Richmond Animal Care & Control Adoption Hours, Lost Pets, Fees & Animal Control Help
Use official Richmond Animal Care & Control resources to check adoption hours, view adoptable pets, report lost or found animals, contact animal control, understand appointment days, confirm adoption steps, ask about pet licensing, handle stray or injured animals, and avoid confusing the public city shelter with private Richmond-area rescues.
If you are searching for richmond animal shelter, choose the task closest to what you need. This finder points users to the correct official Richmond Animal Care & Control route for adoption, shelter hours, lost pets, found pets, animal control, pet licensing, appointment questions and private-rescue confusion.
Choose one option. The official action card below updates for Richmond adoption, hours, lost pets, found pets, animal control, adoption fees, licensing, foster and volunteer help.
🐶 Adopt a pet — start with official RACC adoption resources
Use this for: dogs, cats and other animals available through Richmond Animal Care & Control.
Best official path: open the RACC adoption page, review available pets and instructions, then visit or contact the shelter based on current hours and appointment guidance.
Before you go: RACC hours differ by day, and Monday/Tuesday are by appointment, so verify before driving.
Richmond Animal Shelter Quick Facts Before You Visit
Richmond Animal Care & Control, often called RACC, is the City of Richmond’s open-admission public animal shelter. It provides humane care for stray, sick, injured and relinquished pets, handles adoptions, works on lost-and-found reunions, enforces animal laws, investigates cruelty concerns and helps keep pets with families whenever possible.
The official shelter is located at 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222. The main phone number is 804-646-5573. Lost and found questions may also route through the intake team at 804-646-5574. If you are looking for the public city shelter, do not confuse RACC with Richmond SPCA, Richmond Animal League, Henrico Animal Protection, Chesterfield Animal Services or private foster-based rescues.
What This Richmond Animal Shelter Guide Covers
Richmond Animal Care & Control Hours, Address and Phone Number
Richmond Animal Care & Control is located at 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222. The main shelter phone number is 804-646-5573. RACC lists Monday and Tuesday as by appointment, Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This schedule is not the same as every private Richmond-area adoption center. RACC is the city’s public shelter and animal control department, so its appointment days, public visit windows, lost-and-found intake and enforcement work can differ from a private rescue’s adoption center hours.
1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222
Use this location for RACC adoption visits, lost/found checks, official shelter help and city animal care services.
804-646-5573
Use for general RACC shelter, adoption and animal care questions.
Monday–Tuesday: by appointment.
Wednesday–Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
804-646-5574
Use when you have questions about RACC’s lost and found process.
How to Adopt a Pet From Richmond Animal Care & Control
RACC adoption is not only about choosing the cutest photo. The shelter is responsible for placing pets safely and responsibly, so adopters should verify current pet availability, read the animal’s notes, ask staff honest questions and prepare for the first week at home.
Start with the official RACC adoption page
Open the RACC Adopt page and review current adoption guidance. If a pet appears on social media, verify the pet through official RACC resources before assuming it is still available.
Check the day and appointment rule
Public hours vary by day, and Monday/Tuesday are appointment-based. Confirm your visit timing before driving to 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue.
Ask fit questions before adoption
Ask about activity level, behavior, medical needs, age, other pets, children, apartment restrictions, exercise needs, crate behavior and first-week transition.
Confirm fee, records and required care
Ask what the adoption fee covers for that specific pet, including spay/neuter status, vaccines, microchip, rabies information and any follow-up instructions.
Prepare your home before pickup
Have a leash or carrier, safe room, food, bowls, litter or crate, ID tag plan, vet appointment, microchip update plan and realistic decompression period ready.
Richmond Animal Shelter Adoption Fees and Foster to Furever
RACC fee details can vary by animal, age, medical status, promotion, program and current shelter guidance. The safest advice is to verify the current fee directly on the official RACC adoption page or by contacting the shelter before visiting.
RACC’s official adoption information includes a Foster to Furever adoption program for eligible dogs six months or older. The official page notes a $100 adoption fee for that program, that all dogs must be spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter, and that appointment-only dogs listed on social media are not eligible for that program.
Verify the current adoption fee for the specific pet before visiting or publishing fee information.
Eligible dogs six months or older may qualify for this program.
The official page lists a $100 adoption fee for participation.
RACC states that dogs must be spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter under the Foster to Furever program.
Program eligibility can be limited by species, age, medical status, appointment-only status or current shelter policy.
Before paying any Richmond adoption fee
- Confirm the pet is still available.
- Ask whether the fee is standard, special-event, waived, foster-program or case-specific.
- Ask what vaccines, microchip, spay/neuter and medical records are included.
- Ask whether the pet has special home restrictions or follow-up needs.
- Budget for veterinary care, preventives, food, supplies and training after adoption.
How to View Richmond Adoptable Dogs, Cats and Shelter Pets Online
Use the official RACC adoption page first for current adoption guidance. RACC may also share adoptable animals on social media and partner pages, but a shared post is not the same as a live official availability guarantee.
