🚨 Urgent support
I have an urgent situation
Access emergency contacts and specialist guidance for situations where immediate support may be needed.
HomeWagger is not an emergency service. Use the options below to identify the safest and most appropriate next step.
Immediate emergency
Is anybody in immediate danger?
Call 999 or 112 now where there is an immediate threat to life, serious injury, violence, fire, a dangerous-dog incident or another emergency requiring the emergency services.
Do not wait for a response from HomeWagger where somebody is in immediate danger.
Choose the closest situation
Find the right urgent support
Choose the situation that best matches what is happening right now. Where several situations apply, deal with any immediate danger first.
Veterinary emergency
My dog is seriously ill or injured
Contact your veterinary practice immediately or use its emergency out-of-hours service.
Urgent signs may include:
- Difficulty breathing or collapse
- Severe bleeding or serious trauma
- Repeated seizures
- Suspected poisoning
- Extreme pain or distress
Human emergency
A person is in immediate danger
Call 999 or 112 where there is an immediate risk of violence, serious injury, harm or another life-threatening situation.
Call 999 for:
- Immediate danger to life
- Violence or serious injury
- An emergency happening now
Public safety
A dog is attacking or presenting an immediate danger
Move yourself and other people to safety where possible.
- Call 999 where a person is in immediate danger.
- Call 101 for a non-emergency police matter.
Welfare concern
I am concerned that a dog is being abused or neglected
Report what you have safely and lawfully observed using the appropriate animal-welfare reporting service.
Call 999 where violence is taking place or a person is in immediate danger.
Unsafe home
I need to leave an unsafe home with my dog
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Specialist domestic-abuse organisations can help with safety planning, refuge accommodation and confidential pet-fostering support.
Lost or found dog
My dog is lost, found or roaming
Report a lost, found or stray dog to the relevant local council or dog-warden service.
- Contact nearby veterinary practices
- Notify the dog’s microchip database
- Check local missing-dog reports
Urgent practical support
I may lose my dog today
This may include hospital admission, sudden homelessness, domestic abuse, arrest, detention or another immediate crisis.
Contact trusted family or friends and any relevant support workers, local authority services, veterinary practices or rescue organisations as soon as possible.
Planned rehoming
I need to rehome my dog, but nobody is in immediate danger
Rehoming does not normally need to happen within hours. Taking time to explore support and plan safely can prevent rushed or unsuitable decisions.
HomeWagger can help you explore support-first options and follow a more responsible rehoming pathway where necessary.
General guidance
I’m not sure which situation applies
Deal with immediate danger or urgent veterinary needs first.
Where the situation is not an emergency, HomeWagger may be able to help you understand the available support and rehoming pathways.
HomeWagger’s role
HomeWagger is not an emergency response service
HomeWagger does not operate a 24-hour rescue line and cannot dispatch police officers, veterinary professionals, animal-welfare inspectors, emergency transport or foster carers.
Please do not wait for a response from HomeWagger where:
- Somebody is in immediate danger.
- A dog requires emergency veterinary treatment.
- Violence or a dangerous-dog incident is taking place.
- Serious cruelty is happening now.
- Delaying action could make the situation worse.
Use the emergency or specialist contact shown for your situation.
Animal-welfare services vary across the UK
Emergency numbers 999, 112, 101 and NHS 111 are available across the UK. Animal-welfare reporting, stray-dog services and local support arrangements may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Check the service covering the area where the incident or urgent situation is taking place.
Non-emergency contact
Still unsure which pathway applies?
Where nobody is in immediate danger and the situation does not require emergency veterinary care, you can contact HomeWagger for general guidance and signposting.
Messages are not monitored as an emergency service and an immediate response cannot be guaranteed.
Contact HomeWagger