The only working Animal Control pager is: 978-217-2681
Key in your call-back number then press the # key!
Alternate ways to reach me:
via telephone 978-544-3402
or new Email exclusively for ACO business:
animalcontrol@town.warwick.ma.us
Address: 203 Orange Road
Town Hall: ACO/Animal Inspector Mailbox
This is the current list of the ACO's duties and responsibilities.
On August 19th, the Selectboard voted the following changes to the Dog Control Fee Schedule. The changes are effective September 1, 2013.
Loose Dog Fees:
$50.00 for a first offense
$75.00 for a second offense
$100.00 for a third and any subsequent offenses
Fee for Unvaccinated Dog: $20.00
Fee for Unlicensed Dog: $20.00
Pick-Up Fee: $15.00
Daily Boarding Fee: $10.00
The Pick-Up fee will be assessed regardless of who picks up the dog. If the ACO picks up the dog, the ACO will be paid the fee; if someone else brings the dog to the ACO, the fee will remain in the Animal Control Revolving Account.
Late Fee for Dog Licenses: $10.00
The late license fee will be effective June 1st each calendar year for dog(s) that were 6 months of age or older and living in Town during the open license period of March 1- May 31.There is one fee per license, so kennel licenses will also be assessed a $10 fee for the license, regardless of how many dogs are on that license.
SHY GIRL female beagle who loves to run but is very loving with people
Procedures for the 2013 Barns and Livestock Inspections and Reports
This is so I know to visit your property this Fall.
Livestock: Cattle (Dairy or Beef), Steer, Oxen, Horses, Ponies, Donkeys, Mules, Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Llamas, Alpacas, Rabbits, Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Geese, Game Birds, Emu, Ostrich
Attention LIVESTOCK Owners: Please see the Animal Inspector's article explaining the procedures for the 2010 Barn and Livestock inspections to be done this Fall. This is especially important for those who are new in Town or have recently obtained livestock.
For those with dogs that have not yet been licensed, Massachusetts General Law requires all dogs 6 months of age and older be vaccinated against rabies and licensed annually in Town. Please contact Town Clerk Rosa Calcari at 544-8304 during her normal office hours of 9 am to noon on Mondays. License fees are $5.00 for spayed or neutered dogs; $10.00 for intact; kennel licenses also available for up to 4 dogs, 4-10 dogs and over 10 dogs.
Anyone who needs assistance in obtaining licenses, please contact ACO Rosa at 544-3402.
Recently a senior golden retriever ran off, and was missing for an entire day. Turns out several people saw the dog, but declined to call Animal Control because they did not want someone to have to pay a loose dog fee. This dog did come home safely, but what if he had not? There have been dogs - and cats - killed by motor vehicles or predators. Please think about this -- wouldn't you rather pay a $50 fee for the safe return of your dog instead of you or someone else having to discover the pet injured or killed?
After years of constant companionship, however, you may not see the first subtle signs of decline. No matter how close you are, your dog does not know how to communicate little aches and pains, and even some bigger discomforts to you. She doesn't understand what's happening to her when she can't run as fast or jump as high. Most vets recommend that your dog be screened for the symptoms of aging and then come for twice-yearly visits when she is a senior. To determine when it's time for the first screening, you have to understand how your dog's medical history and breed might hasten or stave off her senior symptoms. Recommendations for senior wellness screenings and check-ups include: for dogs over 80 pounds, begin between ages 4 and 6; dogs 51 to 80 pounds, between 6 and 8; dogs 16 to 50 pounds, between 7 and 9; dogs 15 pounds or less, between 9 and 11. It is your responsibility to maintain your dog's health and sense of security so that she will able to enjoy her natural athletic ability as long as possible. You must be perceptive, noticing changes in your dog's moods and habits. It takes love and commitment to help your dog navigate old age, but it will be returned with unconditional love.
Don't be tempted to share rich holiday treats with your pet, as a serious illness - such as pancreatitis - can occur. Turkey skin, cooked bones, gravy, rich/butter-laden side dishesor desserts, and chocolate are not to be fed to your pets. Also be aware that holiday plants including poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe and Cedar Christmas trees are toxic to dogs. Keep seasonal decorations, especially candles and tinsel, and all kitchen trash out of reach of your four-footed friends. Don't be afraid to gently but firmly remind your holiday guests that you want them to resist those pleading canine eyes and not feed any holiday fare to your dog. An ill pet and costly visits to the veterinarian do not make for happy holidays.
