Search and see photos of adoptable pets in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area

Cities, Towns, and/or Counties We Serve:

The Virginia Beach Bureau of Animal Control serves the citizens and animals of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

About Our Shelter:

Police Department Bureau of Animal Control

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Animal Control Home Page

The mission of the Virginia Beach Bureau of Animal Control is to balance the health, safety and welfare needs of the people and animals in our City.

Our mission is accomplished by working with our citizens and other animal welfare organizations; by enforcing the domestic animals laws of our Commonwealth and our City, providing educational programs and humanely providing care, nourishment and a safe environment for the unwanted, stray, abused and abandoned animals in our City. We will educate the public about responsible companion animals ownership, aggressively investigate animal cruelty cases, find homes for the homeless animals and humanely euthanize the unwanted animals in our community.

Come Meet our Pets:

You can visit our shelter during normal business hours when you are looking for a new pet, or you can attend one of the many adoption events that are hosted by the Friends of Virginia Beach Animal Control.

Our Adoption Process:

A citizen, interested in adopting an animal may have thier name placed on that animals registration record.

If an animal is adopted under contract, then the citizen must be a resident of Virginia Beach or an adjoining locality.

After a citizen places their name on the waiting list for any dog or cat, they shall be given adoption information and advised that they will be called on the available adoption date.

Upon adoption and within 10 days the animal must be taken to a licensed veterinarian of a though examination. Written proof of the veterinarian's declaration must be provided to Animal Control within 15 days of adoption.

If the animal is lost, stolen or dies before sterilization the adopter will notify animal Control within 7 days of the animal's death or disappearance. The adopter is subject to a $25.00 civil penalty if they fail to do this.

If the adopter chooses not to keep this animal prior to sterilization, then they must return the animal to Animal Control.

Adoption Fees
Unaltered dogs: $25.00*
Unaltered cats: $20.00*
Altered dogs: $25.00
Altered cats: $20.00

All other animals: $15.00
* A $50.00 surgery fee is required to adopt all unaltered animals

In compliance with the Code of Virginia, all animals adopted from our shelter must be spayed or neutered to help fight animal overpopulation.