West Hartford Animal Control

06/07/2026

🐢🥚🚗 ATTENTION, WEST HARTFORD! SNAPPING TURTLE NESTING SEASON IS HERE! 🚗🥚🐢

If you've noticed more snapping turtles crossing roads lately, don't panic. They're not lost, they're not fleeing the law, and they're definitely not trying to extend your commute on purpose. 😅

Every spring and early summer, female snapping turtles leave the water and head out on a very important mission: finding the perfect place to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't provide them with crosswalks, crossing guards, or a pedestrian signal. 🚸🐢

This means you may encounter what appears to be a small dinosaur casually strolling across the road with absolutely zero concern for traffic laws. 🦖🚗

If you see a turtle crossing:

✅ Slow down and give it space.
✅ If it is safe to do so, you may help it cross in the direction it was already traveling.
✅ Never move it back toward the water. She didn't come all this way just to have you send her back to the starting line. 😆
✅ Use extreme caution with snapping turtles. They can reach farther than most people think and are not interested in handshakes, selfies, or being picked up for a quick photo shoot. 📸❌

🥚 Found a turtle nest?

You may notice a freshly disturbed patch of soil in a sunny yard, field, or roadside area. Female snapping turtles can lay 20–40 eggs before carefully covering them and heading back home.

⚠️ Please leave nests and eggs alone!

Under Connecticut law and regulations, it is illegal to collect, disturb, destroy, or possess snapping turtle eggs, unless authorized by DEEP. As tempting as it may be, those are not free-range golf balls. ⛳🥚😂

Fun fact: Snapping turtles can live for decades and often return to the same nesting areas year after year. So that grumpy-looking turtle crossing the road may have been making the same trip longer than some of us have been alive. 😳🐢

And before anyone asks...

❌ No, she is not abandoned.
❌ No, she does not need a ride.
❌ No, she is not applying for residency in your flower bed.

She's simply handling turtle business. 🐢💼
Tt
So if you see one of these prehistoric moms waddling across town, please give her a brake, give her some space, and wish her luck on her journey. The Animal Controllers appreciate it, the turtles appreciate it, and your suspension will appreciate not hitting a dinosaur. 🚔🐢😂

06/05/2026

FYI

06/04/2026

🐶🎉 BREAKING NEWS: I HAVE BEEN BONDED OUT! 🎉🐶

After spending a little over a week with the Animal Controllers, I am happy to report that Fetching Hearts Rescue saw my mugshot, recognized my obvious innocence, and immediately arranged for my release. 🚔➡️🐾❤️

While I was behind bars, the Animal Controllers even gave me a prison nickname—Tilly. 🐶💕 Honestly, I kind of liked it. It sounds way better than "Suspect #1 in the Great Sunbathing Incident of 2026." ☀️😂

To this day, I maintain that sunbathing in public is not a crime. 😎 Unfortunately, certain individuals disagreed and I found myself in custody.

Now, I have to admit, the Animal Controllers were actually pretty great. They gave me treats, belly rubs, and lots of love. 🍖❤️ I'll miss them... but not enough to go back, if you know what I mean. 😂

Thank you to everyone who shared my story, cheered me on, and sent me love during my incarceration. 🥹🐾 My tiny little body is absolutely bursting with happiness and excitement for this next chapter.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some freedom naps to catch up on, squirrels to supervise, and several hours of professional-level sunbathing scheduled. ☀️🐕💼

Love,
🐾 Tilly (Former Inmate, Current Good Girl)

06/04/2026

🐻🚨 BEAR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨🐻

Hello, loyal fans! 👋🐻❤️ It's me, your favorite injured-paw celebrity bear. Apparently, I'm trending again today. ⭐🐻📸😂🐾

First, I'd like to thank everyone who called about me today. 📞❤️ I appreciate all the concern and the fact that I've apparently become more famous than some local politicians and the infamous Albany Ave Turkey, who by the way is doing great - we became besties. 📸😂🎬

The good news is that I'm doing just fine! 👍🐻 My paw injury is old news at this point, and I've adapted pretty well. In fact, I've put on quite a few pounds since last year. 🍕🍩🍔🌭 Some might call it "survival weight." Others might call it "bear-shaped." Either way, I'm thriving. 😎💪🐻