As you well know, YELP FOR HELP is the sole funding source for veterinary care for stray and abandoned animals in ACO custody. The expense budget voted at each Annual Town Meeting would not cover all the necessary vet care for even one animal, especially since most strays have several medical issues requiring treatment. If YELP goes broke, no more animals will be saved. Please donate this Holiday season. Every dollar matters, so even a $1.00 donation will help. Craft fairs is all the fundraising I have, so individual donations outside of those activities are sorely needed. Please call Rosa at 978-544-3402 or Email animalcontrol@town.warwick.ma.us. Give a gift that helps an animal that cannot help itself. Thank you.
PAWS to give Thanks: For the unconditional love and companionship of our pets.
When You Need Help, You Need to Yelp!:
When you have an issue with a dog, you must report it. If you wish
to remain anonymous, leave a message on the ACO voicemail. I cannot act to solve a problem if I remain
uninformed about the situation. I do not have a psychic connection to all the dogs in Warwick, and therefore do
not know where they are or what they are doing! I can be reached in the following ways -- Phone: 978-544-
3402; Pager: 978-217-2681; Email wardendoggiejail2004@yahoo.com . Please note that sometimes pages do
not come through and sometimes I do not hear the telephone because I am sleeping, but I always follow up on
an issue about which I have been informed.
There has been a rash of reports about feral or abandoned cats in two specific areas of Town: Pine Street and Northfield Road.
In both areas, intact cats are continuing to breed. In one case, the owner died and relatives have claimed responsibility for feeding the cats, but are not addressing the breeding problem. In the other case, there are reports of former house cats abandoned by the owner who moved out of state, along with cats belonging to a home whose owners allow them to roam and breed at will.
Without a shelter, and with only one humane trap, it is beyond the resources of this ACO to realistically or effectively tackle a problem of this magnitude. Therefore, I am currently seeking assistance from other agencies to remedy the problems.
Anyone who finds litters of kittens please contact me immediately at 978-544-3402 or page 978-217-2681. Animal Control from a nearby town will help by getting moms and babies into foster homes.
Until further notice, the Animal Control Officer will NOT take into her custody or into her home, any stray cats or kittens.
The ACO will assist those who find stray cats or kittens in obtaining placement for these animals, if available. If an individual agrees to foster the stray, YELP FOR HELP will pay for necessary veterinary care (vaccinations, tests, treatment for parasites, spay/neuter).
Shelters put a freeze on taking in new cats; shelters in this region have told me, knowing that I am an ACO, that they anticipate the current freeze will extend until at least February of 2009. These facilities, whether municipal or non-profit, enjoy the benefit of a full staff plus volunteers, along with the appropriate cages to house cats individually or in quarantine when necessary. Your ACO's private home serves as a shelter for the Town of Warwick, without benefit of additional staff or volunteers, and without cages or a quarantine area. Seventeen cats are currently in the home. Once the number of cats has dropped to a more reasonable and manageable number, through adoption or other placement, this policy will be rescinded.
While it is heart wrenching to admit -- and I have shed many tears over this fact -- I cannot save them all. I am but one person doing all this rescue work from my own home. To remain at my most effective at rescuing and placing homeless animals, limits must be set.
Please be on the lookout for any unusual activity, as more kittens may be dumped out to die if not rescued by Animal Control or concerned, kind citizens. Special thanks go to Adam Holloway, Barbara and Tom Millunzi, Mary Ellen Hatch, Deanna Thompson and Tia Albert for their assistance in the ongoing rescue/foster operations.
What if YELP FOR HELP earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support the stray animals in need? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the organizations its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause.
Just go here and be sure to enter
Town of Warwick Animal Control and Care
as the organization you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!
Another way to benefit YELP FOR HELP with no additional cost to you is iGivecom. Shop as you normally would online, with almost 700 merchants to choose from, and those merchants will donate a percentage to "Yelp".
Just go here to register and designate YELP FOR HELP as your organization. Each time you shop, go to iGive.com first, then select the website at which you wish to shop. You pay nothing extra, registration and use of iGive.com is free, and YELP FOR HELP will still benefit!
Your Animal Control Officer and the homeless strays thank you!
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