Municipal Animal Control Shelters
Under Massachusetts laws all municipalities must have an animal control officer (ACO) and an animal holding facility to hold stray dogs for 7 days while they search for an owner. Our local ACOs often do so much more than that. Many ACOs not only take in stray dogs, but they take in cats, small animals and sometimes even livestock.
ACOs try to reunite animals with owners whenever possible but sometimes animals go unclaimed or can not be safely returned. Unclaimed animals may be transferred to licensed shelter/rescue organizations or may be placed up for adoption by the municipality. If you are looking to add a new pet to your home, please consider reaching out to your local ACO to see if they have adoptable animals available.
By adopting from a municipal animal control shelter you are certainly helping our local animals in need!
Featured Local Animals
Mass Animal Fund's spay/neuter voucher program provides free vouchers to dogs and cats in ACO care, so that they can have access to these services before adoption. The voucher program is primarily funded by voluntary donations on Line 33f of the Massachusetts Income Tax Form. Below are just a couple of the recent animals helped through line 33f and currently waiting to find a home!
Meet Orion
A local dog at the Gardner Animal Control Shelter
I am a young puppy (almost 1 year old). I am a little shy at first, but once you give me some treats, I will be your best friend. I'm fairly small at 40 pounds. I enjoy playing with toys. I will be a great addition to your family! I haven't had any formal obedience training, but I keep my kennel clean and I know how to sit! Would you please come meet me?
If you’re interested in meeting Orion, you can find his adoption page and fill out an application by visiting https://www.petfinder.com/.../gardner-animal-control.../
You can reach out to the shelter by emailing animaladoption@gardner-ma.gov or calling 978-630-4950
Meet Rex
A local dog available for adoption at the Webster Animal Control Shelter
Rex has been in ACO care since November 2024. Although he is super spoiled here with all the toys, cookies, hugs and kisses, etc, he deserves a home!
Food is his favorite thing in the world. He’s energetic but also will curl up on the couch with you after a long day. He seems to like the dogs in shelter. I am unsure about cats. He does need training for basic manners (jumping) and leash walking, but over all a good boy and means well! He is house broken. He is about a year and a half. He’s a mixed breed.
Rex was neutered through the Mass Animal Fund Voucher program and is up to date on rabies and distemper vaccines.
He would be a great protective and loyal dog for someone.
If you’re interested in meeting Rex, EMAIL ACO Roussin at roussind@websterpolice.com
Meet Enzo
This handsome boy is a 2yo Husky Pitbull mix is available to adopt through the Winchendon/Templeton Animal Control Shelter
He's neutered (through a Mass Animal Fund Voucher), up to date on rabies, and microchipped. He's now available for adoption!
Enzo is a friendly and high energy dog. He weighs about 70lbs. He can be a little shy and timid at first, but once he warms up, he'll be your best friend! Households with small children are a no-go for this guy. His temperament with cats is unknown.
Enzo is house trained, knows basic commands, and is very smart! He enjoys long walks, playing fetch and unstuffing the stuffies! He's a big strong boy that requires a lot of exercise. His ideal humans should have an active lifestyle.
View Enzo's Facebook post or email animalcontrol@townofwinchendon.com to find out more.
Licensed Shelter/ Rescue Organizations
For private organizations to be able to adopt out animals in Massachusetts they must be licensed with the Department of Agricultural Resources. This licensing process helps ensure the health and safety of Commonwealth animals and helps makes sure that adopters get the information and resources they need from the shelter/rescues.
In Massachusetts a shelter/rescue that is a 501c3 organization and that is dedicated to protecting animal welfare can obtain a license. Massachusetts issues two different shelter /rescue licenses: local or import.
A LOCAL LICENSE is issued to a shelter/rescue who accepts and adopts dogs and cats originating from within Massachusetts. By adopting from a shelter/rescue with a local license you are certainly helping our local animals in need!
An IMPORT LICENSE is issued to a shelter/rescue that is also allowed to import dogs and cats outside of the Commonwealth. Keep in mind a shelter/rescue with an import license may support local animals as well. If you are looking to adopt an animal from a shelter/rescue with an import license, don't forget to ask about what local animals they have!