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To: Maine Municipal Offices and Animal Control Officers
The National Animal Care & Control Association released guidelines and suggested policies for animal control during the COVID-19 emergency. We here at the Animal Welfare Program
suggest you look at these recommendations and implement what you feel you can safely do at this time.
High priority and emergency calls should still be responded to and they include any law
enforcement assistance, injured or sick stray animals, cruelty and neglect complaints, bite
complaints, and dangerous and aggressive dog complaints.
Non-emergency calls should be restricted at this time. Reducing unnecessary shelter intake is
critically important right now. All towns and Animal Control Officers should be communicating
with their contracted shelters to coordinate responses to complaints and maintain awareness on the shelter’s capabilities. Many shelters are operating with reduced staff and may not have the resources normally available.
All ACOs need to practice proper social distancing and hand washing protocols if responding to any complaints. There is still no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be spread by animals.
Animal Welfare staff are still operational and are available if any ACO or town has any
questions.
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