Loudoun Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Home › Virginia Animal Shelters › Loudoun Animal Shelter
Verified Loudoun Shelter Guide

Loudoun Animal Shelter & Control Guide: Adoption Hours, Fees, Lost Pets, Humane Law Enforcement & Map

Searching for Loudoun Animal Shelter usually means you need Loudoun County Animal Services in Leesburg, Virginia. This guide brings together the official address, phone number, adoption hours, adoption fees, lost-and-found pet steps, surrender appointment rules, humane law enforcement routing, video help, and map before you visit or call.

Official shelter address 42225 Adoption Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175
Main phone 703-777-0406
Adoption hours shown Daily 11:00 AM–5:30 PM; walk-through until 6:00 PM

Quick Answer: Which Loudoun Animal Shelter do most people need?

Most people searching “Loudoun Animal Shelter” need Loudoun County Animal Services at 42225 Adoption Drive in Leesburg, Virginia. The main phone number is 703-777-0406. Use the official Loudoun County pages for adoptable pets, adoption fees, lost and found pets, surrender appointments, humane law enforcement concerns, volunteer help, and current shelter updates.

Fast planning note: adoption hours are listed as 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM every day. LCAS encourages adopters to arrive by 5:00 PM because counseling and paperwork take time. New adoptions do not start after 5:30 PM, although visitors may still walk through and view animals until 6:00 PM.

Choose what you need today

Use this action grid if you are on mobile and want the right section quickly.

Loudoun County Animal Services Quick Facts

Official entityLoudoun County Animal Services
Common search nameLoudoun Animal Shelter
Address42225 Adoption Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175
Main phone703-777-0406
After-hours emergency route703-777-0445
Source check: details here are based on official Loudoun County Animal Services pages. Confirm same-day details with the official site or phone number because hours, available animals, fees, event specials, surrender appointments, and enforcement routing can change.

Loudoun Animal Shelter hours: adoption, business hours, call hours and emergency help

Loudoun County Animal Services has slightly different timing depending on what you need. Adoption, business, call, and emergency routing are not the same thing.

Need Officially listed timing Practical note
Adoption hours Monday–Sunday, 11:00 AM–5:30 PM Arrive by 5:00 PM if you may adopt. Adoption counseling and paperwork need time.
Kennel walk-through Until 6:00 PM No new adoptions start after 5:30 PM, but visitors may walk through and view animals until closing.
Business hours Monday–Sunday, 8:30 AM–6:00 PM Use for general shelter business, questions, and service planning.
Call hours Monday–Sunday, 8:30 AM–6:00 PM Call 703-777-0406 for shelter questions and lost/found reports.
Emergency assistance outside hours 703-777-0445 Emergency assistance is limited to serious situations involving threatened humans, cruelty, or sick/injured domestic animals.
Before you drive: check available animals online, call if your need is time-sensitive, and bring the right transport setup. Dogs need a collar and leash; cats need a carrier; small animals need a safe cage or carrier.

Video Guide: Loudoun County Animal Services adoption context before you visit

This video is included because users searching for Loudoun Animal Shelter often want to understand adoptable pets and shelter visit expectations before driving to Leesburg. Use it for adoption context, then rely on the official Loudoun County pages for current animals, hours, fees, and rules.

How to use this video: watch it to understand the shelter/adoption environment, then use the official available-pets page and call LCAS for same-day availability. A video is helpful for context, but the official website remains the final source for current animals and policy.

Loudoun Animal Shelter adoption process: how to adopt from LCAS

Adopting from Loudoun County Animal Services works best when you check animals online first, visit in person, and come prepared. LCAS says adoptions are on a first-come, first-adopt basis and cannot be held or paid for before the adopter arrives and completes the required steps.

View available animals online first.
Check cats, dogs, and other available animals before visiting. Listings can change quickly as animals are adopted, reclaimed, transferred, or moved.
Visit with the animals in person.
An adoption counselor can help you make a selection and answer questions about behavior, age, care needs, and known history.
Submit the application at the shelter.
LCAS says adoption applications are accepted in person at the shelter and cannot be accepted by fax or email.
Pay the non-refundable adoption hold deposit.
The application and deposit begin the process, but you should still be ready for review and possible follow-up questions.
Finalize the adoption contract.
If no extra information is needed, this may happen the same day. If more information is needed, an appointment may be set.
Pick up your new pet prepared.
Bring a collar and leash for dogs, a cat carrier for cats, and a small cage or carrier for small animals.