Now, if you see me laying down somewhere, please don't assume I'm sick. 💤😴 I'm probably just taking a nap. Have you ever worn a giant fur coat in 85-degree weather? 🌞🥵🔥 I don't have the luxury of taking this thing off. Trust me, if I could unzip this fur and switch to shorts and a t-shirt, I would. 👕🩳😂

Speaking of staying cool, I tend to take more breaks on hot days. 🌳🍃 So if you spot me sprawled out under a tree looking like I've given up on life, I'm not dying... I'm relaxing. 😴🌳💤🍃

I'd also like everyone to know that despite what some may think, I have absolutely no interest in hanging around children. 🚫🐻👧👦

Every afternoon, a giant yellow machine shows up out of nowhere. 🚌😳🚸 It makes a bunch of noise, stops in random places, and releases what appears to be hundreds of loud, energetic tiny humans. 📢😂🙉

As soon as I hear that bus, I'm already headed in the opposite direction. 🐻💨🏃‍♂️💨 You can keep the chaos—I'll be over here looking for berries, bird feeders, and a nice quiet spot for a nap. 🍎🌽🫐😴🌳

The Animal Controllers escorted me out of a few places today. 👮‍♂️🐻🚓 They were very polite about it, and I was a perfect gentleman. 🎩🐻 To be fair, all I was doing was searching for snacks and trying to find a quiet place to nap. 🍎🌳😴🍩

Apparently, wandering through neighborhoods looking for lunch and a comfortable sleeping spot is now considered "suspicious behavior." 🙄😂🤷‍♂️

So thank you again for checking on me and looking out for my well-being. ❤️🐻 Just remember to admire me from a distance. 👀📸 I'm not looking for friends, selfies, hugs, handshakes, or invitations to your backyard barbecue. 📸🚫🙅‍♂️🍔

I'm just a bear trying to live my best life:

🍎 Eat food.
😴 Take naps.
🌳 Find shade.
🚫 Avoid people.
🚌 Avoid school buses.
👮‍♂️ Cooperate with Animal Controllers.
🍩 Repeat.

Stay cool out there, everyone! 🌞🍃💧

🐻❤️
Your local injured-paw celebrity bear

06/04/2026

We are just 3 days away! Come out for a low-cost rabies vaccination for your pets. Remember, all dogs must be on leash and all cats must be in a carrier! All towns are welcome, and the Manchester Town Hall will be open for Manchester Residents to purchase their dog license!

06/03/2026

🐾❤️ Hi everyone! My name is Chloe! ❤️🐾

I'm a 6-year-old Cattle Dog, and I asked my family if the West Hartford Animal Controllers could help me get my face out there and see if someone might be willing to open their heart and home to me. 🏡💕

Before I go any further, my family wants everyone to know this decision has absolutely broken their hearts. 💔 They love me very much, but sometimes life throws unexpected challenges our way, and they want what is best for me. ❤️

I’m spayed, up to date on all my veterinary care, and ready for my next adventure! 🐶✨ Please note that I am not with the Animal Controllers—this is simply a courtesy post on my behalf. 😊

As a Cattle Dog, I come with a few special talents. I offer free household supervision 👀, squirrel surveillance 🐿️, quality control inspections on all snacks 🍖, and occasional unsolicited life advice. 😂

In my spare time, I enjoy neighborhood watch duties from the front window 🚨, reminding people that personal space is overrated 🤗, following my humans from room to room to ensure they don't mysteriously disappear 🏃➡️🏃, and pretending I haven't already eaten when someone opens the treat jar. 🍪👀

I've also been known to chase a ball like it's my full-time job 🎾, patrol the yard for suspicious squirrel activity 🐿️🚔, and then clock out for a well-earned nap on the couch. 😴🛋️

At 6 years old, I've reached the perfect age: old enough to know better, young enough to still have plenty of fun! 🎉🐾

If you're looking for a loyal best friend, a part-time comedian, a full-time companion, and a highly dedicated member of your household management team, I might just be your girl. ❤️🏡🐶

