Regional Animal Control Essex, Deep River, Chester, Westbrook

09/16/2026

For anyone needing Lucy’s link!

LUCY’S NEXT CHAPTER — INVESTING IN HER FUTURE When Lucy came into our care, we didn’t know much about her past. What we did know was that this big, beautiful Boerbo

09/16/2026

🐾 LUCY IS NOW LIVE ON WAGGLE! 🐾

Our girl Lucy is officially active on Waggle.org, and we’re asking our amazing community to help us invest in her next chapter. ❤️

Lucy has come a long way while in our care, but she still has important work ahead of her. Our goal is to send her to a professional board-and-train program where she can continue building impulse control, confidence, structure, and the skills she needs to be successful in a future home.

This isn’t just about training — it’s about giving Lucy the best possible chance at long-term success.

🐶 Every donation helps.
🐾 Every share helps.
❤️ And every person rooting for Lucy is part of her journey.

If you’re able to donate through Waggle.org, your contribution will go toward helping Lucy receive the professional training and continued development she deserves.

Can’t donate? Please SHARE! Sometimes one share is all it takes to reach the person who can help.

Let’s get Lucy to board and train and one step closer to the future we know is waiting for her! 🐾❤️
https://www.waggle.org/campaigns/help-lucy-8

09/16/2026

🍁 FALL IS IN THE AIR… PLEASE DON’T LEAVE SOMETHING ELSE IN IT! 💩🐾
Regional Animal Control would like to send out a friendly reminder to our residents throughout Essex, Chester, Deep River & Westbrook: please be a courteous neighbor and clean up after your pets!
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in our towns. 🍂 The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp, and more people are out enjoying our sidewalks, parks, trails and neighborhoods with their families and four-legged friends.
Unfortunately, we’ve also been noticing an increase in dog waste being left behind in public areas and along sidewalks.
💩 Your dog. Your doo-doo. Your duty!
Please remember to:
🐾 Bring waste bags whenever you head out for a walk
🐾 Pick up after your dog — every time
🐾 Dispose of bags properly in a trash receptacle
🐾 Keep sidewalks, parks, trails and shared spaces clean for everyone
🐾 Remember that fallen leaves can hide waste, but they definitely don’t make it disappear!
Nobody wants a beautiful fall stroll interrupted by an unfortunate step in the wrong direction. 😬🍁
Let’s work together to keep Essex, Chester, Deep River & Westbrook clean, beautiful and enjoyable for two-legged AND four-legged residents this fall.
🍂🐕 Enjoy the leaves. Enjoy the crisp air. Scoop the p**p. 💩
— Regional Animal Control
Serving Essex • Chester • Deep River • Westbrook

09/14/2026

🐾🎩 THE HOUDINIS: STILL KEEPING US GUESSING! 🎩🐾
Time for a Harry & Beth Houdini update!
We’re still not sure where these two came from or what their lives looked like before they found their way to Regional Animal Control. What we do know is that these two are very afraid, and trust is something we’re going to have to earn—not expect. ❤️
So, we’re working at their pace. Little by little, day by day, we’re giving them the time, patience, consistency, and space they need to learn that they’re safe and that the people around them are here to help.
Progress with fearful dogs isn’t always measured in big milestones. Sometimes it’s taking a treat from your hand. Staying nearby instead of retreating. A little less hesitation. A little more curiosity.
Those little victories matter.
But don’t let all that shyness fool you…
😂 THE HUSKY IS DEFINITELY STILL IN THERE.
Because while Harry & Beth may be unsure about us, they apparently have ZERO hesitation when it comes to mischief.
If there’s something to investigate, rearrange, climb on, get into, dramatically complain about, or potentially plan an escape from… The Houdinis are on the case. 🤦‍♀️😂
They may not completely trust us yet, but apparently causing a little chaos is perfectly acceptable.
For now, we’ll keep doing what they need most: waiting, working, building trust, and celebrating every tiny step forward.
We don’t know their whole story yet.
Maybe we never will.
But we do know the chapter they’re in now:
They’re safe. They’re cared for. They’re together. And nobody is rushing them. ❤️🐾
Stay tuned for more adventures from Harry & Beth Houdini—because with two huskies, we’re fairly certain the next trick is already being planned. 🎩✨🐺🐺

09/12/2026

🐾🕵️ Sherlock is going on an ADVENTURE! 🕵️🐾
This Sunday, September 13, Sherlock will be heading to the Southeastern Connecticut Dog Adoption & Community Event from 10 AM–2 PM! 🎉🐶

He’s ready to get out, meet some new friends, soak up some attention, and hopefully find his forever family! ❤️🏡

Come say hello to Sherlock and all the wonderful pups looking for their happily ever after!

