Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many animals does the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center receive each year? We care for over 3000 animals each year. Our shelter population consists of about 50% dogs and 50% cats.
What cities and towns are served by Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control? We provide animal control services to Springfield, West Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, and Hampden.
Do you have an adoption program? YES! The unclaimed animals in our care are looking for a second opportunity to find a "forever home." Won't you open your home and your heart to one of our wonderful animals? Adoption fees: Cats $90 Dogs $175
How do I get my dog licensed each year, as required by law? Simply bring a copy of your dog's current rabies certificate to your town clerk. The town clerk's office is located in the City Hall building of your town. The cost is usually very low, but will be more expensive if your dog is not spayed or neutered. Most cities and towns do charge more to license an unsterilized dog. Unsterilized dogs are more likely to roam, bite people, fight with other animals, reproduce, etc. All of these factors increase the cost of animal control programs.
I know my dog is required to be vaccinated for rabies, but what about my cat? She never goes outside. Does she really need a rabies vaccine? According to Massachusetts state law, all dogs and cats over the age of six months MUST be vaccinated against rabies. This is done as a precautionary measure for human safety. The rabies virus is a fatal disease. Even indoor cats can be exposed to rabies if a bat or small rodent invades your home and is killed by "Fluffy". It's better to be safe and keep your pets healthy. Remember that all pet ferrets must be vaccinated as well.
Can I bring my cat (or dog) to your facility when I can't keep him anymore? I live in Westfield/Connecticut/Greenfield/etc. As an animal control facility, we are funded by a per capita tax base from each of the cities we have a contract with. Therefore, we can only accept animals from the cities and towns we serve. We'd be happy to refer you to other animal sheltering resources in the area.
We have stray cats living in our neighborhood. We feed them, but they keep having kittens. HELP! We're getting overwhelmed! This is a frequent problem in many neighborhoods. It only takes one or two cat owners who allow their pets to roam free and the population explosion can start. When people choose to allow their cats outdoors, all too often they do so without having their pets spayed and neutered. Cats are very fertile animals, some females going into heat as early as FOUR MONTHS of age. Female cats can have up to three litters per year. Some females will be pregnant again while still nursing a litter! When people with good intentions begin to feed the ever-increasing numbers of stray cats, they are in fact, keeping the animals fat and healthy enough to produce even more! (If you've ever put out a bird feeder in the summer time, and the squirrel population soars as a result...expect the same population explosion when feeding stray cats.) If you make a decision to feed neighborhood cats, do them and yourself a favor...contact us. We can give you information on low cost spaying and neutering. It will prevent suffering, and you'll save money in the long run....there will be A LOT fewer mouths to feed!
Every time we visit your facility, we see more pitbulls than any other type of dog...why is that? We are painfully aware of the incredible number of pitbull terriers in our community. About 80% of our total shelter population are pitbulls. At this time, there are no laws against owners allowing their pitbulls to overbreed. The only crime committed is against the dogs themselves. There are simply far more pitbulls than responsible homes for them. Many are losing their lives, both on the streets and in shelters as a result. We are always looking for ways to curb the flow of these bright, energetic dogs...many who would make great companions for families. We hope that one day, the pitbull won't be a status symbol for owners who need to feel macho in front of their friends.
