RPD Animal Control

06/30/2026

🐾 A Little Help for Our Littlest Neighbors 🐾

This little guy fell off a retaining wall and couldn’t find its way back up top!

Every spring and summer, our local wildlife families are out and about exploring Ridgefield. Lately, we’ve had a few calls about wandering baby skunks (kits) out during the day, looking a bit lost.

Baby skunks have terrible eyesight. Sometimes, they simply wander out of the den or lose track of mom while following her in a single-file line.

Daytime is okay for babies: While adult skunks are nocturnal, kits haven't fully developed their internal clocks yet and will sometimes wander out in daylight if they get separated.

If you see a baby skunk that looks healthy but is wandering alone, the best move is usually to observe from a distance. Mom is often nearby and will come looking for her stray kit once the area is quiet.

06/29/2026

🚨 LEAVE YOUR DOGS AT HOME 🚨

We cannot stress this enough: DO NOT take your dog with you to run errands and leave them in the car. Leave them at home in the air conditioning.

The Reality: When it is 90 degrees outside, the inside of a parked car can plunge past 110 degrees in less than 10 minutes (even with the windows cracked), and even parked in the shade.

In a hot car, they are breathing in trapped, hot air, which quickly causes organs to fail. It takes only minutes for a dog to suffer fatal heatstroke.

Your quick trip in a store is not worth your dogs life.

Check the asphalt! If it's too hot for the back of your hand to press against the pavement for 7 seconds, it is too hot for your dog's paws. Walk them early in the morning or late in the evening
Hydration Stations: Keep multiple bowls of fresh, cool water available inside and outside. Drop a few ice cubes in them to keep the water temperature down.

Limit Outdoor Play: This week is not the time for intense fetch sessions or long midday hikes. Keep outdoor bathroom breaks brief and let them rest in a cool, air-conditioned space.
Know the Signs of Heatstroke: Keep an eye out for heavy, frantic panting, bright red or purple gums, excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, or stumbling.

As always- Call us with any concerns at 203-431-2711. Thank you.

06/26/2026

RIDGEFIELD ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICIAL NOTICE:

Ridgefield Animal Control is aware of a mother black bear and her cub in the area near the Recreation Center trails.

Black bears are generally not aggressive, but a mother bear with a cub is naturally highly protective. To ensure both our community and this bear family remain safe, please follow these critical precautions immediately:

Never approach, corner, or attempt to get closer to a bear for a photo. If you see them, slowly back away while facing the animal.

Do not run: Running can trigger a bear's natural chase instinct.

⚠️ CRITICAL REMINDER FOR DOG OWNERS
The Recreation Center trail is a strict ON-LEASH trail at all times.
An off-leash dog safely exploring a trail can easily stumble upon a mother bear and her cub. This is incredibly dangerous; a dog may provoke a defensive attack from a protective mother bear, putting both your pet and yourself at severe risk. For the safety of your furry friend, yourself, and our local wildlife, dogs must be kept on a physical leash for the entirety of your walk.

Click the link below for the latest information and updates directly from CT DEEP. Thank you.

Fact sheet about the black bear produced by the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division.

06/16/2026

UPDATE: GOATs are waiting on their ride home. Thank you. 🐐

🚨 GOAT ALERT on Ridgebury Road! 🐐🚨
Did you wake up this morning and notice your lawnmowers were missing? If so, we might have them!
Ridgefield Animal Control currently has a couple of adventurous goats in custody after they were found exploring Ridgebury Road. They are currently safe, sound, and hanging out with us, but they’d really like to go home.
If you think these wandering kids belong to you—or if you know who might be missing a couple of goats in the Ridgebury area—please contact us as soon as possible.
📞 Phone: (203) 431-2711

06/15/2026

🐾 AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION! 🐾

Are you looking to add a little extra love, wagging tails, and endless loyalty to your life? We have several incredible dogs who are ready and waiting to find their forever homes!

Whether you're looking for an active running buddy, a professional couch potato, or a goofy best friend, we might just have the perfect match for you.

📞 How to Adopt:
If you’d like to make one of these amazing pups a part of your family, please reach out directly to Animal Control Officer Zulkeski at 203-431-2711.

Let’s get these sweet pups the loving homes they deserve! Please share this post to help us spread the word. 🐶❤️

05/26/2026

Last year we caught over 100 fish that day! Hope to see you all there!

Come out for Anglin with the ACO 2026! 9-12, children 16 and under with parents. Prizes, BBQ and plenty of fish! ***only kids need tickets*

05/18/2026

With the warmer weather arriving this week- we here at Ridgefield Animal Control want to issue a critical reminder to all pet owners:

Leave your dogs at home when you are running errands!

Even on a mild 75 degree day, the temp inside a parked car can rocket to over 90 degrees in just minutes!

Leaving your pet in a hot car isn’t just dangerous- it is illegal. Please think twice before taking your furry friend on that “quick errand”.

If you see a dog in distress - please call us 203-431-2711 OR the Ridgefield Police at 203-438-6531. Thank you.

04/13/2026

Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week!

Sending a huge shout-out to our fellow ACOs across the country!
Thank you for your tireless dedication, your compassion in the field, and for being the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. This job isn't always easy, but the work you do keeps our communities safe and our animals cared for.
Stay safe out there and enjoy your week—you’ve earned it! 🐕🐈‍⬛

01/21/2026

Here’s a great opportunity to have all your questions answered in one night!

🦊🦉🐺 Who’s been visiting your backyard after dark? 👀🌲
Ever heard a spooky scream in the night or spotted a fox and wondered, “Friend… or foe?” 🤔
Join us for Wildlife Awareness 101 and get the scoop on the animals we share our community with!
📅 Thursday, January 29
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM
Learn how to tell a fox from a coyote, what those nighttime noises really mean, and how to safely co-exist with local wildlife. Experts from the Woodcock Nature Center and Weston Animal Control will be there to answer all your questions! Christine’s critters will also be here!
👉 Adults only | Registration required
Don’t miss this wild evening of learning! 🌿✨

01/20/2026

🚨 Cold weather advisory- Here are some quick tips on keeping your furry friends comfortable during this cold weather.

🐾 Critical Safety Guidelines

• Bring Them Inside: If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Keep pets indoors. Short-haired breeds, puppies, and senior dogs are especially vulnerable to the current temperatures.

• Limit Outdoor Time: Please leash youre dog while out in the cold temps.

• Protect the Paws: Salt and de-icers can burn paw pads. Use pet-safe ice melt, consider booties, and always wipe down paws with a warm cloth after they come inside.

• Check Under the Hood: Outdoor cats and wildlife often seek warmth near car engines. Always bang on your vehicle's hood before starting the engine.

• Adequate Shelter for Livestock: Ensure horses and livestock have wind-blocked shelter, dry bedding, and non-frozen water. Animals burn significantly more calories in this weather to maintain body heat; ensure they have extra forage/feed.

As always; any questions/concerns, please call 203-431-2711. Thank you.