Animal Control

Animal Control Officer (ACO): Beth A. Abramson
Assistant ACO: John J. Cuttita
Office Phone: 348-0196
Emergency Pager (numeric): 341-2932
Email: halfmoonanimalcontrol@hotmail.com

The primary function of the animal control officer (ACO) is to enforce both the New York State Agricultural & Markets Laws and Town of Halfmoon Ordinances relating to dogs, as well as to ensure the safety of town residents when confronted with diseased or dangerous wildlife and domestic animals (i.e. rabid raccoons, aggressive dogs, etc.) As a community service, the animal control office also maintains a log of lost and found pets for residents. Lost pet information is also shared with neighboring animal control offices as well as with the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. (We ask that you please notify us if your pet is located so we may keep our information up-to-date.) Our office is responsible for investigating bite cases and enforcing quarantine regulations according to public health law. We also do preliminary investigations when allegations are made of animal abuse or neglect.

The animal control office does not deal with nuisance wildlife complaints (i.e. wildlife which has setup housekeeping in/on residents’ homes, outbuildings or property). These inquiries should be directed to a pest control service specializing in nuisance wildlife removal.

The animal control office cannot pickup stray cats - New York State Law indicates that cats are ‘free to roam’, therefore we have no legal authority to pickup and transport cats believed to be without owners. However, a resident acting as a “Good Samaritan” in the best interest of the animal(s) may transport the animal to an animal shelter.

New York State Law requires that all dogs 4 months of age or older and resident in the state for more than 30 days be licensed. These licenses must be renewed yearly. The law also requires that the dog’s license tag be firmly attached to the dog’s collar or harness and worn at all times. Licenses may be obtained at the Town Clerk’s Office for the following fees: $5.00 for spayed or neutered dogs, $13.00 for “intact” dogs (dogs which are able to breed).
Proof of current rabies vaccination is required at time of licensing.

HALFMOON DOG ORDINANCE COMPLAINT FORM (printable version)
Halfmoon Dog Ordinance (printable version)


All animals transported by Halfmoon Animal Control are brought to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter located at 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. The phone number is 885-4113, and the shelter is open Mon.-Sat. 10-4, closed Sundays and holidays. The shelter also sponsors rabies vaccination clinics several times each year, and posts pictures of animals available for adoption. For more information click on the following link:
http://www.co.saratoga.ny.us/shelter2/index.html

Other local shelters include:
Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society, Menands, NY, 434-8128
http://www.mohawkhumanesociety.org/

Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady, Scotia, NY, 374-3944
http://www.animalprotective.org/

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Upstate NY, Glens Falls, NY, 798-3500
http://www.geocities.com/spcauny

Additional Animal Organizations Include:
The Humane Society of the United States, http://www.hsus.org/
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, http://www.aspca.org/
Animal Lovers, http://www.animalovers.org/
American Humane Society, http://www.americanhumane.org/
American Kennel Club, http://www.akc.org/
Petfinders, http://www.petfinder.com/
Defenders of Wildlife, http://www.defenders.org/
World Wildlife Fund, http://www.worldwildlife.org/

Many of these sites have informative newsletters, as well as providing a wealth of information about domestic or wild animals.

Some Additional Sites of Interest and Information Include:
http://www.animaland.org/ -an ASPCA site full of games for children and pet care information
http://www.animed.org/ -a site dedicated to information about medications for pets
http://www.HomeAgainID.com -a site about micro-chipping your pet

If You Need Additional Information About…
Nuisance Wildlife (Advice or Referral)… Call
NYS DEC Wildlife Office 623-1200
Cornell Cooperative Extension 885-8995