Emergency animal calls, such as an injured dog or cat, may be directed to the Mashpee Police Department at (508) 539-1480 (then press 1 for a dispatcher). An Animal Control Officer will be notified by radio. Animal Control is available Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.
This department handles animal issues pertaining to stray / loose / nuisance dogs, dog bites, loose livestock, rabid animals, and other animal complaints. The department also conducts animal and barn inspections in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws. The department also enforces the Town By-Laws relating to dogs and the General Laws of Massachusetts in the care of strays and homeless animals.
This department does not handle problem wildlife such as raccoons in chimneys, woodchucks in gardens, or wildlife inside your home. Please refer those calls to Exterminators or Problem Animal Control Agents.
Dog Bites
If a dog bites you, report the incident to Animal Control through the Mashpee Police Department. An Animal Control Officer will investigate, and the animal’s owner will be required to show proof of rabies vaccination. In addition, any dog that has bitten someone is required to undergo quarantine at the owner’s home.
If You Find a Pet
If you find a cat, dog or other pet, please notify us immediately. Complaints and/or concerns regarding domestic animals should also be directed to the Animal Control Department.
In the event no officer is available at the time of your call, please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. All calls will be kept confidential. Please leave the following information:
- Nature of your call.
- Your name.
- Daytime phone number.
Lost Pet
When you have lost your pet in Mashpee:
- Search your neighborhood. Look under decks and in sheds, basements and foundations.
- Call Mashpee Animal Control: (508) 539-1442
Leave a brief description of the animal along with your name, address and phone number. - Call the towns holding facility for strays, The Animal Inn: (508) 477-0990
Ask if your pet is at the kennel. - Call the MSPCA: (508) 775-0940
Record your missing pet in their system. - Check the lost and found classified ads in the newspapers.
- Place a lost pet ad in the newspapers
Cape Cod Times: (508) 775-1200
Enterprise: (508) 548-4700
Once the calls are made make flyers immediately and post throughout the neighborhood.
The flyer should include a picture of the animal and the date lost. Include a written description of the animal. Include the color and length of hair, distinguishing marks or scars and the age. The street and town where it was lost should be included. Finally, provide the phone numbers to call if the animal is seen or found. The flyer should be provided to area animal control officers, shelters, and veterinarians in addition to the postings around the neighborhood.
We suggest putting the flyer inside a clear freezer bag before posting it outside. This will give it some staying power through rainstorms. Most importantly, never give up hope or stop looking.
To help maximize the recovery strategy listed above start today. Put a snug fitting collar and an ID tag around your pets neck. Identification is your lost pets ticket home.
Rabid Animals
If you see an animal you believe may be rabid, call to report the location of the animal. Do not try to touch or capture the animal because it may attempt to bite you. Animals with rabies usually show some types of behavioral change. They can be aggressive and excited or depressed and lethargic. They may be uncoordinated and unfocused on the presence of humans around them.
The most common types of wildlife that may carry the rabies virus are raccoons, foxes, and bats. These animals, which normally avoid humans, are nocturnal and it is unusual for them to be active during the daylight hours. If you see a raccoon, fox, or bat during daylight hours and it appears to be sick or is aggressive towards other animals or humans, move to a safe location and call immediately.
Rabies Information
What is Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease which attacks the central nervous system in any warm blooded animal. Rabies is transmitted from animal to animal or animal to person when the virus is introduced into a break in the skin. The virus multiplies and eventually travels to the brain. In addition, the virus concentrates in the saliva so that a bite from an infected animal can cause the disease. A person can be infected with the rabies virus if he is bitten or has contact through an open cut or scratch with the blood, saliva, or other bodily fluids of an infected wild or domestic animal.
Rabies is exhibited through a variety of symptoms once an animal is infected. The most familiar symptoms are displayed in either the “furious or “dumb” forms as listed below.
- Furious Symptoms: aggressive, biting at “thin air”, attack without provocation
- Dumb Symptoms: sickly, dazed, depressed, partial paralysis
The most familiar symptom of “foaming at the mouth” associated with the disease may or may not be apparent and therefore, all precautions must be taken when handling a suspect animal. Most importantly, the incubation period from the time of exposure to the onset of symptoms varies between species of animals so that an infected animal may be transmitting the disease but is not showing symptoms of the disease.
