Tara Boswell’s job as the dog warden for London’s most populous borough is full of highs and lows.
Throughout her 17 years as Croydon ’s dedicated – and sole – dog warden, she has rescued countless strays, reuniting them with their owners or finding them safe, loving new homes. Yet despite her experience and a raft of RSPCA awards, Tara says the job still has its challenges.
“Earlier this year I had a dog that was brought into a local vet’s, had given birth in a plastic bag with two dead puppies already in the bag, and there was one left stuck in there,” Tara told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
“That dog was obviously traumatised, but that puppy survived and they went on into rescue and to live incredible lives. That is just what rescue is all about… If I didn’t have that, the job would be very difficult.”
While she does not respond to distressing incidents like this every day, Tara said finding abandoned dogs in such conditions leaves a lasting mark.
“When you see a dog like that you go into a mode of feeling ‘this dog needs me’. You channel that shock and emotion into doing something positive. Usually it’s afterwards, when I’m reflecting on it, that it hits me.”
When Tara returns home, she always reminds her own dog “how lucky they are”.
Stray dogs have always needed rehoming, but Tara says the types of dogs coming into care—and the reasons they have been abandoned—have shifted.
“The stray dog issue is the same in terms of volume—we are always busy, as are most London boroughs,” she explained. “What has changed is the type of dogs we collect.”
The surge in puppy ownership during lockdown means Tara now encounters breeds rarely seen as strays in the past. “I pick up quite a lot of French bulldogs, which I never used to,” she said.
Increased financial hardship across the borough is also taking a toll. “There is a lot more financial strain with the cost of living,” she added. “People might also have to give up their dog if they’re forced into rented accommodation.”
While dogs are at the heart of the role, Tara spends much of her time dealing with owners. Following reported incidents, she contacts owners directly to resolve disputes.
“It’s about encouraging them to be responsible with their dog and making sure that doesn’t happen again,” she said. “That could be getting them to keep their dog on a lead or muzzled.
It’s not always black and white, though; it could just be that two dogs haven’t got on. Due to the number of puppies bought in lockdown, some are a bit under-socialised.”
Tara believes public understanding of stray dogs and pet safety is improving, with the internet playing a key role in raising awareness. “Social media really helps; you can reach people now in a way that you probably wouldn’t have before,” Tara said.
“You see communities come together to reunite lost dogs, especially if they have been stolen. Previously, we had to rely on physical posters.”
Award winner three years running
Tara also credits her strong network of rescue contacts as a major reason why she recently won the RSPCA’s platinum PawPrints Award—the scheme’s highest accolade—for the third consecutive year.
“Because I have these fantastic rescue contacts, I am able to get the dogs straight out once they have been found,” she said. “This saves the council money in kennel fees.”
Once a stray dog is collected, national law states that pet owners have only seven days before the animal becomes council property. “Not a lot of people know this,” Tara noted.
Many residents are also surprised to learn that the council employs a dog warden at all. However, Tara says most people only contact her during a crisis, when empathy is essential.
“When someone contacts you to say they have lost their dog, don’t come back with a blanket email. Show compassion,” she said.
“That person’s heart is breaking. Remembering that those dogs are why you started in the first place is what makes you a good dog warden—and that is what has led me to get those awards. I just really care.”
Advice from Croydon’s award-winning warden
Asked what advice she would offer current and prospective dog owners, Tara emphasised the weight of the commitment.
“Try to remember that if you buy or adopt a dog, you are committing to that dog and need to make sure you have the finances to support it,” she said.
While Tara understands the appeal of buying a puppy, she highlighted the many rescue dogs waiting for a second chance through adoption.
“There is a real myth that rescue dogs are broken or more difficult; that is just not the case,” she told the LDRS. “I believe we are a nation of animal lovers, and this is a time we need to pull together because these dogs need rescue spaces.”
On safety, Tara stressed vigilance in public spaces, particularly given ongoing concerns around dog theft in the capital.
“When you get a friendly dog park, people are all too happy to let their dog off, chat, and go on their phones,” she warned. “Keep an eye on your dog—it is valuable to you. Train your dog and make sure it has got good recall if you are going to let it off the lead.”
Tara also urged all owners to microchip their pets. This ensures they can be swiftly identified and reunited should they ever go missing.
