekends and Bank Holidays) - call:

0300 123 7035

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