Waltham Animal Control

The Waltham nine is now the Waltham 13 😮 Josie had four babies this morning 🫣 one boy and three girls 🥰 we are so thankful that ACO Gualtieri saved them from the forest and got them safely to us 🙏❤️🙏 I will never understand how people can throw animals away in forests, cemeteries, and all these other places 🤬😢

BOLO: Gizmo escaped from the area of School St. and Fiske St. a couple days ago. Please call Joe at 339-223-6124 if you find him.

Over the last couple of weeks, there have been a total of 19 guinea pigs dumped in the The City of Waltham. 10 in the cemetery and then 9 behind 1601 Trapelo Rd. in the woods. All are safe now.

Apparently it is happening in a lot of areas of Massachusetts. Local pet stores are not buying as many guinea pigs as they used to due to stricter regulations. As a result, instead of contacting a rescue or rehoming them, the breeders are dumping their breeding stock in large numbers out in the woods to fend for themselves. The lucky ones are found. The rest usually end up as prey. They are not able to survive on their own dumped in the wild!!

If anyone has any information, or knows someone that breeds guinea pigs and may know who is dumping them in our area, please call us with any information at 781-314-3596.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary has been absolutely amazing helping out many communities dealing with these mass dumps. Our last group of 9 brought them up to over 260 guinea pigs!! Please check out their page and help them out if you can. Having been there myself to drop off our little pile 'o pigs, I am amazed at the job they are doing and the number of piggies they have rescued.

If you have been seeing coyotes in your neighborhood and want to learn more about them, join us for a virtual presentation to learn about coexisting with coyotes on Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m. During this webinar, you will learn about eastern coyote biology, how coyotes use suburban areas, and how eastern Massachusetts communities can take effective steps to coexist with coyotes. Register at bit.ly/coyotes-528

* This webinar will be recorded and a recording link will be sent to all registrants.

With recent American black bear sightings in our area, it’s important to know how to prevent attracting them to your property.

Bears are typically drawn in by easy food sources such as bird feeders, unsecured trash, pet food, backyard chickens, and even grills. Taking a few simple steps can make a big difference:

Remove bird feeders during warmer months when natural food is abundant
Secure trash in bear-resistant containers or keep it indoors until pickup
Bring pet food inside and clean grills after use
Protect chickens and livestock with secure enclosures

If you have questions or experience issues with bears, you can contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife for guidance and support.

Being proactive helps keep both residents and wildlife safe.

Even though Waltham is an urban area, it supports a surprising amount of wildlife living alongside residents. Species commonly found here include coyotes, foxes, bobcats, fishers, and deer. On rare occasions, even a moose may wander through.

As American black bear populations continue to expand eastward, sightings are expected to become more frequent in our region.

Understanding and respecting local wildlife helps keep both animals and people safe.

Learn about black bears Black bears continue to expand their range in Massachusetts. Learn about the lives and habits of these fascinating animals and get tips for avoiding conflicts with bears in your area.

BOLO: Orion ran off on Sunday, March 8th. He was last seen between Fuller St. and Washington St (Newton) heading into Newton, but he may have doubled back. He is chipped and neutered. Please contact 413-687-5799 if you find him.

Yes, Waltham does have a leash law! None of the parks like the Paine Estate, Beaver Brook etc. are off-leash dog parks in Waltham.

Update! Luckily a quick resolution. Murray ran home!

BOLO for Murray missing in the cedarwood area after slipping his harness. Last seen along the Brandeis fence line chasing a deer.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston called and informed us a black short haired cat, intact male, approximately 2 years old was turned into them this morning. It is unknown where it was found in Waltham and the person that found it has had it since around Thanksgiving. If you think this may be your cat, please call the ARL at 617-426-9170 x140.