Resident urges Pittsfield to pursue local animal‑shelter options after contracted shelter refusal

At the Nov. 19 Pittsfield Town Council meeting, resident Karen Small urged the town to address what she described as growing gaps in animal control services after encounters in which the contracted shelter, the Waterville Humane Society, reportedly refused animals the town had attempted to transfer.

"I have had to call Russell a couple times and he's told me... I can't get the animals because I have no place to put them," Karen Small said during public comment, reporting instances of animals being abandoned and asking whether Pittsfield could establish a local shelter or a community volunteer network to temporarily house stray animals. She offered personal volunteer support and suggested a field near the town dump as a potential starting site.

Councilors acknowledged the problem and explained constraints. Staff and council members said the shelter sometimes must refuse animals because of space or illness and that operationally running a facility carries legal and liability risks. The chair asked staff to start tracking how many animals are refused so the town can quantify the problem rather than rely on anecdotes.

Councilors and staff suggested short‑term community solutions such as a volunteer placement network — where vetted volunteers temporarily foster animals and coordinate with the shelter — while pursuing formal discussions with the contracted shelter to clarify services and expectations. The council did not adopt a policy at the meeting but indicated it will follow up with staff reports and outreach.

The council is expected to review any staff findings or formal proposals at a future meeting.