RPD Animal Control

04/13/2026

Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week!

Sending a huge shout-out to our fellow ACOs across the country!
Thank you for your tireless dedication, your compassion in the field, and for being the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. This job isn't always easy, but the work you do keeps our communities safe and our animals cared for.
Stay safe out there and enjoy your week—you’ve earned it! 🐕🐈‍⬛

01/21/2026

Here’s a great opportunity to have all your questions answered in one night!

🦊🦉🐺 Who’s been visiting your backyard after dark? 👀🌲
Ever heard a spooky scream in the night or spotted a fox and wondered, “Friend… or foe?” 🤔
Join us for Wildlife Awareness 101 and get the scoop on the animals we share our community with!
📅 Thursday, January 29
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM
Learn how to tell a fox from a coyote, what those nighttime noises really mean, and how to safely co-exist with local wildlife. Experts from the Woodcock Nature Center and Weston Animal Control will be there to answer all your questions! Christine’s critters will also be here!
👉 Adults only | Registration required
Don’t miss this wild evening of learning! 🌿✨

01/20/2026

🚨 Cold weather advisory- Here are some quick tips on keeping your furry friends comfortable during this cold weather.

🐾 Critical Safety Guidelines

• Bring Them Inside: If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Keep pets indoors. Short-haired breeds, puppies, and senior dogs are especially vulnerable to the current temperatures.

• Limit Outdoor Time: Please leash youre dog while out in the cold temps.

• Protect the Paws: Salt and de-icers can burn paw pads. Use pet-safe ice melt, consider booties, and always wipe down paws with a warm cloth after they come inside.

• Check Under the Hood: Outdoor cats and wildlife often seek warmth near car engines. Always bang on your vehicle's hood before starting the engine.

• Adequate Shelter for Livestock: Ensure horses and livestock have wind-blocked shelter, dry bedding, and non-frozen water. Animals burn significantly more calories in this weather to maintain body heat; ensure they have extra forage/feed.

As always; any questions/concerns, please call 203-431-2711. Thank you.

01/12/2026

🐾 It’s Coyote Mating Season! 🐾

If you’ve noticed more coyotes in your neighborhood lately, don’t panic—it is completely normal! In Connecticut, coyote mating season runs from January through March, which means these animals are much more active and visible as they search for mates and defend their territories.

Keep Your Pets Safe!
During this time, coyotes can view dogs of all sizes as potential competition or threats. To keep your furry friends safe:
• LEASH UP: Always keep your dogs on a leash, even in your own yard if it isn't securely fenced.
• SUPERVISE: Don't leave pets unattended outside, especially from dusk until dawn.
• BE LOUD: If you see a coyote, make yourself big and loud (this is called "hazing") to encourage them to move along. (We recommend keeping an air horn on your person while walking your dog.)

What is "Escorting"?
Have you ever been walking and felt like a coyote was "stalking" or following you at a distance? This is likely escorting.

Escorting is a natural defensive behavior where a coyote follows you to make sure you (and your dog) are leaving their territory or getting away from a nearby den. They aren't hunting you; they are simply making sure that you leave the area!

If this happens, stay calm, keep your dog close, and continue walking steadily away. Do not run.

When to call us…

We want our local wildlife to stay wild! Please only call us if:

1. Direct Contact: There has been a physical encounter or bite involving a human or a pet.

2. Sickness/Injury: The coyote appears visibly injured, is stumbling, walking in circles, or looks sick.

3. Aggression: The animal is showing unprovoked, bold aggression toward people (not just watching from a distance).

Otherwise, seeing a healthy coyote in a field or woods is part of living in our beautiful town!

12/09/2025

Impound 25-8

This young male pup was picked up roaming on the Ridgefield/Wilton line over the weekend.
He has no chip and no collar/tags. We are hoping the public can help us find his owner.
Please call Ridgefield Animal Control at 203-431-2711 with any information regarding this dog.
We are not accepting adoption applications at this time for this adorable pup. Thank you.

11/13/2025

UPDATE: We still have no information regarding the owner of this pup. We have temporarily named him “Jack”, short for Jack-O-Lantern (he was picked up roaming on Halloween).

Please share and help us find his owner, as we know someone is missing this amazing dog!

Please call us with any information regarding this dog or his owner. Thank you.

Ridgefield Animal Control
(203)431-2711

Impound 25-7

Yesterday 11/2/25 this dog was found roaming in the area of route 7. He is safely with us. Has an NFL Steelers collar on with no tags and an unregistered microchip.
If you recognize this dog or have any information regarding its owner, please contact us at 203-431-2711. Thank you.

11/03/2025

Impound 25-7

Yesterday 11/2/25 this dog was found roaming in the area of route 7. He is safely with us. Has an NFL Steelers collar on with no tags and an unregistered microchip.
If you recognize this dog or have any information regarding its owner, please contact us at 203-431-2711. Thank you.

10/31/2025

We want everyone to have a safe and memorable Halloween, including your furry friends! Take a moment to ensure your pet is safe this weekend.

Bring pets indoors: Keep all pets inside during trick-or-treating hours to protect them from frightening costumes, noise, and potential escape.

Secure the inside: Create a safe, quiet space for your pet in a room away from the door to help them cope with the noise and activity.
Watch the decorations: Keep toxic decorations like candles, certain plants, chocolate, and sugary treats out of your pet's reach. Use battery-operated lights instead of real candles and store all candy securely.

Keep pets calm: Play calming music or use a white noise machine to help mask the sounds of trick-or-treaters. If your pet is extremely anxious, consider leaving them with a friend or boarding them for the evening.

As always; we are here with any questions or concerns. 203-431-2711.

06/05/2025

🚨PSA🐾

Ridgefield Animal Control has ZERO TOLERANCE for dogs left in hot cars.

Summer is here! Please leave your pet home in a cool place, and NOT in your car. The temperature inside a parked car can skyrocket within minutes— putting your pets life in serious danger.

🐾 Cracked windows do not help

🐾 Heatstroke can happen within minutes

🐾 Leave them at home

If you see a dog in distress; call the Ridgefield Police Department 203-438-6531, or the Ridgefield ACO 203-431-2711. Thank you.

06/04/2025

Sammy is taking applications for adoption!

Looking for a loyal companion who’s already mastered the fine art of being the “bestest girl”!
Meet Sammy! A sweet older pup with a tail that still wags like a puppy.

Sammy may have a bit of gray around her muzzle, but she’s still got plenty of love to give! She would best fit in a home where she is the only dog.

Applications will be available for pickup at the Ridgefield Police Department starting this Friday.

Thank you for helping find Sammy her “forever” home.

Ridgefield Animal Control
203-431-2711

06/02/2025

PSA!

05/18/2025

It’s common to spot a fawn alone in the grass or woods during spring. It’s not abandoned. Mother deer leave their babies hidden to avoid attracting predators, returning only a few times a day to nurse. Please do not touch, move, feed, or bring them to a wildlife rehabilitator without speaking with us. Thank you.

Ridgefield Animal Control
203-431-2711