📅 Sunday, September 13
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
🐾 Southeastern Connecticut Dog Adoption & Community Event

**Come meet Sherlock!

09/11/2026

🧇🥞 DON’T YOU… FORGET ABOUT THESE TWO! 🎶🐾
Welcome to THE BREAKFAST CLUB — Regional Animal Control Edition
We didn’t schedule Saturday detention, but apparently Pattaconk Reservoir in Chester was serving breakfast… because that’s where our newest duo, Waffles & Pancake, were found.
One boy. One girl. Two tiny, scruffy members of The Breakfast Club who certainly didn’t sign themselves up for this adventure.
Unfortunately, all indications are that these two may have been dumped.
When Waffles & Pancake arrived at Regional Animal Control, they were frightened, dirty, and severely matted. Before we could learn whether we’ve got the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, or the criminal on our hands, there was one very important assignment:
🛁✂️ BREAKFAST NEEDED A BATH AND A HAIRCUT.
And much like an ’80s hairstyle… there’s a little work left to do. 😂
Their matting was significant, so their first grooming wasn’t about winning any beauty contests. Our priority was carefully removing the worst of the mats, cleaning them up, checking their skin, and getting them comfortable.
So yes, The Breakfast Club is currently sporting some questionable haircuts.
It wouldn’t be the ’80s without questionable hair. 🤷‍♀️😂
They’ll get some finishing touches once they’ve had time to decompress.
But underneath all that matted fur?
Two ridiculously adorable little dogs. ❤️
They’re clean.
They’re warm.
Their bellies are full.
They’re safe.
And they’ve officially been sentenced to detention at Regional Animal Control, where the punishment includes comfortable beds, treats, veterinary care, attention, and probably being told they’re adorable approximately 742 times a day.
We’re giving Waffles & Pancake time to decompress while we get them medically evaluated and learn who these two really are.
And we figured we’d better warn everyone now…
🧇🥞 YOU’VE OFFICIALLY JOINED THE BREAKFAST CLUB.
Our community followed every twist and turn with our little pasta babies, and now there’s a new duo to root for.
Because around here, every animal that comes through our doors gets a name, a story, and a community behind them.
Eventually, we hope these two trade Saturday detention for forever homes. ❤️
And Waffles & Pancake?
🎶 DON’T YOU… FORGET ABOUT THEM. 🎶
Breakfast is served.
Detention has begun.
And The Breakfast Club is officially in session. 🧇🥞🐾
— Regional Animal Control
Serving Essex • Chester • Deep River • Westbrook

09/11/2026

💔🌈 Linguine went to be with his brother Ravioli in heaven. 🌈💔
This is another update we truly hoped we would never have to share.
Despite around-the-clock care, tube feedings, warmth, love, and every effort to help him grow stronger, our sweet little Linguine passed away and joined his brother Ravioli.
When these tiny babies came into our care, they were only about two weeks old. From that moment forward, they became part of our Animal Control family. Every feeding, every tiny meow, every little stretch, and every set of those precious toe beans gave us hope that we could get them to the other side.
After losing Ravioli, we fought even harder for Linguine.
But sometimes, no matter how much you do, how many sleepless hours you spend feeding them, or how badly you want them to thrive, these fragile little lives simply don't make it without their mom.
And that hurts.
We'd like to think that somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge, Ravioli was waiting for his brother. ❤️
Two tiny pasta babies, together again.
Their lives may have been incredibly short, but they mattered. They were warm. They were fed. They were held. They were kissed. And most importantly, they knew love for every moment they were with us.
This is also one of the difficult realities faced by Animal Control Officers, rescues, fosters, veterinary professionals, and everyone who takes on neonatal animals. Sometimes you pour everything you have into saving them and still have to say goodbye.
Tonight, our hearts are a little heavier at Regional Animal Control.
Rest easy, Ravioli & Linguine. 🍝🐾🌈
You were tiny.
You were loved beyond measure.
And now you're together again. ❤️

