Animal Control Services
The Buxton PD in the last year hired our part-time Animal Control Officer into a full-time position. The Animal Control Officer is responsible for the enforcement of the state and municipal animal welfare laws. The ACO’s duties are limited to domesticated animals, but will also respond and assist if requested by a Game Warden, for calls involving wildlife when rabies is a concern.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Cats need collars / identification too! Without ID, shelters are only required to hold your cat for 48 hours.
- To help reduce the “feral” / stray cat population, spay or neuter your own cats! It’s healthier for all.
- Cats are “free roamers” under Maine State Law. A wandering cat is not necessarily lost, stray, hungry or in need of help. Unless the animal is obviously sickly or injured, please leave them alone to find their way home.
- The fastest way to get a pet that has wandered off back home is to contact the Buxton Police Department as soon as you realize the animal is missing.
- PLEASE let the wildlife stay wild! Observe from a distance but do not touch, especially babies. Mom is most likely hiding nearby but will not show herself until you are long gone. If you are concerned, call the Saco River Wildlife Center at 207-420-7159 or the Maine State Police Game Warden’s at 207-624-7076 ext. 9.
- IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ANIMAL RELATED INCIDENT AND THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER REQUESTS YOU TO WRITE A STATEMENT, PLEASE USE THE WITNESS STATEMENT FORM.
- Opossums are one of Maine’s newest migrant animals; they are not native to our area but seem to be establishing themselves here. They are timid and harmless, although they will “hiss” and show their teeth when cornered. They’re more likely to “play dead” rather than run away, when frightened. They are best left to wander off on their own accord.
- If you have lost a pet or find a lost pet please contact Maine Lost Dog Recovery on Facebook or Maine Lost Cat Recovery, so they can make a post.
- If you or someone you know is looking to surrender your dog or cat, please contact your local Animal Control Officer. If you are attempting to surrender an animal to Buxton PD, please download and complete the surrender packets found on the department forms page or using the links below. There are separate packets for dog and cat, please be sure to fill out the correct packet, according to the animal you are surrendering. Once completed please turn the packet in to the Animal Control Officer.
REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY
- If you suspect abuse, neglect, inhumane living conditions or inadequate shelter, please contact the Buxton Police Department at 207-929-6612.
STRAY OR FERAL ANIMALS
- The Town of Buxton contracts with the Animal Refuge League at 449 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook Maine to receive stray or lost animals.
- For more information on the ARL please click the button below.
VACCINATIONS FOR YOUR PET
- For more information about vaccinations for your pet please click the button.
WILDLIFE – HOW TO CONTACT GAME WARDEN’S
- Wildlife issues are handled by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (Game Warden’s of the Maine State Police)
- To contact the Game Warden’s please call 207-624-7076 – ext. 9
DOG LICENSING
- All dogs have to be licensed in the State of Maine (even small ones) by February 1st to avoid late fees. After that, a summons can be issued.
- The Department of Animal Welfare oversees dog licensing in the State of Maine. State law requires you to license your dog by December 31st each year. The license fee is $6 for a neutered / spayed dog and $11 for an unaltered dog. You may license your dog in person at the Town Hall or online.
- To license your pet online please click the button below.
- NOTE: Online licensing is from October 15th through January 31st. After that time period the website is shutdown and a $25 late fee may be charged.
- Dog Licenses expire annually on December 31st. Please make sure you have your dog’s current rabies vaccination certificate ready at the time of licensing.
- ALL dogs need to be licensed upon reaching the age of 6 months in the town where it resides or after the dog has been with the family for 10 days, if adopted. If you have a service dog, the licensing fee may be waived.
- For more information on Dog Licensing please click below.
FAQ’s
- My pet got loose and hasn’t come back, What do I do now?
- You should call the Buxton Police Department at 207-929-6612 and make a lost animal report.
- Next, you should call the Animal Refuge League at 207-856-2696 to see if someone brought the animal in. Please see the link to the ARL under STRAY OR FERAL ANIMALS
- If you live near a town line you should also call the animal control officer or police department for that town. View a list of Animal Control Officers for contact purposes in the link below.
- My dog / myself got bit by another dog, do I need to do anything?
- YES! If possible, get the following information:
- Address where incident occurred
- Dog’s name
- Dog’s vaccine status
- Owner’s name and phone number
- Veterinarian they use
- Then call the Buxton Police Department as soon as you can. We need to know that a bite happened so it can be recorded and we can make sure the dog is healthy.
- This DOES NOT mean that we are going to take the dog; that rarely happens.
- YES! If possible, get the following information:
- My neighbors dog keeps coming on my property, how do I address this?
- First, try talking to the owner of the dog. Most of the time they don’t know that the dog comes over or that it bothers someone when this occurs.
- If that doesn’t work, or you feel uncomfortable with that, you can call Buxton Animal Control at 207-929-6612, and we can speak to them about the issue.
- I saw a fox / coyote / racoon / skunk near my house, should I be concerned?
- Most likely no. They are normally not a threat to people. These animals will come out during the day.
- If you have food our for cats or other animals, take it inside. Keep your cats and small dogs inside or only let them out with supervision. Foxes and coyotes have been known to go after small domestic animals.
- However, if the animal is showing odd behavior, such as “looking drunk” or being aggressive, then you should contact the Buxton Animal Control at 207-929-6612 or the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
CONTACT ANIMAL CONTROL:
- If you can no longer care for your pet, or you are struggling to care for it properly and you need help.
- Anytime you have concerns about the health or well-being of an animal, domestic or wild.
- If you need assistance with pet food, please reach out. We have resources and can help.
- If your pet is lost or you find a lost or injured pet.
If you have any questions regarding the information above, please call Buxton PD at 207-929-6612 and ask for the Animal Control Officer.
Buxton Police Department 