Loudoun Animal Shelter adoption fees 2026

The official LCAS fee page lists adoption fees by pet type and age. Fee-waived events or special promotions may occur, but this table is the safer baseline for normal planning.

Pet type Official listed fee What to confirm before adopting
Kitten under 7 months$150Ask about age, vaccine timing, spay/neuter status, and carrier needs.
Cat 7 months to 9 years$55Ask about temperament, litter habits, medical notes, and indoor-only needs.
Wise Whisker cat over 9 years$25Ask about senior care, diet, medication, dental needs, and vet follow-up.
Puppy under 1 year$175Ask about training needs, expected size, vaccine schedule, and spay/neuter status.
Dog 1 to 9 years$150Ask about energy level, leash behavior, other-pet compatibility, and known history.
Wise Whisker dog over 9 years$100Ask about mobility, medication, dental care, stairs, and daily comfort needs.
Rabbits$25Ask about diet, enclosure setup, handling, and rabbit-safe housing.
Small pets such as hamster or rat$5Ask about cage size, bedding, diet, and social needs.
Exotic pets such as ferret or chinchilla$30Ask about temperature needs, legal ownership rules, and specialized vet care.
Reptiles and amphibians$30+Ask about lighting, heat, humidity, enclosure, diet, and species-specific rules.
Small bird such as finch or parakeet$5Ask about cage setup, diet, noise, and social needs.
Medium bird such as cockatiel$20Ask about handling, noise, cage size, and long-term care.
Large bird such as macaw$100Ask about lifespan, behavior, housing, enrichment, and avian vet care.
LivestockPlease callAsk about species, transport, enclosure requirements, and zoning rules.
Poultry and fish$2Ask about flock/tank setup, transport, and care needs.
Health follow-up tip: LCAS says shelter pets receive basic health checkups and medical/vaccine information is passed along when available. It also encourages adopters to use the free office visit offered by participating veterinarians soon after adoption, while noting the veterinarian may recommend vaccinations or other care.

Loudoun Animal Shelter adoption requirements: what to prepare

Valid photo IDAdopters must be at least 18 years old and have valid photo identification.
Legal complianceAdopters must show compliance with applicable animal laws, such as rabies vaccination and dog licensing where required.
Housing permissionIf you rent, speak with your landlord before visiting and confirm pets are permitted.
All adults should meet the petLCAS encourages all adults in the household to visit with the new pet before adoption.
Outdoor pet restrictionsAnimals kept outside or inside/outside may require extra review, and declawed cats may not be kept outdoors.
Special-needs readinessYou must meet any applicable special-needs requirements for the animal.

Lost dog or cat in Loudoun County: what to do in the first 24 hours

If your pet is missing in Loudoun County, act quickly and use several routes at once. Call LCAS, create a lost report, check found animal pages, update the microchip, and search physically near the last-known location.

Call LCAS to create a lost report.
Call 703-777-0406. LCAS uses the lost report to cross-reference animals brought to the shelter or reported found in the community.
Check found/stray listings.
Use the official lost and found pet page to search found cats, dogs, other pets, and livestock.
Update microchip contact information.
Use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup, then contact the registry so your phone and email are current.
Search physically.
Check porches, sheds, garages, wooded edges, drainage areas, neighbor properties, barns, and places where a frightened pet may hide.
Visit the shelter if needed.
Descriptions and photos can be imperfect. A scared pet may look darker, smaller, thinner, or like a different breed.
Bring proof of ownership.
Bring photos, vet records, license records, microchip registration, adoption papers, rabies certificate, or other proof if your pet may be at LCAS.

Found a pet in Loudoun County: safe next steps

Most found pets are not abandoned. They may be lost, frightened, injured, or close to home. Loudoun County asks finders to call LCAS, file a report, and email a photo to help owners identify the pet.

