Animals placed in the care and custody of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture through investigations by the agency’s Animal Control Officers are being offered for adoption to responsible individuals or organizations.

The animals are housed at the department’s Second Chance large animal rehabilitation facility in Niantic.  

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. 

Many of the animals, however, were removed from their owners due to complaints of neglect or abuse, and may have physical and social limitations that could require continued medical care or special living conditions.  

Potential adopters will be required to:  

• Submit an adoption application and signed 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 Dept. of Agriculture Animal Control Officers. 

For an adoption application and information about animals eligible for adoption, please email AGR.AnimalControl@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.

The 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.

Located at York Correctional Facility, the Second Chance program is a collaboration between the Dept. of Agriculture and the Dept. of Correction through which inmates volunteer to work with the animals in partnership with agency personnel.

Care of the animals at the Niantic facility is partly paid by donations to the State Animal Abuse Cost Recovery Account, donations are greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made by sending a check to:

THE ANIMAL ABUSE COST RECOVERY ACCOUNT

c/o Connecticut Department of Agriculture

450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 702, Hartford, Connecticut 06103