North Reading Animal Control

05/30/2026

5/30/26 Here we go again! Hurricane Force Winds & Rain are expected all day! Be prepared! Take your dog outside on a leash, don't leave any room for a gate to be opened or a fence to be down and find that out when it's too late and your dog has already become lost!

2/23/26 Many reports of down fences, downed trees and live wires down. Take precaution with your pets BEFORE you let them out. This storm will have lots of clean up involved! Please check your fences for damage as well as gates, storm doors prior to taking your dogs out! Best to have them leashed at all times during this type of weather!

12/19/25 We have some strong winds today and tomorrow. Please check your fences for damage as well as gates, storm doors prior to taking your dogs out! Best to have them leashed at all times during this type of weather!

12/10/25 Dangerous wind advisory in effect for the next 36 hours which means lots of down fences, open gates, fallen trees and branches as well as power outages. Take precautions BEFORE you let your dog out and put them on a leash. You don't want to find out you are missing a part of your fence when it's too late. If you have no power, then an electric fence will no longer work either!

The wind advisory also means your pets can't be left outside for longer than 15 minutes. Best to go out with them and then bring them right back inside. If you see something, say something to your Animal Control Officer!

10/14/25 Dangerous wind advisory in effect which means lots of down fences, open gates, fallen trees and branches as well as power outages. Take precautions BEFORE you let your dog out and put them on a leash. You don't want to find out you are missing a part of your fence when it's too late. If you have no power, then an electric fence will no longer work either!

The wind advisory also means your pets can't be left outside for longer than 15 minutes. Best to go out with them and then bring them right back inside. If you see something, say something to your Animal Control Officer!

3/7/25 Dangerous wind advisory in effect which means lots of down fences, open gates, fallen trees and branches as well as power outages. Take precautions BEFORE you let your dog out and put them on a leash. You don't want to find out you are missing a part of your fence when it's too late. If you have no power, then an electric fence will no longer work either!

The wind advisory also means your pets can't be left outside for longer than 15 minutes. Best to go out with them and then bring them right back inside. If you see something, say something to your Animal Control Officer!

2/28/24 Dangerous wind advisory in effect from 7 pm tonight through 7 pm tomorrow night means lots of down fences, open gates, fallen trees and branches as well as power outages. Take precautions BEFORE you let your dog out and put them on a leash. You don't want to find out you are missing a part of your fence when it's too late. If you have no power, then an electric fence will no longer work either!

The wind advisory also means your pets can't be left outside for longer than 15 minutes. Best to go out with them and then bring them right back inside. If you see something, say something to your Animal Control Officer!

05/28/2026

I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE 7" OPOSSUM RECOMMENDATION! I would never release one that small in New England!

Everything Gardening

Every year, thousands of healthy baby wild animals are accidentally taken from their parents by people trying to help.

In many cases, being alone is completely normal.

🦌 A fawn lying quietly in grass is usually waiting for its mother to return.
🐇 Baby rabbits are often unattended for most of the day while mom stays away to avoid predators.
🐦 Feathered baby birds on the ground are frequently fledglings learning to fly.
🐢 Many baby turtles are fully independent from the moment they hatch.

Wild parents are often closer than you think.

That said, some situations do require intervention:

⚠️ visible injuries
⚠️ weakness or collapse
⚠️ fly eggs/maggots
⚠️ prolonged crying/distress
⚠️ known cat or dog contact
⚠️ dead parent nearby

One especially important reminder:

🐱 If a bird or small mammal was caught by a cat, contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately — even tiny scratches or saliva exposure can become fatal infections.

And for turtles crossing roads:

➡️ If safe, help them cross in the SAME direction they were already traveling.

The goal isn’t to “do nothing.”
It’s to avoid causing harm while helping the right way.

📞 When unsure, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before moving the animal.

Please share — this information saves wildlife lives every spring and summer. ❤️

05/20/2026

5/19/26 We saw the first report out of Dedham yesterday, it's not rocket science to know if it's too hot for you, then it's too hot for your dog! It's common sense when it's this warm out to NOT leave your dog in the car. Your dog will feel much better at home where it is cool and not baking inside a hot car. Asphalt and sidewalks can reach temperatures high enough to burn paw pads. Walk them early and then leave them home!

