Chesapeake Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this Chesapeake animal-help guide to adopt a dog or cat, check adoption hours, call the Animal Services Unit, report an animal-control issue, find lost/found guidance, reclaim an impounded pet, surrender a pet, or confirm city license/microchip requirements.
Best first step: call 757-382-8080 for shelter questions and 757-382-6161 for Animal Control complaints or urgent non-emergency service requests.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Adoption and lost/found hours
- Adoption fees and inclusions
- Adoption micro-steps
- Adoption eligibility checklist
- Lost/found pet steps
- Reclaim checklist
- Surrender and owner requests
- Animal Control service calls
- Deceased animals and wildlife
- License, rabies and microchip notes
- Local Chesapeake tips
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Chesapeake Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. This page is built for adoption visitors, lost-pet owners, found-pet helpers and animal-control callers.
Chesapeake Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
Adoption/visiting hours and lost/found office hours are different. Use the correct window before driving.
| Day | Visiting & adoption hours | Lost & found office hours | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10am-4pm | 8am-5pm | Adoption visit, reclaim/lost-pet help. |
| Tuesday | Noon-6pm | 11am-6pm | Later adoption window. |
| Wednesday | Closed | Closed | Use phone/online resources only unless emergency routing applies. |
| Thursday | 10am-4pm | 8am-5pm | Adoption visit and lost/found help. |
| Friday | 10am-4pm | 8am-5pm | Good before weekend traffic. |
| Saturday | 10am-4pm | 8am-4pm | Weekend adoption visit. |
| Sunday | 10am-4pm | 8am-4pm | Weekend adoption visit and lost/found help. |
| Holidays | Closed | Closed | Call before making plans. |
Adoption Fees and What They Include
CASU lists simple adoption fees with important medical inclusions. Confirm the exact fee for the animal before payment.
| Animal | Fee | Included care listed by CASU | Ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs / puppies | $110 | Spay/neuter, DHPP and rabies vaccines appropriate to age, dewormer, flea prevention, heartworm test and microchip implantation. | Behavior notes, heartworm status, exercise needs, dog/cat/kid history and first-vet timing. |
| Cats / kittens | $75 | Spay/neuter, FVRCP and rabies vaccines appropriate to age, dewormer, flea prevention, FIV/FeLV/HW test and microchip implantation. | Litter habits, indoor adjustment, other-pet history and kitten booster needs. |
| Two felines | Second feline fee waived | Applies when adopting two felines under the listed adoption-fee note. | Ask if both cats are a good pair and whether introductions are needed. |
| Senior, heartworm-positive or special-medical animals | Discounted | Discounts may apply based on medical/senior status. | Ask for medical plan, expected costs and follow-up timeline. |
| Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, small reptiles, livestock and other companion animals | Varies | Fee depends on species. | Ask about housing, diet, veterinary needs and handling requirements. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Use this order to avoid a wasted trip.
Open the official adoption page
Start from the City’s Adopt page and check current adoption details before visiting.
Call with the pet details
Call 757-382-8080 and ask whether the specific animal is still available, whether a meet is possible today and what paperwork is needed.
Bring a valid ID
Adopters must be 18 or older with valid identification.
Prepare current-pet records
If you already own pets, be ready with current rabies vaccination and City license information when applicable.
Bring safe transport
Use a cat carrier, dog leash/harness or crate. Do not carry a nervous animal loose through the parking lot.
Ask exit questions
Ask about vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip, test results, food, behavior notes, first vet visit and how to handle the first 72 hours at home.
Adoption Eligibility Checklist
CASU says adoptions must be in the best interest of the animal and community.
Age and ID
Adopters must be at least 18 and have valid ID.
No animal-cruelty history
Adopters and household members may not have animal cruelty, neglect or abandonment convictions.
Best-match review
CASU can refuse adoptions that are not in the animal’s or community’s best interest.
Household agreement
Make sure all adults agree before visiting. Renters should check landlord rules first.
