Animal Control Office
6185 Goodrich Road
Clarence Center, NY 14032
PH: (716) 407-8912
Jerry Schuler
Dog Control Officer
e-mail: jschuler@clarence.ny.us
Animal Control Officer, Jerry Schuler, is in charge of enforcing New York State and Town of Clarence Laws regarding dogs. We are now New York State licensed to provide euthanasia services for owners of pets that request it. The procedure is done at the Town's animal shelter at 6185 Goodrich Road. The fee for this is $25.00 per cat and $50.00 for a dog. For euthanasis, you must call 407-8912 for an appointment.
To Adopt a Pet from the Town of Clarence Animal Shelter please go to the following website: www.petfinder.com(zip code 14032)
REMINDER: All dogs must be on a leash when off of your property. Please clean up after your dogs on bike paths, and when walking them.
Notice: The Town is aware of an increase in the number of fox in the area. It is not unusual to see fox around this time of year because both parents are looking for food, for themselves and their cubs. Making noise (e.g. banging pans) is enough to scare them away. If you have any other questions/concerns contact the Animal Control office.
Spring Time: Wildlife are now waking up and hungry. Please do not feed birds at this time or ground feed outside cats due to the fact that you will draw in problems with wildlife. This is also breeding season.
Coyotes: If you spot a coyote in your neighborhood, relax: Most coyotes avoid people. “Seeing a coyote out during the day is not a cause for alarm, especially in the spring and summer when they’re looking for food for their pups.
If a coyote displays no fear of people, he’s probably been fed. You can reinstill his fear by raising your arms and yelling to drive him away. This is called hazing. Unlike trapping, which sometimes catches pets or other wildlife but rarely the coyotes who are causing problems, hazing works.
Coyotes may mistake small, unattended pets as prey or attack large dogs they view as threats to territory or dens. To keep your animals safe, take two simple steps:
- Watch your pets. Keep cats indoors, and never leave small dogs outside unsupervised or let any dog out of your yard off leash.
- Secure food sources. Store garbage in wildlife-proof containers and feed pets indoors.
Black Bear Information: if you see a black bear in your are call the DEC at (716) 851-7010 Buffalo or Western Allegany region: (716) 372-0645
General Information:
Dogs
- All dogs must be licensed by the age of 4 months.
- License fees are: $18.00 for male or female $10.00 for neutered or spayed.
- All dogs that are picked up are taken to the Town of Clarence Animal Shelter at 6185 Goodrich Road and are held until the owner claims them up to 5 days. On the 6th day they become property of the Town and they can be adopted.
- Pickup fees are $25.00 plus $10.00 per day.This is for the 1st time in a calendar year.Pickup fees double for 2nd dog or time in the same year.
Adopting A Pet From Our Animal Shelter:
- Per NYS Law, all dogs must be spayed or neutered before they are adopted.
- There is a $25.00 adoption fee. At the time of adoption all dogs must be licensed. The fees for the license are: $10.00 for a sprayed or neutered dog and $18.00 if they are not. Dog licenses must be renewed every year.
Chickens:
Please note that Chickens are not allowed at homes unless you live in an agricultural zoned area.If you are not sure, please call to verify.
Dog Census Information:
The Town of Clarence Animal Control Officer Jerry Schuler and his staff may conduct a town-wide Dog Census. All dogs four (4) months and older are required to be licensed. The license can be obtained in the Town Clerk's Office with proof of rabies and if the dog is spayed or neutered. The fee is $10.00 if the dog is spayed or neutered and $18.00 if they are not. If you have any questions or you receive a notice in error, please call the office at 741-8938.
Trapping of Animals:
We will set traps upon request and availability with a refundable deposit of $50.00. Upon removal of nuisance animal a $25.00 fee is required. (This is for all stray animals that we take in or pickup, whether they are alive or deceased. (Does not include dogs-their fee is different).
Surrendering A Pet or Calling In A Stray Animal: (Town of Clarence Residents)
If you are a Town of Clarence resident and are unable to care for your dog or cat any longer call 407-8912. You must call in order to make an appointment.
If the surrendor was your pet, it will be taken care of and put up for adoption.
To Surrender a Cat or Dog:
- Call our office first to make an appointment
- Have proof of Clarence Resident - ie: Drivers license(Photo ID required...
- Must have vet records or an updated rabies vaccine
- $25.00 Surrender fee for a Cat
- $50.00 fee for a Dog
(If the animal is non-adoptable, or not a pet then you would just have to pay the applicable surrender fee).
If there is a stray dog wandering around, call 407-8912 to have it picked up and brought to the shelter.
Bats:
Information on what to do if you come in contact with a bat. If you have a bat in your house it is recommended to contact a professional nuisance wildlife control firm to capture it. You may contact the Animal Control and if they can not take care of it, they can recommend someone that can.
- Any contact between a person and a bat should be reported to the appropriate Erie County Health Department District Office for follow-up. If possible the captured so it can be tested for the rabies virus.
If you see a bat in your home and are sure that no human or pet came in contact with it, then let it go.
How can I safely capture a bat in my home?
If professional help is not available, capture the bat safely as described below. You will need leather work gloves (put them on), a small box or coffee can, a piece of cardboard and tape.
When the bat lands, move toward it slowly. While wearing the gloves, put the box or coffee can over the bat. Then slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard to the container and punch small holes in the cardboard, allowing the bat to breathe. Contact the Erie County Department of Health at on of the following location that is nearest to where you live.
Buffalo Area: 961-6800
Lancaster Area: 683-6487
Hamburg Area: 649-4225
If you or your pet comes in contact with a bat after regular business hours, please call 898-4225. ECDOH staff will determine if the bat will be picked up for testing, it is will be picked up, and then this will occur during regular business hours.