State guide
Vermont
Vermont handles most domestic animal control at the municipal level, not by county animal services. The state health bite-reporting system is built around Town Health Officers, while injured or orphaned wildlife is directed to Vermont Fish & Wildlife game wardens and licensed rehabilitators.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who handles animal control locally
- Animal control in Vermont is usually handled by towns or cities through animal control officers, police, constables, and Town Health Officers rather than county agencies.
- State wildlife agency (nuisance and injured wildlife)
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
- Nuisance wildlife help
- Official page →
- Reporting an animal bite
- All animal bites must be reported to the local Town Health Officer or other town official within 24 hours of actual or constructive notice.
- State rabies contact
- Vermont Department of Health Epidemiology Program
Official resources in Vermont
Official rabies page with bite-reporting instructions, forms, observation guidance, and state contact information.
Official page with the Animal Bite Report Form used by towns.
Official help page for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife and the state’s rehabilitator link.
State statute showing municipalities may regulate dogs, including licensing, restraint, impoundment, and destruction.
Key facts for Vermont
- All animal bites must be reported to the local Town Health Officer or other town official within 24 hours.
- Apparently healthy dogs, cats, and ferrets that bite a human should be confined and observed for 10 days under Town Health Officer supervision.
- If you find sick or injured wildlife, Vermont Fish & Wildlife says to contact your local state game warden or State Police dispatch.
- Taking a wild animal into captivity is illegal in Vermont.
- Municipalities may regulate dogs, including licensing, leashing, restraint, impoundment, and destruction.
Local animal control offices in Vermont
| Office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Police Department Animal Control Division Chittenden | Burlington | 802-540-2375 | Branch of the Burlington Police Department handling domestic animal enforcement, impounds, lost and found pets, bites, and rabies-related calls. |
| South Burlington Police Department Animal Control Chittenden | South Burlington | 802-846-4175 | Animal control contact listed under the South Burlington Police Department. |
| Rutland City Animal Control Officer Rutland | Rutland | (802) 773-1816 or (802) 773-1820 | Handles noise disturbances, animals at large, vicious dog incidents, animal bite reports, cruelty, neglect, and injured animals. |
| Montpelier Police Animal Control Officer Washington | Montpelier | Not published* | Montpelier’s emergency plan lists Montpelier Police as the Animal Control Officer contact. |
| Town of St. Johnsbury Animal Control Officer Caledonia | St. Johnsbury | 802-535-7109 | Town directory lists the Animal Control Officer in municipal services. |
| Town of Colchester Animal Control Officer Chittenden | Colchester | Not published* | Animal Control Officer is listed under the Colchester Police Department staff directory. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Report any bite right away to your Town Health Officer or other town official, and seek medical care if a person was exposed.
- For injured wildlife, call a game warden first; if you cannot reach one, use the licensed rehabilitator list.
- For local dog or stray-pet issues, start with your town or city animal control or police department, not a county office.
Not seeing your office or county?
Not every office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Vermont's population center, for comparison only):
- Town of Alton Animal Control, New Hampshire · about 80 miles
- Manchester Police Department Animal Control Unit, New Hampshire · about 104 miles
- City of Rochester Animal Control Officer, New Hampshire · about 108 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Vermont Department of Health Rabies
Website →Phone: (802) 863-7240 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Vermont page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.