West Paris Animal Control – 2025 Annual Report

In 2025, West Paris had the highest call volume of any town in the coverage area, with 303 calls for service handled by Animal Control Officer Brandon E. Holmes. Coverage ran 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across a full range of public safety and animal welfare response.

2025 Call Volume

A total of 303 calls were handled in West Paris this year. Here is how those calls broke down by category:

Stray or loose animals – 180
Bite investigations and quarantine enforcement – 27
Sick or injured animals – 21
Livestock at large – 17
General animal control and ordinance – 12
Neglect investigations – 11
Owner surrenders and shelter transports – 10
Cruelty to animals – 8
Deceased animals – 5
Kennel inspections – 4
Aggressive behavior – 3
Noise and administrative complaints – 4 combined
Abandonment – 1

Many of these calls involved multiple follow-up visits, veterinary coordination, shelter transport, and in some cases, court documentation.

Bite Investigations and Public Safety

West Paris had 27 bite investigation case activities in 2025. Each bite report triggers a mandatory 10-day rabies quarantine under Maine law. That means follow-up visits to verify the animal is confined and healthy, and final documentation before the quarantine can be closed. Several cases also required coordination with Maine CDC and local health officers.

Cruelty and neglect cases were investigated in coordination with local law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office when needed.

Livestock Response

Seventeen livestock calls came out of West Paris in 2025, including loose cattle, goats, and other farm animals. Each one required roadside safety response, owner coordination, and follow-up on fencing and containment.

Community Cat Program

One of the biggest accomplishments in West Paris this year was the continued growth of the community cat program. Through partnerships with shelters, veterinarians, trappers, and volunteers:

64 community cats were spayed or neutered
27 cats entered the shelter system for adoption or placement
Multiple unmanaged colonies were stabilized through Trap-Neuter-Return
Feeding stations and winter shelter guidance were provided to colony caretakers
Nuisance complaints were resolved through sterilization rather than displacement

Spay and neuter is the most effective long-term tool for reducing the feral cat population and the complaints that come with it.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Planning work completed in 2025 will bring monthly spay and neuter clinics to Harrison starting in 2026. This cuts transport distance significantly, reduces mileage and fuel costs, and opens the door for more West Paris residents and community cat caretakers to access low-cost services closer to home.

Mileage

8,261 miles were logged on West Paris calls in 2025. That includes emergency response, shelter and vet transports, compliance follow-ups, and community cat trapping runs.