Animal Control

Responibilities

The Animal Control Officer is dispatched by the Provincetown Police Department. The Town's Animal Control Services include:

  • Collection of Stray domestic animals
  • Barking Dogs
  • Enforcement of Town By-Laws
  • Investigation of dog bites and attacks
  • Patrol
  • Unlawful tethering

Animal Control is available to assist individuals or groups with any animal related problems or concerns and can be reached at the Police Department at 508-487-1212 or by e-mail at

Rabies Vaccinations

Massachusetts State Law requires all dogs and cats 6 months of age or older be currently vaccinated against rabies. Ferrets must also receive rabies vaccinations. For Rabies Information go to Rabies Control Program.

Animal Emergencies

If you see an animal in distress call your local Police Department or Animal Control Officer. If you have an emergency with your own pet call your veterinarian. There is a 24 hour, 7 day a week animal emergency center in Dennis, MA: Cape Animal Referral and Emergency Center (CARE) 79 Thoephilus Smith Road South Dennis, MA 508-398-7575



Dog Leash Laws

From Memorial Day through November 1 dogs may be off-leash if under voice and sight control on Town beaches between the hours of 6 am and 9 am and the hours of 6 pm and 9 pm; from November 2 through the day before Memorial Day dogs may be off-leash if under voice and sight control on Town beaches between the hours of 6 am and 9pm; all dogs must be restrained on Town beaches at all other times.

Dogs may be off-leash only in specific off-leash areas other than beaches as designated by the Town, provided that such dog is under voice and sight control. The following are Town-owned open space off-leash areas (limited by specified times as noted): Shankpainter Pond Uplands, Foss Woods, Locke Property (also known as 'Whistle Path Woods'), Abandoned Railroad Right-Of-Way, and all Town beaches.

Tips for finding a Lost Pet

Notify local Animal Control Officers. notify local Animal Shelters, notify local Veterinarians and search your neighborhood – look under deck and sheds. If the missing pet is a cat, also look up in trees. You may also have luck by placing circular flyers or place an ad in local newspapers.

Other Information

Dog License are available at the Town Clerks office in the Town Hall.

  • The cost for a dog license is $6.00 for neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs, and $20.00 for unspayed and unneutered dogs.
  • All dog owners will be required to show a current rabies certificate at the time you purchase.

 Should you need your dog license mailed to you, we would be happy to do this. Please download the Dog License Form (PDF) and return it to us along with your check made out to the Town of Provincetown and a copy of your dogs current rabies certificate.

CASAS operates as a no-kill facility with limited admission, focusing on cats and dogs deemed suitable for future adoption and serves the Lower Cape community with education and assistance via our spay/neuter, stray cat and feral cat programs. For more information about the Shelter.

For dead Animal pick-up, Please call the Town Highway Department at 508-487-7074.

Nuisance Wildlife ~The Provincetown Police Department/Animal Control Officer does not trap healthy wildlife, nor are traps generally loaned out for this purpose.