Recognizing the need for animal control services in rural communities, our office established a Regional Animal Control Officer Program to provide essential support and resources to local towns. The program currently serves Brookline, Dummerston, Grafton, Guilford, Newfane, Putney, Westminster, Windham, and Vernon.

Our Regional Animal Control Officer works to protect public safety, promote responsible animal ownership, and ensure the welfare of animals throughout the region. Responsibilities include responding to reports of animals at large, enforcing animal registration requirements, addressing vicious or dangerous animals, overseeing quarantine requirements, and investigating animal welfare concerns and suspected animal cruelty. These services encompass livestock, domestic pets, and exotic animals.

In addition to enforcement, the program emphasizes public education and community outreach, helping pet owners and the general public understand and comply with state laws and local ordinances. The officer also collaborates with regional Game Wardens to address wildlife-related concerns and support the safe and appropriate management of wildlife issues.

A key component of the program is its partnership with the Windham County Humane Society through the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program. This initiative helps manage the community’s feral and stray cat populations by humanely trapping cats, having them spayed or neutered, and returning them to their original locations. The program helps reduce unwanted litters while supporting a more humane, long-term approach to community cat management.

Through these efforts, the Regional Animal Control Officer Program strengthens public safety, promotes animal welfare, and provides rural communities with access to essential animal control services.