Waltham Animal Control

Over the last couple of weeks, there have been a total of 19 guinea pigs dumped in the The City of Waltham. 10 in the cemetery and then 9 behind 1601 Trapelo Rd. in the woods. All are safe now.

Apparently it is happening in a lot of areas of Massachusetts. Local pet stores are not buying as many guinea pigs as they used to due to stricter regulations. As a result, instead of contacting a rescue or rehoming them, the breeders are dumping their breeding stock in large numbers out in the woods to fend for themselves. The lucky ones are found. The rest usually end up as prey. They are not able to survive on their own dumped in the wild!!

If anyone has any information, or knows someone that breeds guinea pigs and may know who is dumping them in our area, please call us with any information at 781-314-3596.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary has been absolutely amazing helping out many communities dealing with these mass dumps. Our last group of 9 brought them up to over 260 guinea pigs!! Please check out their page and help them out if you can. Having been there myself to drop off our little pile 'o pigs, I am amazed at the job they are doing and the number of piggies they have rescued.

With recent American black bear sightings in our area, it’s important to know how to prevent attracting them to your property.

Bears are typically drawn in by easy food sources such as bird feeders, unsecured trash, pet food, backyard chickens, and even grills. Taking a few simple steps can make a big difference:

Remove bird feeders during warmer months when natural food is abundant
Secure trash in bear-resistant containers or keep it indoors until pickup
Bring pet food inside and clean grills after use
Protect chickens and livestock with secure enclosures

If you have questions or experience issues with bears, you can contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife for guidance and support.

Being proactive helps keep both residents and wildlife safe.

Even though Waltham is an urban area, it supports a surprising amount of wildlife living alongside residents. Species commonly found here include coyotes, foxes, bobcats, fishers, and deer. On rare occasions, even a moose may wander through.

As American black bear populations continue to expand eastward, sightings are expected to become more frequent in our region.

Understanding and respecting local wildlife helps keep both animals and people safe.

Learn about black bears Black bears continue to expand their range in Massachusetts. Learn about the lives and habits of these fascinating animals and get tips for avoiding conflicts with bears in your area.