State guide
Virginia
Virginia animal control is organized by locality: counties and cities must have animal control officers, while towns may do so. Rabies response is split between local animal control or law enforcement for the animal and the Virginia Department of Health for human exposure guidance.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who handles animal control locally
- Animal control in Virginia is usually handled by county or city animal control or animal services; counties and cities must employ an animal control officer, and towns may do so.
- State wildlife agency (nuisance and injured wildlife)
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Nuisance wildlife help
- Official page →
- Reporting an animal bite
- Virginia bite victims should report the bite to the local health department, and VDH also directs people to call animal control or law enforcement to secure the animal.
- State rabies contact
- Virginia Department of Health Animal Contact & Human Health / Rabies Control
Official resources in Virginia
Official Virginia rabies page for bite victims, pet owners, healthcare providers, and local health department guidance.
Official state help page for injured or orphaned wildlife.
Official statewide rehabilitator map and list maintained by DWR.
Official animal care page with animal control officer training information and Office of Veterinary Services contact.
Current state law creating the animal control officer position for counties and cities, and allowing towns to employ one.
Key facts for Virginia
- Each Virginia county or city shall employ an animal control officer; each town may employ one.
- VDH says bite victims should report the bite to the local health department.
- VDH says to call an animal control or law enforcement officer to get the biting animal.
- Virginia DWR says injured or truly orphaned wild animals should be reported through its wildlife conflict helpline or a permitted rehabilitator.
- County, city, or town animal control officers may handle problem wildlife removal related to public health concerns.
- VDACS Office of Veterinary Services manages animal care mandates and animal control officer training.
Local animal control offices in Virginia
| Office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County Animal Services Fairfax County | Lorton | 703-691-2131 | As of March 9, 2026, Fairfax County animal control services are part of the Department of Animal Services; this non-emergency line is used for animal-related emergencies or assistance, including wildlife concerns. |
| Loudoun County Animal Services Loudoun County | Leesburg | 703-777-0406 | Operates the animal shelter and humane law enforcement services countywide and in the towns, with emergency services available 24/7. |
| Prince William County Animal Services Center Prince William County | Manassas | (703) 792-6465 | Animal services center for shelter functions; the contact page also lists Animal Control Officer service at (703) 792-6500 24-hours-a-day. |
| Virginia Beach Animal Services Bureau | Virginia Beach | 757-385-4444 | Animal enforcement and sheltering bureau; dispatch option 1 sends an Animal Control Officer to calls for service. |
| Chesterfield County Animal Services Unit Chesterfield County | Chesterfield | 804-748-1683 | County animal services unit; after-hours calls go to Police non-emergency at 804-748-1251. |
| Henrico Police Animal Protection Unit & Shelter Henrico County | Glen Allen | 804-727-8807 | Shelter appointments, adoptions, stray reports, and releases are handled through the shelter line; wildlife complaints go through Police Non-Emergency at 804-501-5000. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If a person is bitten, wash the wound, get medical care, and report it to the local health department.
- If the animal is still present, call local animal control or law enforcement so the animal can be located or confined.
- For wild animals, use the DWR wildlife conflict helpline or the permitted rehabilitator map instead of trying to keep the animal yourself.
Not seeing your office or county?
Not every office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Virginia's population center, for comparison only):
- DC Health Division of Animal Services - Animal Control Facility, District of Columbia · about 84 miles
- DC Health Division of Animal Services - Administrative Office, District of Columbia · about 84 miles
- DC Animal Shelter at DC Village, District of Columbia · about 84 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Virginia DWR Injured and Orphaned Wildlife
Website →Phone: (855) 571-9003 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Virginia page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.