Animal Control
The Animal Control Unit is comprised of two branches, enforcement and sheltering. Each entity serves different functions through partner holistic animal services for the community.
The mission of the Virginia Beach Animal Control Unit is to balance the health, safety and welfare needs of the people and animals in our City.
Through our mission, Animal Control will educate the public about responsible companion animal ownership, aggressively investigate animal cruelty cases, provide compassion and humane care for unwanted, stray, abused, and abandoned animals in our city, give adoptable animals a second chance at a forever home, and humanely euthanize animals when necessary and appropriate.
Calls for Service
To have an Animal Control Officer respond to a call for service, call dispatch at 757-385-4444 and select “Option #1.” Animal Control Officers are on routine patrol from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., seven days a week. There is an officer on stand-by duty after hours to respond to emergency calls for service only.
When calls are received, a Communications Officer dispatches an Animal Control Officer to investigate complaints. If the officer sees a violation when they arrive, appropriate action will be taken.
For all other non-emergency inquiries, please send an email to vbpdac@vbgov.com.
*NOTE: This email box is not monitored 24/7.
The best way to prevent rabies is to make sure your animals are vaccinated. If you or someone you know is attacked by an animal, wounds should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water. Injured parties should then report to the hospital to check for rabies and other diseases.
Report the bite/attack to Animal Control at 757-385-4444. If the animal that bit you is a pet (dog, cat, etc.), it should be watched for signs of rabies for 10 days.
Encounters with wild animals are common, due to the city's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, large rural areas, and the Great Dismal Swamp and Back Bay wildlife refuges. Fox, otter, snakes, seals, bats, deer, opossum, raccoons, and other wildlife, including a rare black bear, have been spotted within city limits.
If you encounter a wild animal, it's best to simply leave it alone.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) provides information on what to do if you encounter nuisance species on your property, such as a snake in your house or a raccoon in your attic.
VDGIF also maintains a list of licensed trappers who can assist residents with certain types of wildlife nuisance problems. Alternatively, citizens may legally use humane traps to remove animals from their homes or property.
Animal Control Unit Advisory Board
An Animal Control Unit Advisory Board has been established in accordance with city code Section 5-103 - Section 5-105. The city code may be found online on Municode.
The Animal Control Unit Advisory Board holds meetings quarterly at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Virginia Beach Care & Adoption Center located at 341 S. Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. The meetings are open to the public.
Upcoming Meetings
- Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.