Animals – New Canaan Answer Book

Where do I get a dog license?

Dog licenses may be obtained at the town clerk’s office (594-3070) in Town Hall. All dogs six months or older must be licensed. A valid rabies certificate is required. You may apply for a dog license in person or by mail. 

The cost is $19 for dogs that have not been spayed or neutered, and $8 if your dog has been spayed or neutered. 

Dogs must be licensed by July 1 and by state law, a $1 penalty is imposed for each month past July that a dog is unlicensed. The fine for failing to license your dog is $75. 

Must my pet be immunized for rabies?

Yes. All dogs or cats over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. Booster shots are required at least every three years. 

Failure to immunize your cat or dog against rabies can result in a fine of $136. 

Are there animal hospitals in town?

The New Canaan Veterinary Hospital (966-1627/newcanaanvet.com) is at 7 Vitti Street. Grove Street Veterinarian (972-7387) is at 73 Grove Street. 

Do any veterinarians make house calls?

Dr. Stefanie Boggess of New Canaan Home Veterinary Services does. Call  966-2970 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Where can I take my pet in an emergency?

Veterinary Referral and Emergency Clinic (854-9960), 134 West Cedar Street, Norwalk, is open 24 hours. 

If your pet has eaten something poisonous and you can’t reach your own veterinarian right away, you can call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435. It is staffed 24 hours, but there is a $60 charge for services. 

Does anyone offer pet first aid classes?

The Darien (655-2586) and Stamford (363-1041) chapters of the Red Cross occasionally offer dog and/or cat first aid classes, and the New Canaan chapter of the Red Cross offers for sale a pet first aid book and pet first aid kits. Call 966-1663 or check online at ctredcross.org/newcanaan/. Click on Online Store for the first aid kits. 

What is the law regarding loose dogs?

Dogs in town are required to be on a leash. Dogs in the business district must be on a leash no longer than eight feet. Out of the business district, including in parks and on school grounds, dogs must be on a leash no longer than 25 feet and under the owner’s control. Dogs are also prohibited from entering town-owned buildings, with the exception of town-approved activities that invite the presence of animals. Owners must clean up after their dogs. Violation of any of the above could result in a $92 fine. 

State law prohibits dogs from roaming on someone else’s property or on any portion of a public highway when not attended by an owner and 100 percent under the owner’s control. A violation can result in a $92 fine. 

Is there a dog park?

Yes. Spencer’s Run is a 1.5-acre area where dogs may run off-leash. It is near the Lapham Road entrance to Waveny Park. All dogs must wear a New Canaan license and current rabies tag. 

Is there a vicious dog law?

Yes. The animal control officer may declare a dog vicious based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to: any dog that has severely injured or killed a domestic animal or pet while off its owner’s property; any dog that bites or injures a person, dog, or other domestic animal without provocation; any dog used or trained for dog fighting. 

If a dog has been declared vicious, the animal control officer may order: the dog’s destruction, the dog’s removal from town, the dog’s owner to purchase liability insurance, among other steps. 

There are appeals an owner may make. The full law is detailed online. Go to newcanaan.info, click on departments, and then animal control. 

Is there a pooper scooper law?

Yes. Dog owners or keepers must clean up after their dog when it goes on any public property, park, street, sidewalk, parking lot, etc. Common courtesy would dictate cleaning up after your dog on someone else’s private property. 

Are cats allowed to roam onto others’ property?

Yes, the state considers cats to be feral by nature. 

There’s a lost cat at my house. Whom do I call?

Since no laws cover roaming cats, local and state animal control officers do not pick them up. You could call Strays and Others at 966-6556. 

My dog is lost, who should I call?

First call New Canaan Animal Control Officer Maryann Kleinschmitt at 594-3510. The town runs a shelter to safely house roaming dogs. Dogs who remain unclaimed after seven days are put up for adoption. 

If your dog has been missing for more than 24 hours, you might want to call animal control officers in neighboring towns. 

Where can I adopt a dog or cat?

Unclaimed dogs at the New Canaan animal shelter are offered for adoption (see above) in conjunction with Strays and Others. 

Strays and Others (966-6556/straysandothers.petfinder.com) helps match homeless animals with adoptive homes. It offers a low-cost spay/neuter program and information and referrals on a variety of pet-related topics. The organization is always looking for volunteers, foster homes, and donations. 

Other options are the Pet Animal Welfare Society (750-9572) in Norwalk, the Connecticut Humane Society (227-4137) and Save Our Strays (255-0514) in Westport. There’s also the no-kill Animals in Distress cat shelter (762-2006) next door to Wilton Town Hall on Danbury Road. 