📧 Interested in learning more about me? Please email [email protected] 🐾🐕

Please share and help me find my forever home! 🏡💕🐾❤️

_______Update ❤️🐕🐾________

I can't believe I even have to say this—my little heart is so full! ❤️🐾 Because of the overwhelming amount of love and inquiries I've received, the Animal Controllers are talking about having everyone who wants to love me forever fill out an application. 🥹🏡

I never imagined so many people would want to make me part of their family! Thank you all for the love, kind words, and support. It means the world to a little pup like me. ❤️🐶

If you're interested in being my forever family, keep an eye out for updates from the Animal Controllers regarding the application process. I wish I could go home with all of you, but apparently that's 'not how it works.' 🤷‍♀️🐾💕

https://form.jotform.com/241344148633151?fbclid=IwdGRjcASPEMhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7xMpwzlMgDtpAyeP0jJtV-8ZSpb9pSisOkyjNA4sPyNTPaACZcWTLL0p2N_Q_aem_FvnEXufg9f_M6QzVU71n3Q

⚠️PLEASE NO NEGATIVITY - MY FAMILY IS ALREADY HAVING A ROUGH TIME WITH THIS ⚠️

06/03/2026

🐾😸🚨 ATTENTION, HUMANS... 🚨😸🐾

Apparently, my "independent wilderness expedition" has been classified as me being "lost." I disagree. 🤔

I've been hanging out around the 360 block of Fern Street, living my best life, hunting like a tiny tiger 🐅, and conducting important squirrel surveillance operations. 🐿️👀

However, some people seem to think my parents may be wondering where I am. If you recognize me, please have my family contact the West Hartford Animal Controllers, 📞 860-570-8818

If my parents don't have Facebook, but one of their friends recognizes me, please help spread the word. 🗣️❤️

I'd go home myself, but I can't remember if I took a left at the bird feeder 🐦 or a right at the squirrel convention. 🐿️🎉

Until then, I'll be continuing my neighborhood patrol and accepting payment in treats, chin scratches, and compliments about how handsome I am. 😻🐾✨

⚠️I AM NOT IN CUSTODY NOR AM I UP FOR ADOPTION- THE ANIMAL CONTROLLERS JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHO I BELONG TO⚠️

⚠️PLEASE NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS - I LIVE A POSITIVE LIFESTYLE⚠️

06/02/2026

UPDATE 6/3: This handsome boy, Shadow, is now back home with his momma ❤️
_______

❤️🐾Good morning West Hartford! We got another one this morning. This distinguished gentleman was picked up a short time ago in the Oakwood Avenue area. No microchip, not neutered, sweet boy, wearing a blue collar. If this is your dog or know who owns him, give West Hartford Animal Control a call so we can send him home! Our number is 860-570-8818 or you can call the routine police line at 860-523-5203. Thank you very much. Let’s get this sweetheart home! ❤️🐾

06/01/2026

🐾🎉 JUNE IS DOG LICENSING MONTH! 🎉🐾

Did you know that Connecticut law requires all dogs 6 months of age or older to be licensed in the town where they reside? Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 22-338, dog owners must obtain a license through their local Town Clerk's Office on or before June 30th each year. 📅🐶

Why is licensing important? 🤔

🏠 Helps reunite lost pets with their families faster
🐶 Provides proof of ownership
🛡️ Supports animal control and public safety efforts
❤️ Demonstrates responsible pet ownership
📞 Helps Animal Control quickly identify and contact owners when a lost dog is found

💲🐾 DOG LICENSE FEES:
• Spayed/Neutered Dogs: $8.00
• Unaltered Dogs: $19.00
• Late Fee: $1.00 per month after June 30th ⏰

📋 WHAT YOU NEED:
✅ Current rabies vaccination certificate
✅ If licensing a dog as spayed/neutered for the first time, proof from your veterinarian showing the dog has been altered

📍 WHERE TO GO:
🏛️ West Hartford Town Clerk's Office
50 South Main Street, Room 313
West Hartford, CT 06107

Don't wait until the last minute! A dog license is a small tag with a BIG impact. 🏷️🐕❤️

By licensing your dog, you're helping keep pets safe, supporting local animal services, and ensuring your furry family member has the best chance of making it home if they ever become lost. 🐾🏡

Thank you for being a responsible pet owner and helping make West Hartford a pet-friendly community! ❤️🐶🐱

06/01/2026