Eastham Natural Resources & Animal Control

01/07/2026

Trapping of wildlife in Massachusetts is regulated by state law and may only be conducted under specific circumstances.
The use of steel-jaw foothold traps, padded jaw traps, body-gripping (Conibear) traps, snares, and deadfalls are generally prohibited. Live cage traps may be allowed for certain species when used humanely, legally, and with the required permissions.
Property owners experiencing wildlife issues are encouraged to contact a licensed Problem Animal Control (PAC) agent rather than attempting to trap animals themselves.
For accurate and up-to-date information on legal trapping methods, permitted species, and wildlife conflict resolution, please visit the MassWildlife website, https://www.mass.gov/trapping-in-massachusetts or contact a licensed PAC professional, https://www.mass.gov/info.../problem-animal-control-agents
If you believe violations are occurring, please report your concerns to the Massachusetts Environmental Police. https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-environmental-violations

12/19/2025

As of sunrise on December 19, 2025, Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is rescinding the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) or “Red Tide” closure in Nauset Estuary (OC2-OC6). This includes the areas of Salt Pond, Salt Pond River, Nauset Marsh, and Town Cove. For more information, including a map of closure areas, please visit our website.

12/10/2025

Effective immediately, the entirety of the Nauset Estuary System, including Salt Pond, Nauset Marsh, and Town Cove (growing areas OC2- OC6) are closed to the harvest of shellfish due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), also known as “Red Tide”. To stay updated on closures, and to view a map of closed areas, please visit our website.

12/05/2025

The Division of Marine Fisheries is closing Salt Pond & Salt Pond River (OC6) effective sunrise on December 6, 2025, due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), also known as “Red Tide” in shellfish. To stay updated on closures, and to view a map of closed areas, please visit our website.

07/03/2025

As of sunrise on Friday, July 4, 2025, the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), also known as “Red Tide”, closure will be lifted in Salt Pond and the Salt Pond River. The Nauset Estuary and Town Cove remain open to the harvest of shellfish. For more information, including a map of closed areas, please visit our website.

06/18/2025

As of sunrise on Thursday, June 19, 2025, the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), also known as "Red Tide", closure will be lifted in Nauset Marsh Estuary and Town Cove. Salt Pond and Salt Pond River remains closed to the harvest of shellfish. To stay updated on closures and view a map of closed areas, please visit our website for more information. Thank you.

05/30/2025

Hi, does anyone recognize me? Found around Squirrel Run! Call the Eastham PD at (508) 255-0551.

Update: Reunited!

05/28/2025

Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend is coming up! From June 7-8, you don’t need a fishing license to fish any public freshwater lake, pond, river, or stream throughout the state.

*All other rules, including catch limits, apply during Free Fishing Weekend. Other than this weekend, you need a license to fish if you're 15 and older. Funds from license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, stocking, education programs, habitat restoration, and more. Get details at mass.gov/try-fishing

05/28/2025

Update: reunited!!

🐾Lost cat: missing near Massasoit Rd by the intersection of Herring Brook Rd, last seen 05/26/25. Please call in sightings so we can help Marley get home to her kittens!
📞Call owner at (508) 878-8332

🐾 Female, young adult (on the smaller side), gray, short fur, recently had kittens, not microchipped

05/28/2025

A great chance to meet some animal ambassadors and learn about local wildlife!

🗓️June 14th
⏱️11am-2pm
📍Wild Care Cape Cod

Join Wild Care this Father's Day Weekend, Saturday, June 14th from 11am to 2 pm at Wild Care as we celebrate the precious animal babies cared for at our wildlife rescue and rehabilitation clinic. Activities include educational presentations every half hour with Animal Ambassadors including owls, turtles, and a Mallard Duck named Mallory. Wild Care’s Director Stephanie Ellis will talk about wildlife dads. Guests can take a look inside the clinic window to see some of the baby animal patients. There will also be children’s crafts, games, face-painting, refreshments, and the coolest ice cream truck around – Good Times Cape Cod will sell ice cream.

Fun for all ages. Admission is free to attend, donations appreciated. Gifts from Wild Care’s Baby Shower Wish List (in comments) are greatly appreciated. Guests bringing a gift will be entered to win a Wild Care gift basket filled with surprises from local businesses.

Meet and Greet with our Animal Ambassadors
11:30 AM – Mallory a Mallard Duck
12:00 PM – Nickerson, an Eastern Screech Owl
12:30 PM – Wild Care Director Stephanie Ellis talks Wildlife Dads
1:00 PM – Up Up an Eastern Screech Owl
1:30 PM – Garv an Eastern Box Turtle

This Event is Sponsored by Orleans American Legion Post 308

05/25/2025

Update: reunited!

Do you know me?! Please call Eastham Police at (508) 255-0551.

🐾Found dog, picked up near Settlers Trace.

05/21/2025

Join our Natural Resources team! Eastham is hiring a Working Foreman/Shellfish Constable and seasonal Natural Resources staff. Must love the outdoors, as our department covers:
🌱 Natural resources
🌊 Harbormaster
🦪 Shellfish
🐾 Animal control

Working Foreman/Shellfish Constable https://www.eastham-ma.gov/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=99&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Natural-Resources-Foreman-98

Seasonal https://www.eastham-ma.gov/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=101&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Seasonal-Natural-Resources-Positions-97