Pet records
Have rabies and City license details for current animals if applicable.
Payment plan
Confirm accepted payment types and exact fee before arriving.
Lost or Found Pet in Chesapeake
Move quickly. Found animals should be reported, and impounded/lost animals are held for a minimum of five days, not including pickup day.
If your pet is lost
- Search close first: yard, garage, sheds, under vehicles, porches, drainage areas, woods and nearby streets.
- Call CASU at 757-382-8080.
- Check during lost/found office hours, not only adoption hours.
- Update microchip company phone, email and emergency contact.
- Prepare a clear face photo, side/body photo, collar/tag details and last-seen cross streets.
- Post with exact Chesapeake neighborhood or cross streets, not only “Chesapeake.”
- Check nearby jurisdictions if the pet may have crossed into Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk or North Carolina border areas.
If you found an animal
- Stay safe; do not handle aggressive, injured or trapped animals.
- Take photos before moving the animal.
- Write exact location: street, cross street, subdivision, business, park or canal/wooded area.
- Check collar/tag only if safe.
- Ask about microchip scanning.
- Report found animals to Animal Services within the required timeframe.
- If pickup is needed, call 757-382-6161 so a dispatcher can route an Animal Control Officer.
Reclaim Checklist
Call first and bring proof. Do not wait until the hold period is almost over.
Photo ID
Bring government photo ID for the owner/reclaiming person.
Ownership proof
Bring photos, vet records, adoption papers, microchip record, license or tag details.
License/tag
Bring City license and rabies tag details if available.
Rabies record
Bring current rabies certificate if you have it.
Fees/payment
Ask which reclaim, board, medical, license or service fees apply.
Safe transport
Bring leash, harness, crate or carrier for pickup.
Surrender and Owner Requests
Do not drop off an owned pet without speaking to CASU. The official surrender page says proof of Chesapeake residency is required to surrender.
| Situation | Best first action | Prepare before calling | Ask this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owned pet surrender | Call CASU first. | Proof of Chesapeake residency, pet age, species, medical records, behavior notes, bite history. | “What appointment, paperwork, fee and alternatives apply?” |
| Home pickup request | Call and ask about availability. | Animal location, owner availability, reason for surrender. | “Is pickup possible, and what priority should I expect?” |
| Pet euthanasia request | Call shelter during business hours. | Residency proof, pet condition, vet history and owner details. | “What service rules and fees apply?” |
| Temporary hardship | Ask about alternatives first. | Reason: housing, food, vet cost, behavior, family emergency. | “Are there behavior, rescue, food or rehoming resources before intake?” |
Animal Control Service Calls
CASU operates under the Police Department. Animal Control complaints and service requests go through the police non-emergency number.
| Issue | Call route | What to prepare | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stray domestic animal | Police non-emergency dispatch | Exact location, direction of travel, species, color, size, safety risk. | Call 757-382-6161. |
| Animal bite | Animal Control / emergency route | Victim info, animal description, owner/location, medical urgency. | Call 911 if immediate danger; otherwise 757-382-6161. |
| Cruelty, neglect or abandonment | Animal Control complaint | Address, dates/times, visible conditions, photos/video if safe. | Call 757-382-6161. |
| At-large or nuisance animal | Animal Control complaint | Repeated pattern, owner address if known, dates/times. | Call 757-382-6161. |
| Vicious, injured or sick animal | Animal Control complaint | Human safety risk, location, animal condition, whether confined. | Do not handle; call dispatch. |
| General shelter question | Shelter business line | Animal ID/details, adoption/reclaim/surrender question. | Call 757-382-8080. |
Deceased Animals and Wildlife
This prevents the wrong call.
Dead animal along roadway
CASU does not pick up deceased animals. For deceased animals along roadways, submit a Customer Contact Center request or call 757-382-2489.