File a report with LCASCall 703-777-0406 and give the pet’s location, appearance, condition, and your contact information.
Email a photoSend a clear photo if requested so the pet can be matched to owner reports and search pages.
Talk to neighborsLCAS notes most pets remain close to home, so neighbors may know the owner.
Post signs nearbyLCAS recommends posting signs within a two-mile radius.
Scan for a microchipTake the pet to a veterinarian’s office or the LCAS shelter to scan for a microchip.
Handle safelyDo not handle aggressive, sick, injured, or frightened animals if it puts you at risk.
Found-pet call script: “Hi, I found a dog/cat near [street or landmark] in Loudoun County. The animal is [size/color/breed], has [collar/no collar], and I can send a photo. What is the correct next step?”

Surrender a pet to Loudoun County Animal Services: appointment-only rules

Surrendering a pet is serious, and LCAS provides a structured process. Only Loudoun residents may surrender a pet to LCAS, pet owners must be 18 years or older, and an appointment is required.

Important: do not bring a pet to LCAS for surrender without an appointment. Complete the online surrender form, list the pet on Home-to-Home when appropriate, complete the personality profile, and wait for staff to contact you about surrender and retention options.
Before calling or applyingWrite down age, species, breed, sex, spay/neuter status, vaccine history, medical issues, bite history, behavior notes, and reason for surrender.
Proof of ownershipLCAS lists examples such as bill of sale, transfer of ownership, county license, microchip registration, veterinary records, rabies certificate, or breed registry.
Try alternatives firstLCAS suggests networking with friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, contacting rescues, behavior help, and pet-friendly housing resources.
Behavior assistanceLCAS says residents needing behavioral help can contact the shelter at 703-777-0406.

Loudoun animal control: humane law enforcement, barking dogs, cruelty and emergency routing

Loudoun County Animal Services provides humane law enforcement and accepts many animal complaints through Loudoun Express Request. Some urgent issues cannot be handled through the online form and should be reported by phone.

Business-hour dispatchCall LCAS at 703-777-0406.
After-hours emergency complaintsCall the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021 for emergency complaint routing.
Serious emergencyCall 911 for life-threatening situations or immediate danger.
Examples of online report types: non-life-threatening welfare concerns, nuisance domestic animal issues, pet waste complaints, non-current dogs running at large, non-current aggressive stray reports, and first-time barking dog complaints. Urgent issues such as emergency animal welfare, sick or injured wildlife, wildlife exposures, and current aggressive strays should be reported by phone.

Call scripts for Loudoun County Animal Services

Adoption script: “Hi, I’m interested in adopting a [dog/cat/rabbit/small pet]. I saw pets on your available-pets page. Can you confirm current adoption hours, fees, and whether the pet I like is still available?”

Lost pet script: “Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [street/landmark] in Loudoun County. The pet is [description] and may have [collar/microchip]. Can I create a lost report and check whether a matching animal has been brought in?”

Found pet script: “Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other animal] near [location]. The animal is [description]. I can email a photo. What is the correct next step?”

Concern report script: “Hi, I need to report a non-emergency animal concern at [location]. The issue is [welfare concern / barking dog / dog at large / aggressive stray / wildlife exposure]. Should I use LEx or call dispatch?”

Volunteering, foster, pet resources and community support

Loudoun County Animal Services offers more than adoption. Visitors may also look for foster opportunities, post-adoption support, educational programs, pet resources, dog licensing, shelter tours, and ways to help shelter animals.

Foster programAsk LCAS about current foster needs, training, supplies, and what types of animals need temporary care.
Volunteer helpUse official LCAS get-involved pages for current volunteer and support opportunities.
Pet resourcesCheck low-cost and support resources before surrendering a pet.
Home-to-HomeLCAS points surrendering owners toward Home-to-Home so pets may move directly into new homes when appropriate.

Loudoun Animal Shelter map and visitor planning

Loudoun County Animal Services is located at 42225 Adoption Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175. The shelter is approximately four miles from Route 7. Confirm current hours before driving, especially if you need adoption, surrender, reclaim, or enforcement help.

