Is Waterford's Animal Shelter a Kill-Shelter?

After seeing posts asking if the town of Waterford operates a kill-shelter, Lt. David Burton took to the Waterford-East Lyme Animal Control Facebook page to explain how the shelter operates.

He wrote:

As the supervisor of the Waterford Animal Control and Animal Control Officer, I have observed several posts regarding inquiries or statements made about whether or not the Town of Waterford operates a “kill shelter.”

Important clarifications need to be made. The Town of Waterford operates a Municipal Animal Control Facility, not a rescue shelter. Like any Municipal Animal Control facility, it is governed by Connecticut general statutes, which allow for the humane euthanization of animals.

It is the policy of the Waterford Animal Control Facility to attempt to adopt all animals that are taken in at the facility. This is sometimes a lengthy process and animals are not euthanized simply for a length of stay or if the facility becomes overcrowded. The Town of Waterford has reciprocity agreements with area municipal animal control facilities to move animals to these sites if this occurs. We also receive them if other municipal facilities become full to capacity.

In the case of aggressive animals these are not eligible to be adopted out to the general public. The Town of Waterford has a second chance policy for these cases. Seventy Four rescue groups are contacted to advertise and describe the animal in question along with the observed behavior.

These rescue groups may make arrangements to test the animal and adopt it within 14 days. The rescue groups may rehabilitate the aggressive animal which is beyond the scope of the current municipal facility.

The euthanization of any animal we receive requires supervisory approval, and is not taken lightly. The Animal Control Officer documents the reason(s) and request. It is then reviewed by a supervisor (me) to ensure compliance.
I hope this clarifies the practices of the Waterford Animal Control Facility and answers the recent posts.

If anyone has specific questions regarding this subject they can send them to me directly at dburton@waterfordct.org.

(Photos: Waterford-East Lyme Animal Control; Patch archives)