6/20/25 Let's talk weather! HOT!

The temperatures are rising quickly, walk them early and then leave them at home! Never leave your dog or child in a car!

When walking, use extreme caution! Be aware of signs of heat stroke and of how hot the asphalt is.

Asphalt, like motor vehicles, can reach dangerous temperatures quickly.

8/2/24 Just today we have seen multiple towns responding to dogs left in cars. It's not rocket science to know if it's too hot for your, then it's too hot for them! It's common sense when it's this warm out to NOT leave your dog in the car. Your dog will feel much better at home where it is cool and not baking inside a hot car.

5/14/24 Summer isn't even here yet! We are already hearing reports from Animal Control in multiple towns about dogs being left in hot cars. It's common sense when it's this warm out to NOT leave your dog in the car. Your dog will feel much better at home where it is cool and not baking inside a hot car.

7/28/23 Let's talk weather! HOT!

The temperatures are rising quickly, walk them early and then leave them at home! Never leave your dog or child in a car!

When walking, use extreme caution! Be aware of signs of heat stroke and of how hot the asphalt is.

Asphalt, like motor vehicles, can reach dangerous temperatures quickly.



4/13/23 We are already hearing reports from Animal Control in multiple towns about dogs being left in hot cars. Today and tomorrow the temps are up. Best to leave them home and NOT in your car!

7/22/22 Temperatures are continuing to rise. Walk them early and then leave them home. Being left in a hot car is no place for your dog to be on a day like today!

05/20/2026

As people prepare to fire up the grill and host gatherings this Memorial Day weekend, just a few reminders about how you can keep your pets safe as you celebrate.

05/16/2026

A Raccoon in Daylight: Not Rabid, Just a Starving Mother 🦝

In the harsh glare of a Tuesday afternoon, a raccoon turns over dead leaves on a quiet suburban lawn—her winter coat thin, her body worn.

We see a nocturnal animal in daylight and panic.
We assume the worst.
We make the call:
“There’s a rabid raccoon outside.”

But the truth is often far different.

This is a native raccoon—likely a mother pushed to the brink.

Right now, in early spring, females are either heavily pregnant or nursing tiny, blind kits. Producing milk demands enormous energy. After a long, food-scarce winter, her reserves are gone.

And in our neighborhoods—paved, treated, and stripped of natural food sources—the night simply isn’t enough anymore.

So she borrows from the day.

Not to threaten.
Not to harm.
But to survive.

When allowed to forage, raccoons quietly support the ecosystem—turning soil, reducing pests, and helping maintain balance in places we’ve altered.

True rabies looks very different:
confusion,
aggression,
stumbling,
aimless movement.

This mother is none of those things.

She is focused.
Intentional.
Desperate.

So if you see her—
bring your pets inside,
give her space,
and let her pass.

She isn’t a danger.

She’s a mother doing impossible math in a world that keeps getting harder. ❤️🦝

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

If you’re getting someone flowers for Mother’s Day and they have a cat, please make sure the arrangement does NOT contain lilies.

All parts of the lily are toxic to cats. Contact the Pet Poison Helpine, Animal Poison Control, or go to your local ER if your cat ingests a lily.

05/10/2026

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

🐓⚡ Attention backyard chicken keepers! ⚡🐻
Just a reminder that black bears are searching for food and may treat an unsecured chicken coop like an all-you-can-eat buffet. We strongly recommend using electric fencing around your chicken coop to keep your flock safe.

Electric fencing is one of the most effective ways to protect your chickens—and it helps keep wildlife wild. A little zap for a bear means a big save for your flock.

Need advice on setting up electric fencing? We’re happy to help! Check out our electric fencing guide at bit.ly/electric-fencing-guide

https://www.mass.gov/doc/electric-fence-guide-to-prevent-bear-damage/download?fbclid=IwY2xjawRoHYBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6gt6mhLH4AcLfzujpEUmm1zgIiNXFZLlQLIFoKlyDmuX7HYz36_O3pxaaiKQ_aem_2HskQTTx6SMwwrgIsK0YfQ