DoodyCalls of Central CT & The Farmington Valley

West Hartford, CT Dog Resource Guide

West Hartford Ordinances

• Two-Dog Limit: West Hartford only allows owners to have two dogs per household. If you have three or more dogs over the age of 6 months, it is considered a kennel.
• Removal of Dog Litter: Dog owners are responsible for immediately removing “poop” their dog leaves on other people’s property or on public property.
• Dog License: As per CT state law, all dogs six months or older need to be licensed in the town where you live.  Licenses are obtained through the Town Clerk’s office, and are valid from July 1st through June 30th. The first time your dog is licensed you must present a rabies vaccination certificate from your veterinarian and verification if your dog is spayed or neutered. The cost is $8 for spayed and neutered pets and $19 for intact pets.
• West Hartford Animal Control and Protection Division
  Daily Services: The officers of the Animal Control and Protection Division rescue injured animals, control stray and potentially dangerous roaming animals, and bring lost pets to the animal shelter to be reclaimed by their owners.  They also enforce the local and state ordinances concerning licensing and investigate complaints of cruelty.
• Animal Adoption Program: The Animal Control Officer maintains a shelter where strays are cared for on a temporary basis. Visit the West Hartford Animal Control’s shelter website to see their adoptable animals.
  
  You might also want to check out the site for the Simsbury Animal Control Officer.  It’s a good source of information on topics such as emergency preparedness for your pets and dealing with black bears.
• West Hartford K-9 Unit
  The K-9 Unit has two teams that are trained to perform a variety of duties that help protect the people of West Hartford.

Why should you “give a bark” about pet waste pollution? Find out how reducing nonpoint source pollution such as dog poop can help protect the quality of the Farmington River and other rivers and coastal waterways in Connecticut.

Area Dog Parks and Dog-Friendly Places To Take Your Pet

• The Farmington Valley Greenway which oversees the Farmington River Trail, provides one of the most popular places in the area for people to walk their dogs. Please respect other hikers, the river, and trail neighbors by keeping your dog leashed and carefully cleaning up any dog waste.
• The West Hartford Dog Park is currently in development. 
• Talcott Mountain State Park - Located off Route 185 in Bloomfield.
• Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area - Located on Rte 69 between Burlington and Bristol.
• Granby DOGGS Park at Salmon Brook Park.
• Wethersfield Dog Park - within Mill Woods Park on Prospect St.

Check the listings on the other town pages to find more parks in the area.