09/09/2026

This is a sad update to share, but it’s also one we feel is important to share with the community that has been following and loving our little pasta babies right along with us.
🌈 Our sweet little Ravioli has passed away.
Over the last few days, we noticed that the babies simply weren’t thriving the way they should. We immediately sought veterinary help, and despite around-the-clock care, Ravioli and Linguine reached the point where they needed to be tube fed.
Unfortunately, with kittens this young, we don’t always get an answer as to why one begins to fade. Sometimes, despite warmth, proper feeding, veterinary intervention, sleepless nights, and every ounce of love you can give them, their tiny bodies just aren't strong enough.
And that is one of the heartbreaking realities behind those adorable pictures of bottle babies.
Babies need their moms whenever possible. At only a couple of weeks old, kittens are incredibly fragile. Their mother provides so much more than food—she provides warmth, stimulation, antibodies, comfort, and things that even the most dedicated human caregiver simply cannot completely replace.
Rescues, rehabilitators, fosters, and your Animal Control Officers sometimes face this very difficult side of caring for orphaned babies. You fall completely in love with something that fits in the palm of your hand. You wake up throughout the night to feed them. You celebrate every ounce gained and every little milestone. And sometimes, even when you do absolutely everything you can, they just don't thrive without Mom.
Our little Ravioli was incredibly loved during his short time with us, and we'd like to think he's now dancing across the Rainbow Bridge with a full belly and perfect little toe beans. 🌈❤️
Linguine is still fighting. Linguine continues to be tube fed at this time, and we are putting everything we have into getting this little wonder over a very big hump.
So tonight, we're asking our wonderful community for all the good thoughts, prayers, positive energy, and good juju you can send Linguine's way.
And because our little pasta baby deserves a proper Italian send-off, the ACO team will be each receiving a home-cooked Italian meal in Ravioli's honor. 🍝❤️ ACO Fountain has been busy in the kitchen cooking up homemade Italian sauce and pasta for the team—a simple little way for us to come together, share a meal, and remember the tiny kitten who managed to take up such a big space in our hearts.
It may just be sauce and pasta to some, but for us, this meal is for Ravioli. ❤️
Thank you to everyone on Facebook who has followed these babies, asked about them, cheered them on, and fallen in love with them alongside us. Your support means more than you know—especially on the difficult days.
Rest easy, little Ravioli. You were tiny, but you were very, very loved. 🌈🐾
And come on, Linguine. We're all rooting for you. ❤️

09/09/2026

🦁 THE TWO LITTLE LIONS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT! 🦁
After several days of sightings around Cockaponset State Forest / Pattaconk Reservoir, we are VERY happy to announce that both pups are safe tonight!
A wonderful citizen, Jamie, and our very own Officer Conor Harvey were quickly on the case after spotting the pups on Saturday. Since then, we’ve been carefully keeping track of sightings and their movements, making sure they continued to stay in the same general area so we could come up with the safest plan to catch them.
This evening, everything finally lined up. We were able to set a drop trap and successfully catch BOTH dogs! 🙌
A huge thank-you to Melanie from Dog Gone Recovery for her assistance and expertise, and to everyone who reported sightings and helped us keep eyes on these two without pushing them out of the area. Sometimes the best way to help a scared, loose dog is to give us the information we need and allow a safe capture plan to come together.
Unfortunately, at this time, we believe these two were most likely dumped. They are both extremely matted and clearly in need of some TLC. Tomorrow, the “little lions” will be getting some much-needed haircuts so we can get them cleaned up and comfortable.
For tonight, though, they have food, fresh water, warm beds, and most importantly—they are SAFE. ❤️ We are keeping them together this evening to help reduce their stress after everything they’ve been through.
⚠️ They are NOT currently available for adoption. They will remain in our care for the required 7-day redemption period while we continue to investigate and determine whether an owner can be identified.
Tonight, we’re simply celebrating that after days in the woods, two little lions are no longer roaming Cockaponset. They’re safe with us. 🦁🦁🐾
Thank you, Jamie.
Thank you, Officer Conor Harvey.
Thank you, Melanie and Dog Gone Recovery.
And thank you to everyone who called in a sighting and helped us bring these two to safety.
Regional Animal Control — Essex • Chester • Deep River • Westbrook

09/07/2026

HAPPY LABOR DAY!