Second Chance Animal Adoption Program

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s (CT DoAg) State Animal Control Unit, in coordination with municipalities, is responsible for investigating and making arrests in association with complaints of animal cruelty. These cases can lead to these animals being placed in the care and custody of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. Once the courts grant the agency the care custody of these animals, our State Animal Control Officers strive to arrange for them to be adopted by responsible individuals or organizations.

Most of these animals are cared for by the agency’s staff at the Second Chance rehabilitation facility in Niantic or at local and regional municipal pound facilities where the animals are rehabilitated and cared for during ongoing cruelty prosecutions.

CT DoAg makes every effort to find suitable homes for the domestic animals and livestock in their care. Many of the animals were removed from their owners due to complaints of neglect or abuse and may have physical and/or social limitations that could require continued medical care or special living conditions. Potential adopters will be made aware upon inquiry.

Potential adopters will be required to:

• Submit an adoption application and signed an adoption agreement.
• Agree to a background check and inspection of where the animal(s) will be housed prior to being approved.
• Agree to subsequent announced or unannounced inspections by CT DoAg Animal Control  Officers.

For an adoption application and information about animals eligible for adoption, please email AGR.Adoptions@ct.gov or call the State Animal Control Unit at 860-713-2506.

Applications will be reviewed by department staff and applicants may be contacted for more information and/or to schedule an on-site inspection prior to approval.

All animals presented for adoption have been medically cleared to move to new homes, and a full medical history will be provided to each adopter.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture reserves the right to decline applications based upon the needs of the animal and the ability of the potential adopter to provide adequate care.