Animal availability can change quickly. A pet may be adopted, moved to foster, reclaimed by an owner, placed on hold, treated medically, or updated after you last saw a listing. If you want one specific pet, contact RACC before driving and arrive during the correct public hours or appointment window.
Search Official Adoption Info
Start with RACC’s official adoption page before trusting copied social posts or third-party listings.
Official source firstConfirm Visit Timing
Monday and Tuesday are appointment-based, while public hours run Wednesday through Sunday.
Avoid wasted tripsRichmond Lost Pets, RACC Lost & Found Search and Intake Help
If your pet is missing in Richmond, act fast. RACC’s lost and found page instructs users to create an account and make a detailed post with contact information so the team can better assist with getting pets home. Stray animals at the RACC facility are automatically uploaded to the lost/found website upon intake.
Do not rely only on one Facebook post or one online search. Visit or contact the shelter, refresh the lost/found listings, update microchip information and search nearby neighborhoods because a lost pet may be described incorrectly by a finder or shelter intake system.
804-646-5574
Use for questions about the lost and found process.
savannah.hughes@rva.gov
Use for lost/found assistance when directed by RACC resources.
Create a detailed post with clear photos, contact information, last-seen location, date and identifying marks.
Stray animals at RACC are uploaded to the website upon intake, but you should still check repeatedly.
Lost pet steps that actually help
- Create a detailed official lost-pet post through RACC’s lost/found path.
- Call the intake team at 804-646-5574 if you need help.
- Email savannah.hughes@rva.gov when official guidance directs you there.
- Update microchip contact information immediately.
- Check shelter intake listings repeatedly.
- Visit or contact RACC and nearby shelters if your pet may have crossed boundaries.
Found a Pet in Richmond? Report It, Scan It and Use RACC Lost & Found
If you found a pet in Richmond, do not assume the animal was dumped or has no family. Check for ID if safe, ask nearby neighbors, have the animal scanned for a microchip when possible, and use RACC’s lost/found process so the owner can locate the pet.
Found animals can be scared, injured or defensive. If the animal is aggressive, sick, trapped, injured or creating public danger, use the official animal control route instead of handling the animal yourself.
Use the official RACC Lost & Found page and include clear photos, location and contact details.
Ask a vet, shelter or animal services route about scanning for a microchip when safe.
If someone claims the pet, ask for proof such as photos, vet records or matching details before handing over the animal.
Do not handle aggressive, injured, trapped, sick or frightened animals yourself.
Richmond Animal Control, Cruelty Investigations and Urgent Animal Issues
Richmond Animal Care & Control enforces animal laws, investigates cruelty and works to protect animals and people in the City of Richmond. Use the official Animal Control page when you need city animal enforcement help instead of adoption help.
Animal control is not the same as adopting a pet. If the issue involves a stray animal, injured animal, cruelty concern, dangerous animal, bite, nuisance concern or urgent public safety risk, use RACC’s animal control route and emergency services when appropriate.
Use the official Richmond Animal Care & Control Animal Control page for city enforcement guidance.
804-646-5573
Use for general shelter and animal care contact.
RACC investigates cruelty concerns within the City of Richmond.
For immediate danger, active attack or life-safety risk, use emergency services instead of slow forms or social posts.
Richmond Animal Registry, License and Permit Questions
RACC’s official navigation includes Animal Registry and License/Permits resources. Use those official pages for city-specific pet registration, licensing or permit questions instead of relying on private rescue advice.
Licensing and registry rules can affect proof of ownership, reclaim situations, local compliance, multi-pet questions and special animal circumstances. If your issue involves a legal owner record, current pet license, permit, rabies documentation or city compliance, verify the official RACC page before making assumptions.
Use the official RACC Animal Registry resource for city animal registration guidance.
Use the official RACC License/Permits page for city-specific permit and licensing information.
Keep pet ID, microchip, rabies proof, license and owner contact details updated.
Strong records can help when a missing pet is found or brought to a shelter.
Richmond Foster, Volunteer, Donate and RACC Foundation Help
RACC offers official foster and volunteer pathways, and the RACC Foundation supports the shelter’s work. If you cannot adopt, fostering, volunteering, donating or sharing official RACC posts can still help shelter animals.
Fostering is especially useful when a shelter is crowded or when an animal needs time outside the shelter environment. Volunteering helps with shelter support, enrichment, adoption events and community work. Donations can support supplies, care and shelter needs.
Use the official RACC Foster page to learn current foster needs and steps.
Use the official RACC Volunteer page for current volunteer instructions.
Use official RACC or RACC Foundation donation routes, not random fundraisers claiming to represent the shelter.
Share official posts and direct people to current RACC links instead of circulating old pet availability screenshots.
Richmond Animal Shelter vs Richmond SPCA, Richmond Animal League and Nearby Shelters
The phrase “richmond animal shelter” can point to multiple organizations. Richmond Animal Care & Control is the official City of Richmond open-admission public shelter and animal control department. Richmond SPCA and Richmond Animal League are separate private nonprofit organizations with their own adoption hours, adoption processes, clinic services and pet-help programs.
Richmond Animal Care & Control at 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222.