A dog ran out in front of my car and I hit it. What should I do?

Call the New Canaan Police Department at 594-3500. It is illegal to leave the animal until help arrives. 

Whom can I call for help if my dog dies at home?

Most veterinarians will assist in sending the dog for burial or cremation. You can also call All Pets Crematory in Stamford (967-4949/allpetscrematory.com) which offers a number of services and will come to your house to pick up your pet. 

Whom should I call for a dead animal near my house?

The highway department picks up small animals like raccoons or skunks on town property. Call 594-3704. For a dead deer, call the police at 594-3500. They will tag it and then call the highway department. 

Can I run a dog kennel from my home?

No. 

Is there a limit to the number of pets I may own?

There is no specific limit, as long as they do not present a general health threat, become a nuisance to others, or there are so many that it would constitute a kennel. 

May I keep a horse, chicken, or other livestock?

There are no acreage requirements for horses or other types of livestock, however there are some restrictions. Horses are allowed when they are housed or free to roam in an area at least 300 feet from any adjacent home, other than your own. No livestock can be housed within 300 feet of a neighboring home. Poultry must be kept in pens and may not run loose or onto other peoples’ property. Roosters may not be kept if they are a nuisance to others. Specifics are detailed in the town code. 

Are any animals considered illegal pets?

Generally speaking, people are prohibited from having animals considered “wild” by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection as pets. Call 860-424-3011 for more information. 

Is there an emergency wildlife number?

The emergency number for the state Department of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division, is 860-424-3333. 

Are there any wildlife rehabilitators nearby?

Wildlife in Crisis (544-9913/wildlifeincrisis.com), helps rehabilitate orphaned, sick and injured wildlife. The organization is always looking for volunteers and donations. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1246, Weston 06883. 

Also in the area is Back to the Wild Rehabilitation Inc. (438-0618/backtothewildrehab.com), which specializes in birds, primarily raptors (hawks, eagles, vultures, etc.) and specifically owls. The organization will also work with abandoned non-wildlife such as ducks, geese, parrots, and peacocks. 

Should I be concerned if I see a raccoon during the day?

Even healthy raccoons are active during the day, especially in spring and early summer when they are taking care of a family. If the animal is obviously sick (acting aggressive, circling, stumbling, acting disoriented or showing signs of paralysis) call the local police or animal control officer. In the unlikely event they cannot be reached and it is truly an emergency, call DEP Emergency Dispatch at 860-424-3333 to reach a local conservation officer. 

I saw a coyote in my yard. What should I do?

Coyotes now live and breed in every town in Connecticut. They are extremely adaptable and comfortable living in close proximity to residential areas. They are usually not a threat to humans; however coyotes may attack pets, particularly cats. Rarely have there been reports of coyotes attacking small dogs. 

Coyotes eat a variety of foods including rodents, birds, fruit and berries. They will also eat food provided by people including spilled bird seed, compost piles, pet foods, or unsecured garbage. If you live in an area frequented by coyotes and you have cats or very small dogs, your pets should be supervised while outdoors. Keeping pets indoors or limiting their time outdoors, especially at night when coyotes are most active, is recommended. 

For more information, call the DEP Wildlife Division, Burlington, at 860-675-8130 or the Hartford office at 860-424-3011. 

What is the town doing about deer populations?

The New Canaan Deer Committee is an ad hoc committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen. It is exploring “all means available for controlling the deer population to reduce the high incidence of Lyme disease.” 

New Canaan is in DEP Region 11 north of the Merritt Parkway. According to the latest DEP count, an aerial survey in February 2007, Connecticut deer numbered 62,163.  (These numbers are only approximate since the survey looked at only one percent of the state’s total deer habitat.) In any event, DEP estimated Fairfield County has an estimated 29.4 deer per square mile compared to the state average of 17. A sustainable deer population is considered 15 to 20 deer per square mile. 

What is the Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance?

New Canaan is a member of this 15-town alliance that deals with the health, safety, and ecological issues relating to the county deer population. Public health issues include Lyme disease and the preponderance of deer ticks, which spread the disease. Safety relates to the number of car/deer accidents. Deer have also adversely affected the woodland understory by over-browsing. For information, visit deeralliance.com. 

There appears to be an abandoned fawn in my front yard. What should I do?

Definitely do not touch it or move it as your scent will scare off the mother, who may be hiding nearby. Nearly all “abandoned” fawns are truly not abandoned. Keep yourself and your pets far away. 

