Welcome to the Westford Animal Control Page. The Animal Control Officer is the local animal care and control professional. This person helps the public deal with problems caused by animals. This person also works with other local agencies, such as social services and law enforcement, to protect all members of families, both two-legged and four-legged.
Long gone are the term "dogcatcher" and the image of a man with a butterfly net. Animal care and control professionals now perform a variety of services that help animals as well as people: rescuing injured animals, controlling stray and potentially dangerous animals roaming at large, and bringing lost pets to an animal shelter where their owners can reclaim them.
The Animal Control Officer works to protect stray, injured, abused, and unwanted animals. This person has different job titles in different communities - Animal Control Officer, Animal Services Officer, Humane Officer, Humane Investigator, Animal Warden - but is the one who responds to calls about neglected or lost animals, and often the first person to provide comfort and compassion to animals in need.
Here are a few ways you can help your local Animal Control program help people and animals:
Provide for your pet's safety. Keep a collar and identification tags on your pet at all times and ensure that your pet is always properly supervised or safely confined when you're not home.
Spay or neuter you pet and keep him or her current on all necessary vaccinations, especially the vaccination for rabies
Encourage local government officials to support the Animal Control program: it is one of our community's life-saving services. Urge officials to take crimes against animals seriously and to advance pro-animal legislation. Support efforts to enact and enforce pro-animal ordinances.
Support your local Animal Control program. We need funds to serve the community effectively, to train and equip our staff, and to secure vehicles to transport animals safely and comfortably. We can't fulfill our mission without your help.
Emergencies
For animal related emergencies, contact the Westford Police Dept, 978-692-2161.
The Animal Control Department is available to respond to situations involving wild and domestic animals. Duties include enforcement of state and local laws regarding animals, including enforcement of the leash law. Complaints regarding animals and animal cruelty are investigated by the Animal Control Officer. The Animal Control Department operates the town kennel and deals with the placement of unclaimed dogs. Dead animals on public ways are also covered by the Animal Control Officer.
Lost & Found Pets
Please report lost and found cats and dogs to the Animal Control Officer or Assistant. If you reach an answering machine after hours, please be sure to leave complete name, address, town, phone number and description of animal. This will greatly assist the Officers in reuniting pets with their happy owners.
Dog Licenses & Fees
See the Dog License page or contact the Town Clerk, Kaari Mai Tari , 978-692-5515, Town Hall, 1st Floor, 55 Main Street. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM to 4 PM. This can also be done by mail.
Fees: $10 per dog (waived for owners 70 or older). Owners who have not obtained a dog license by March 31st will be charged an additional $25. All dogs over six months old must be licensed and tagged and show proof of rabies vaccination. Licenses are valid through the end of the calendar year and must be renewed each January.
Leash Law
A 24 hour Leash Law is in effect in the town of Westford. Dogs found off their property will be picked up and taken to the dog pound on Beacon Street. A $25 fine will be charged for the 1st offense, $50 fine for the 2nd offense, and $75 fine for the third offense, $100 subsequent, $15.00 per day if dog is picked up. For help call the pound or for emergency call Westford Police.
Rabies Clinic
This service is offered by the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital. Both dogs and cats can be immunized for a fee of $15.00. Watch the local paper for scheduled clinics. In 2007 the Rabies Clinic will be held on March 24th from 9:00am - 12:00pm at the Main Fire Station.
For Help With:
Other Related Problems: Contact Westford Police, 978-692-2161
Note: The general public is warned against handling wild animals no matter how appealing they are. If you cannot resist and are bitten, contact your physician.
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