Before you leave home: bring ID, proof of ownership for reclaim, a secure carrier for cats, a collar and leash for dogs, a cage or carrier for small animals, landlord approval if needed, and enough time to complete paperwork before closing.

Official Loudoun County Animal Services links

Main Animal Services pageOpen official LCAS page
Adoption process and feesRead adoption process
Shelter hours and directionsHours and directions
Lost and found petsLost/found page
Official YouTubeLCAS YouTube channel

Common mistakes that slow Loudoun shelter visitors down

Arriving too late to adoptLCAS encourages adopters to arrive by 5:00 PM, and no new adoptions start after 5:30 PM.
Expecting a pet holdLCAS says adoptions are first-come, first-adopt and pets cannot be held or paid for before the adopter arrives.
Emailing an applicationApplications are accepted in person at the shelter, not by fax or email.
Waiting on a lost petCall, create a lost report, check found/stray pages, update the microchip, and visit if needed.
Trying to surrender without appointmentOwner surrender is appointment-only and limited to Loudoun residents age 18 or older.
Using online reporting for urgent dangerSome urgent complaint types must be handled by phone or emergency channels, not online.

Loudoun Animal Shelter FAQs

The main phone number for Loudoun County Animal Services is 703-777-0406.

Loudoun County Animal Services is located at 42225 Adoption Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175.

Adoption hours are listed as 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Sunday. Visitors may walk through kennels until 6:00 PM, but no new adoptions start after 5:30 PM.

Fees vary by pet type. Examples include kittens under 7 months at $150, adult cats at $55, puppies under 1 year at $175, dogs 1 to 9 years at $150, senior dogs over 9 years at $100, rabbits at $25, and small pets such as hamsters or rats at $5.

LCAS states that adoptions are on a first-come, first-adopt basis and that it cannot take holds or payments for pets before the adopter arrives and completes the required steps.

No. LCAS states that adoption applications are accepted in person at the shelter and cannot be accepted by fax or email.

Call 703-777-0406 to create a lost report, check official found/stray pet pages, update your microchip information, search nearby areas, and visit the shelter if needed.

Call 703-777-0406 to file a report, email a photo if requested, talk to neighbors, post signs within a two-mile radius, and have the pet scanned for a microchip.

Only Loudoun residents may surrender a pet to LCAS, pet owners must be 18 or older, and an appointment is required. Complete the official surrender steps before bringing a pet.

Many non-emergency complaints can be submitted through Loudoun Express Request. Urgent issues, sick or injured wildlife, wildlife exposures, current aggressive stray complaints, and emergency animal welfare issues should be reported by phone.

The shelter hours page lists emergency assistance outside normal hours through the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-0445. The report-a-concern page lists 703-777-1021 for emergency complaints after hours. Use 911 for immediate danger.

No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent directory guide. The official Loudoun County Animal Services pages are hosted on loudoun.gov.

USA-wide shelter helper • adoption, lost pets, found pets, surrender and animal control

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.

Lost Pet PlanSearch, microchip, shelter checks, flyers
Found Pet HelpSafety, scanning, reporting, holding
Adoption PlannerReadiness, questions, supplies, budget
Visit ChecklistDocuments, call script, official links

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.

Important: Shelter rules vary by city, county, agency, and animal type. Always confirm hours, intake rules, fees, appointment requirements, and proof-of-ownership rules with the official shelter or animal control agency before visiting.

Lost pet recovery checklist

Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.

0% completed

Found pet safety decision helper

Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.

Safety first: Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped, or traffic-endangered animal if doing so could put you or others at risk. Contact animal control, emergency services, or a qualified professional when needed.

Adoption readiness checker

This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.

0% readiness signals checked

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.

Helpful reminder: Ask the shelter about pet food pantries, low-cost vet care, behavior support, temporary foster options, and safe rehoming resources before making a final decision.

Animal control contact decision helper

Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.

Emergency warning: If there is immediate danger to a person, a serious bite, traffic hazard, or active attack, contact local emergency services or animal control according to local rules.

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.

USA-wide Shelter user intent Official-source focused

Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.