BOH Animal Control - City of Holyoke

Welcome! We do far more than caring for lost and abandoned animals in our community.

It is the goal of the City of Holyoke’s Animal Control Department to provide responsive, effective and courteous animal care and control assistance to residents and animals of Holyoke. Through the professional operation of the Animal Control Program and an animal care and control center. These services include but are not limited to:

Licensing Information – Dog licenses are available through the City Clerk’s office
Adoptions – We are pleased to partner with The Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, check their site to view current pets available for adoption as well as upcoming events. Also, be sure to visit their Facebook page!
What to do if your animal is missing or has been impounded- Call 413-781-1485 and/or visit the Animal Care Center, located at 627 Cottage St Springfield, to verify if your pet is already there.
Lost and Found Services – We will assist you and spread the word to surrounding communities to also be aware of your missing pet. We also urge patrons to call the local Police Department or Animal Control Department in your city/town to advise them of your missing pet.

If you need immediate assistance or have an animal-related emergency outside of normal business hours, please call the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control Department at 413-781-1485 or the Holyoke Police Department at 413-322-6900

We in the City of Holyoke believe education is key. It is no different when it comes to your beloved pets. Providing valuable information, such as for missing pets, those available for adoption and other helpful links can be found at the following:

ANIMAL CONTROL – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why do I have to license my dog?

Holyoke City Ordinance requires that dogs, over the age of 6 months be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. The rabies requirement is also a State law. The purpose of licensing is to help track and ensure that dogs are currently vaccinated and assist in finding an owner if a dog becomes lost. If a dog has a current license, and an owner is at home, the dog can be returned home. Also, if a dog is injured, and is wearing a current license, an Animal Control Officer can take that dog directly to a veterinarian for treatment, which may save the dog’s life.

Dog licenses are to be renewed each year on April 1st but can be purchased starting March 1st. The cost of the license is $5.00 for any altered aka (spayed/neutered) dog, regardless of age. License fee will otherwise be $15.00 for any dog which has NOT been altered aka (spayed or neutered). Also to help promote good pet ownership, The City of Holyoke has aloud the opportunity for dog owners living in the city to license their dogs for a reduced fee of $10.00 if the pet is licensed before 6 months of age. All dogs must have a current rabies vaccination. Dog licenses can be acquired at the Holyoke City Clerk Office. If it is acquired after May 1st, there is an additional $25.00 late fee added to the cost of the license.

How many dogs can I have?

Holyoke allows up to three dogs at each residence accept were City Zoning allows for kennel licenses.

What happens if my animal bites or if I am bitten?

It is imperative that all bites be reported to the local Board of Health and Animal Control. Any animal that bites must be quarantined for observation for a period of not less than ten (10) days by Animal Inspector. The Animal Care Center shall be the normal place for such quarantine of animals, but other arrangements including confinement by the owner may be made with the Animal Inspector provided the animal has current rabies vaccinations at the time the bite is inflicted.

I found a stray dog/cat. Can I keep it?

If an animal is found and the owner can not be located, the animal should be surrendered to Animal Control. Often times the owners do not call to ask about their lost pets, they go directly to the shelter to look for their pet. If the animal is not in the Care of Animal Control, the owner may never know his/her pet has been found.

Report all lost and found pets to the Board of Health and Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.

I found an injured domestic animal

Call Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center at 413-781-1485 24hrs a day/7 days a week for emergencies or 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week. During non-business hours, please call the Holyoke Police Department to make a report 413-322-6900.

Wildlife

Have a question about some kind of wildlife? The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife provides information about wildlife in Massachusetts. Please visit the links below:

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/wildlife_home.htm

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/neighborhood_wildlife.htm

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/pac/pac_home.htm

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/

Injured Wildlife

Report injured wildlife in the roadway to the Board of Health M-F 8:30-4:30. On nights or weekends please make report to Police Department 413-322-6900.

Reporting injured wildlife on private property is the sole responsibility of the property owner or occupant. Owners can contact a wildlife rehabilitation agency. Folks are still welcome to call the Board of Health for assistance and or further information regarding who can assist injured animal on property. Board of Health can physically handle animals such large snapping turtles and injured hawks

Dead Animals

Report dead animals in the roadway to the Board of Health at 1-413-322-5595 Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 nights or weekends call the Police Department at 1-413-322-6900.

Mammals larger than squirrels can be removed from the town-owned roads by the “disposer of dead animals”. Squirrels and smaller mammals will NOT be collected.

Dead animals on State-owned roads will be collected by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Dead animals on private property are the sole responsibility of the property owner or occupant!

Have your Pets Prepared for an EMERGENCY

FEMA’s Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps Program, American Red Cross and The Humane Society of the United States have come together to develop this emergency preparedness toolkit that can assist you in your planning efforts as you work towards keeping your community and specifically the pets and people who care for them, safe from disasters. This is a great resource with very helpful information, web resources, community engagement ideas and much more! Please download the tool kit today!