Owner pet remains
Owners may pay a fee to dispose of pet remains at the facility. Call first to confirm current rules.
Wild animals
Chesapeake Animal Services does not routinely pick up wild animals or provide traps for that purpose. Call for guidance if there is exposure, injury or safety risk.
License, Rabies and Microchip Notes
License, rabies and identification details matter for adoption applications, lost-pet return and city compliance.
Local Chesapeake Tips
Give exact location
Use subdivision, cross streets, Military Highway area, canal, park, business or rural road landmark.
Check water/woods routes
Lost pets may follow canals, wooded easements, fields and drainage areas instead of sidewalks.
Tags work fast
A current tag and microchip can shorten the return process and reduce confusion at the shelter.
Use the right hours
Lost/found office hours begin earlier than adoption visiting hours on some days.
Bring transport
Bring a carrier or leash. Nervous animals can bolt in parking lots.
Weather plan
In Hampton Roads heat or storms, keep pets indoors, tagged, microchipped and hydrated.
Before You Leave Home
Valid ID, fee/payment, current-pet rabies/license info, leash/carrier and household approval.
Recent photo, microchip, tag/license, cross streets, last-seen time and phone number.
Photos, exact location, tag/collar, safe containment status and pickup need.
ID, ownership or residency proof, rabies/vet records, appointment confirmation and payment.
Map: Chesapeake Animal Services Unit
Use this map for the main CASU shelter location. Call before driving for adoptions, lost/found, reclaim, surrender or owner-service questions.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in adopting from Chesapeake Animal Services. Is [animal name/description] still available, what should I bring, and are adoptions available today?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets/neighborhood] in Chesapeake. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal come in?Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other] near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. Do I need Animal Control pickup or should I bring it in?Surrender
Hi, I’m a Chesapeake resident and need to discuss surrendering an owned pet. What proof, appointment, fee and alternatives should I know before coming?Official Chesapeake Animal Links
The main details are summarized above. Use these official links for final verification and action.
Chesapeake Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Chesapeake Animal Services Unit located?
Chesapeake Animal Services Unit is located at 2100 S Military Highway, Chesapeake, VA 23322.
What is the Chesapeake Animal Shelter phone number?
The shelter phone number is 757-382-8080. Animal Control complaints and urgent non-emergency service calls go through 757-382-6161.
What are Chesapeake Animal Shelter adoption hours in 2026?
Visiting and adoption hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday from noon to 6pm, and closed Wednesdays and holidays.
What are Chesapeake Animal Services lost and found office hours?
Lost and found office hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8am to 5pm, Tuesday from 11am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm.
How much is a dog adoption at Chesapeake Animal Services?
Dogs and puppies are listed at $110, including spay/neuter surgery, DHPP and rabies vaccines appropriate to age, dewormer, flea prevention, heartworm test and microchip implantation.
How much is a cat adoption at Chesapeake Animal Services?
Cats and kittens are listed at $75, including spay/neuter surgery, FVRCP and rabies vaccines appropriate to age, dewormer, flea prevention, FIV/FeLV/HW test and microchip implantation. If you adopt two felines, the second adoption fee is waived.
Who can adopt from Chesapeake Animal Services?
Adopters must be at least 18 with valid ID. Adopters and household members may not have animal cruelty, neglect or abandonment convictions, and CASU may refuse adoptions that are not in the animal’s or community’s best interest.
What should I do if I found a stray animal in Chesapeake?
Keep yourself safe, note the exact location, take photos, check for a tag only if safe, report the found animal, and call 757-382-6161 if Animal Control pickup is needed.
How long are lost animals held at Chesapeake Animal Services?
Chesapeake Animal Services says animals are held for a minimum of five days, not including the date of pickup, to give owners time to find them.
Can I surrender a pet to Chesapeake Animal Services?
Yes, but you must have proof of Chesapeake residency to surrender, and you should call the shelter first to ask about appointment, fees, pickup priority and alternatives.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.