Rabies is always fatal if not treated quickly. It is extremely important that any person exposed to a suspect rabid animal SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY
Safety Tips
- Vaccinate all pets against rabies and keep their shots up to date. It’s the law.
- Feed pets indoors and keep them on a leash or fenced in. Pets allowed to roam, especially cats, are more likely to contract rabies and expose you and other pets in your home.
- Animal-proof your home and yard. Cap your chimney, block openings in attics, cellars, decks, and under sheds to discourage wildlife from nesting.
- Store garbage in secure containers. Garbage attracts animals looking for an easy meal.
- Do not feed wild animals or strays. Wildlife are meant to live in the wild. Feeding them disrupts their natural life cycle and encourages dangerous contact with family members and pets.
- Do not handle wild animals or strays. If contact is unavoidable, use heavy gloves, sticks, or other tools to prevent direct contact. Call the Animal Control Office for assistance.
- Report sick or injured wildlife and domestic strays to the Animal Control Office
Steps to Take for Exposure to a Potential Rabid Animal
If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal or stray:
- Wash the wound with soap and water immediately for 10 minutes.
- Contact your doctor immediately for instructions on your treatment for the potential rabies exposure.
- Contact the Animal Control Office for assistance with the capture of the suspect animal.
- If your pet has been exposed, wear gloves to prevent contact with the wound and potentially infected saliva. Contact your veterinarian and the Animal Control Office immediately for further instructions.
Any potential rabies exposure must be reported to the Health Department immediately.
Your Local Contacts
Information/Report Exposures
Mashpee Animal Inspector
(508) 539-1442 ext. 7264
Wildlife & Domestic Pet Calls
Mashpee Animal Control
(508) 539-1442 ext. 7264
Mashpee Health Department
Veronica Warden
(508) 539-1400 ext. 8554
Emergency/After Hours
Mashpee Police Department
(508) 539-1480 ext. 221
For additional information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website
Coyotes
The coyote resembles a medium-sized dog in body size and shape, but has a more narrower head & pointed snout.
Coloration varies considerably ranging from blond, light tan, or silver to dark blotchy brown and black.Other identifying characteristics include its erect, pointed ears and long black-tipped bushy tail. Coyotes are opportunistic predators. Their preferred foods include rodents, rabbits, deer, fruits & berries and occasionally birds, reptiles & insects. They can also prey on unprotected pets, especially house cats and occasionally dogs.
Breeding occurs in February or March and up to 4 – 8 pups are born in April or May. The family usually stays together until fall, then separates.
There are no effective nor registered repellents currently available for use on coyotes in New England. Auditory and visual scare devices may provide temporary protection during critical exposure periods, however, coyotes become accustomed to and quickly ignore stationary devices that are not periodically moved to new locations.
To help avoid problems with coyotes here are some basic steps to follow:
- Do not feed. Feeding will alter the animals behavior, they will become dependent upon and less wary of humans.
- Do not approach or try to pet. Although coyotes do not pose an imminent threat to humans, do not provoke by coming too close.
- Don’t let coyotes intimidate you. Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten coyotes with loud noises, bright light or water.
- Do not leave pet food outdoors. If you must feed pets outside the house provide only the amount your pet will finish in one feeding. Coyotes will not hesitate to eat foods placed outdoors.
- Secure your garbage. Coyotes, like dogs & raccoons will knock over trash cans or tear open trash bags left in the open.
- Do not feed wild birds. Seed left on the ground can attract coyotes. Also bird feeders with standing water are targets for coyotes and other animals.
- Secure your pets. Coyotes and foxes view pets as potential food items. For the safety of your animals, pets should not be left outdoors unattended.
- Close off craw spaces under porches and sheds. Coyotes use such areas for resting and raising young.
- Cut back brushy edges in your yard. These areas provide cover for coyotes and their prey
- Educate your neighbors. Pass this info