Richmond SPCA, Richmond Animal League, Henrico Animal Protection, Chesterfield Animal Services or private rescue groups.
Wrong organization means wrong hours, wrong lost-pet route, wrong adoption process, wrong fee and wrong animal control response.
Confirm the official domain, address, phone number and pet listing before visiting, reporting, reclaiming or paying fees.
Official Richmond Animal Shelter, Adoption and Animal Control Links
Use these official resources first. This protects users from old hours, copied pet listings, outdated fee claims, wrong lost-pet instructions, private-rescue confusion and third-party pages that do not control RACC operations.
🏠 Animal Care & Control
Main City of Richmond Animal Care & Control page for shelter, adoption, animal control and lost/found links.
Open RACC Main Page🐾 Adopt
Official RACC adoption page with current adoption guidance and program information.
Open Adopt Page🚨 Animal Control
Official Richmond animal control route for animal law, cruelty and city enforcement questions.
Open Animal Control🔎 Lost & Found
Official RACC lost and found page for detailed lost/found animal posting and intake guidance.
Open Lost & Found🤝 Foster
Official RACC foster page for current foster needs and instructions.
Open Foster Page🙋 Volunteer
Official RACC volunteer page for current volunteer requirements and opportunities.
Open Volunteer Page🏷️ Animal Registry
Official city animal registry resource from Richmond Animal Care & Control.
Open Animal Registry📄 License/Permits
Official RACC license and permit resource for city-specific animal compliance questions.
Open License/Permits💚 RACC Foundation
Official foundation support route for Richmond Animal Care & Control.
Open RACC FoundationPhone, address and contact details
1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222
804-646-5573
804-646-5574
savannah.hughes@rva.gov
Richmond Animal Care & Control Map and Visit Location
Richmond Animal Care & Control is located at 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222. Use this location for RACC adoption visits, lost-pet checks, found-pet guidance, animal care questions and official city shelter services.
Richmond Animal Care & Control
Address: 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222
Richmond Animal Shelter FAQs
What are Richmond Animal Care & Control adoption hours in 2026?
RACC lists Monday and Tuesday as by appointment, Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Verify current hours before visiting.
Where is Richmond Animal Care & Control located?
Richmond Animal Care & Control is located at 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222.
What is the Richmond Animal Shelter phone number?
The main RACC phone number is 804-646-5573. For lost and found intake questions, RACC lists 804-646-5574.
Is Richmond Animal Care & Control the city shelter?
Yes. RACC is the City of Richmond’s open-admission public animal shelter and animal control department.
Is Richmond Animal Shelter the same as Richmond SPCA?
No. Richmond Animal Care & Control is the city public shelter. Richmond SPCA is a separate private nonprofit organization with its own adoption center, clinic services and hours.
What should I do if my pet is lost in Richmond?
Create a detailed lost-pet post through RACC’s lost/found process, check shelter intake listings, call the intake team at 804-646-5574 if needed, update microchip contact details and keep checking because shelter records can change quickly.
What should I do if I found a pet in Richmond?
Check for ID if safe, have the animal scanned for a microchip when possible, use RACC’s Lost & Found page to report the found animal, and call RACC if the animal is unsafe, injured or needs official handling.
Does RACC handle animal control?
Yes. RACC enforces animal laws, investigates cruelty concerns and handles animal control functions for the City of Richmond. Use the official Animal Control page for city enforcement guidance.
How much are RACC adoption fees?
RACC adoption fees can vary by animal, program and current shelter guidance. The official Foster to Furever program for eligible dogs six months or older lists a $100 adoption fee. Always verify the current fee for the specific pet before visiting.
Can I foster a pet through RACC?
Yes. RACC has an official Foster page. Use that page to check current foster needs, requirements and instructions.
Does Richmond Animal Care & Control have volunteer options?
Yes. RACC has an official Volunteer page where users can review current volunteer information and requirements.
Where do I check Richmond animal licenses or permits?
Use the official RACC Animal Registry and License/Permits pages for city-specific registration, licensing and permit questions.
Best Way to Use Richmond Animal Care & Control in 2026
The best path is simple: use official RACC resources first, verify current hours before visiting, check whether Monday or Tuesday requires an appointment, use the official lost/found process for missing or found pets, and use the animal control route for city enforcement, cruelty or urgent animal concerns.
For the focus keyword richmond animal shelter, this guide covers the full user intent: adoption hours, address, phone number, public shelter role, adoptable pets, adoption fees, Foster to Furever, lost pets, found pets, animal control, licensing, foster, volunteer, map and official links. That is the difference between a useful Richmond shelter page and a thin article that only repeats an address.
Important Notice: This article is an independent informational guide and is not the City of Richmond, Richmond Animal Care & Control, Richmond SPCA, Richmond Animal League, a veterinarian, law enforcement, or a legal authority. Adoption availability, adoption fees, shelter hours, appointment rules, animal listings, lost/found postings, animal control response, licensing rules, permits, foster needs, volunteer rules and shelter operations can change. Always verify urgent or official matters directly with Richmond Animal Care & Control, emergency services, or the appropriate official agency before acting.