ANIMAL CONTROL IS AVAILABLE 24/7

If you have an animal emergency after shelter visiting hours, please contact the Bristol Police at 401-253-6900.

If you have any questions about stray, sick or injured animals, adoptions, or need to report a lost or found pet, please contact us:

10 Minturn Farm Road
Bristol, RI 02809
401-654-8990

Animal Control Supervisor: Heather Simmons 
Animal Control Officer: Jen Busby
Assistant Animal Control Officers: Ray Chin & Heather Pavao

Visiting Hours (opened 6 days a week!):
Monday – CLOSED      
Tuesday – Friday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Wildlife Complaints:
Contact DEM at 401-222-2284

Injured Wildlife Concerns:
Contact the Wildlife Hotline at 401-294-6363

 

Bristol’s Animal Ordinances

Dog at Large: All dogs must be kept under physical restraint at all times, i.e.…leash or behind a fence.

Vaccinations: It shall be unlawful for any person to own any dog or cat over three months of age that has not been inoculated against rabies.

Dog License: Every dog in the town of Bristol shall be licensed yearly. Proof of rabies vaccination is required. A license must be renewed every April. A license can be obtained through the Bristol Town Hall.

Barking Dogs: No person shall keep any dog, which by habitual howling, yelping, or barking, disturbs the quiet of any person residing in the neighborhood.

Canine Waste Removal: It shall be a violation for any person to fail to remove and dispose of any feces left by his dog on any private property and to not have on their persons a means or removal.

Confinement of Dogs in Heat: It shall be a violation for any female dog in heat to be at large or restrained out of doors.

Abandonment: The owner of the keeper of a dog or cat who moves from his place of residence and leaves behind such animal shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Sanitary Conditions: It shall be a violation for any person not to provide a maintained area, adequate shelter, and an adequate lead, no less than 15 ft., and adequate food and water for his dog.

Feral Cat Populations: It shall be a violation for any person to maintain or keep feral cats or back yard feeder cats without having such cats rabies vaccinated and spayed/neutered. For assistance with feral cat populations, please contact PawsWatch at 253-0719

Fines: A fine of $50.00 will be levied for each first violation of any of these ordinances. Second violations carry a $100.00 fine, and third or subsequent violations carry a $250.00 fine.