Fawns are born from late May through June. Often, deer give birth in the middle of the night and leave the fawn during the day, particularly if people are around. The fawn’s camouflage helps protect it from predators. Often does will not return to their fawns until after dark. It may take a good 24 hours for a doe to feel safe enough to return to her fawn. For the first five days after they are born, fawns will not run when approached, instead lying still. From the seventh day on, they exhibit flight behavior, but will not venture out to browse with their mothers until they are a month old. 

If there is a dead doe nearby, the fawn may be orphaned. Call the DEP at 860-424-3011 or Wildlife in Crisis at 544-9913. 

What should I do if I see a black bear?

Black bear sightings have become more common in this area each year. Bears are attracted to garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and bird feeders. To discourage bears from hanging around your home, the state Department of Environmental Protection advises people discontinue use of bird feeders from late March through November, keep garbage cans inside a garage or shed, clean and store barbecue grills after use, don’t leave pet food outside overnight, and don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile. Above all, don’t intentionally feed bears. 

Aggression by bears towards humans is very rare, however, when hiking it is a good idea to keep dogs on a leash. A bear may view a roaming dog as a threat. If you see a bear from a distance, make your presence known by making noise and waving your arms. If you surprise a bear, walk away slowly. To report a bear sighting, call the DEP at 860-675-8130 or go online to dep.state.ct.us. 

What should I do if I am approached by an aggressive wild turkey?

This may seem like a joke, but it can be a real problem. Wild turkeys live in every town in Connecticut, and in nearby towns flocks numbering as many as 25 have been reported. Adult males can grow quite large, up to four feet tall and weigh 20 pounds or more. When fully puffed out, they can be quite impressive and intimidating. All turkeys, especially the males, have long spurs on the backs of their legs that they use for protection. Turkeys can become quite aggressive in the spring, but people have reported aggressive and threatening turkey behavior at other times of the year, when there were no nests or chicks to protect. 

To avoid unhappy turkey incidents, you should not leave any bird seed, pet food crumbs, or other types of food outdoors. Never feed turkeys directly. Turkeys generally retreat when given a shove, but you might want to do that with a broom or other item that will get your point across without injuring the bird. If that doesn’t work, call DEP’s wildlife division at 860-424-3333. 

How can I get rid of nuisance animals ?

DEP’s Wildlife Division (860-424-3011) will offer advice and suggestions over the phone about squirrels or bats, for instance, in your attic. They will also give out the names of commercial wildlife control operators in this area. The same information is available from the DEP emergency dispatcher at 860-424-3333. 

Local wildlife removal services include Ridgefield Wildlife Service (431-9550), available 24 hours a day. 

Dr. Parker Gambino, an entomologist, will remove for free active nests of yellow jackets or hornets. Call 845-278-0267. 

Are there any poisonous snakes or spiders that I should know about?

Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads are the only poisonous snakes native to Connecticut and are found only in certain areas. They are rare and their bites are rarely fatal unless the victim is allergic. They will bite only when threatened. It is important to remember nearly all snakes found around the home are perfectly harmless. 

Both the black widow spider and far less common brown recluse are poisonous. Their bites are rarely fatal, but victims may be subject to allergic reactions. Seek medical attention immediately when bitten by a snake, spider or other creature. 

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, entomology department (203-974-8600) reports seeing only one black widow spider in the last 20 years. All spider bites are venomous to some degree. 

All spider bites are venomous to some degree. People bitten should save the spider and seek emergency help by calling the Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-343-2722. 

The elderly, children, people with heart conditions and pregnant women should be wary. Seek medical attention immediately when bitten by a snake, spider or other creature. 

Call the state Department of Environmental Protection emergency line (860-424-3333) or local wildlife services for more information. 

Are there good places to go birding in the area?

Any open space or parkland is good for birding, particularly the Bristow Bird Sanctuary on Old Stamford Road. The Bird Notes column in The New Canaan Advertiser also has information on birding sites. 

Wildlife preserves in the area include the New Canaan Nature Center on Oenoke Ridge Road, 966-9577; Woodcock Nature Center on Deer Run Road in Wilton, 762-7280; and Devil’s Den Preserve, Pent Road, Weston, 259-4991. Some 285 species have been reported at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport (226-6983). 

Does Connecticut have a zoo?

The state’s only accredited zoo is the Beardsley Zoo (394-6565/beardsleyzoo.org) on Noble Avenue in Bridgeport. The zoo exhibits North and South American animals, including many endangered and threatened species, on 52 acres in Beardsley Park.

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