Lost dogs may be a fact of life, but ranger Margaret Gaal said there are vital steps that people should take to help reunite them with their four-legged friend.

In December, 55 dogs wound up at the pound – some were dropped off, others were collected by council rangers following call outs from the general public.

Of those dogs, just 18 were released to their owners.

Ms Gaal said unfortunately too many people do not microchip or register their pets.

Others fail to update their contact details on their pet’s microchip.

“There’s a very slim chance of getting your dog back if it’s unregistered and not microchipped,” Ms Gaal said.

“If it’s microchipped, but unregistered, and the dog is brought here [to the pound], owners will be called if the contact details are correct.”

Ms Gaal said all too often people simply do not update their pet’s microchip details when they move, change contact numbers or no longer own the animal.

“A lot of the time the information is incorrect and sometimes they microchip can move,” she said.

Unregistered and un-microchipped dogs that end up at the pound get just seven days to be claimed or find a new home.

After that they are sent to a rescue organisation, but Ms Gaal said they will not always be accepted.

Eight of the dogs that were brought into the pound in December has parvovirus, others had unacceptable behavioural issues.

On Wednesday, Ms Gaal said another dog was dropped off to the pound after it was found wandering the streets in Raglan.

“It’s a rhodesian ridgeback cross. She’s an adult female that’s not microchipped and not registered,” she said.

The dog will get just seven days to be claimed or purchased.

For people who find a stray or lost pet, Ms Gaal asked them to call council, drop it off to the pound or take it to a vet to have its micorchip scanned.