Virginia Beach Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this Virginia Beach animal-help dashboard to adopt a pet, check VBACAC shelter hours, report a lost or found animal, reclaim a pet, understand impound fees, request animal control, license a dog or cat, or choose the right official link.
Verified source note: the dedicated shelter site lists Shelter: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.. Because older City content and holiday notices may show special schedules, call 757-385-4444 before a long drive, reclaim, surrender or holiday visit.
Official source checked
Last verified: August 30, 2026. This guide uses VBACAC, City Police Animal Services, City Treasurer licensing, Municode fee text and the official found-pet PDF.
Independent guide
Animal-Shelter.org is not the City of Virginia Beach, the Police Department, VBACAC, DocuPet or the Virginia Beach SPCA. Use official links for final live confirmation.
No fake doctor names
VBACAC adoption pages mention vaccinations, tests, sterilization, microchips and medical paperwork, but no public veterinarian schedule or doctor-name list is published in the checked sources.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Hours conflict note
- Hours and phone numbers
- Adoption micro-steps
- Adoption and reclaim fees
- Lost and found pets
- Finder-foster route
- Reclaim checklist
- Surrender and return support
- Dog/cat licenses
- Animal control calls
- Wildlife, bites and deceased pets
- Parking and arrival
- Call scripts
- Map
- Related Virginia guides
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Important Hours Note: Use the Current Shelter Site First
Virginia Beach animal pages have old and current references in search results. This section prevents a bad user experience caused by copied outdated hours.
Dedicated shelter site
The current VBACAC animal-shelter page header lists Shelter: 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Enforcement: 8 a.m.-10 p.m..
Older City blog content
An older City blog page describes the shelter as noon-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Because it is older, do not rely on it alone for weekend planning.
Best safe action
Call 757-385-4444 before visiting on weekends, holidays, severe-weather days, or when reclaiming or surrendering an animal.
Clickable Virginia Beach Animal Help Cards
Start with your task. Adoption, lost-pet reclaim, found-pet reporting, licensing and animal-control dispatch are different routes.
Virginia Beach Animal Shelter Hours and Phone Numbers
Use this table before driving. Reclaim, adoption, trap pickup and animal-control calls do not all work the same way.
| Need | Official detail | Phone / route | Best visitor action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter / adoption center | VBACAC header lists Shelter: 12 p.m.-5 p.m. | 757-385-4444 | Call before a long drive, holiday visit, specific-animal visit or reclaim. |
| Animal enforcement | VBACAC header lists Enforcement: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | 757-385-4444 Option #1 | Use dispatch for officer response; after-hours stand-by is for emergency calls. |
| Enforcement FAQ dispatch route | FAQ pages list 757-385-5000 for stray, injured, bite and some officer-response issues. | 757-385-5000 | If one official route is busy or unclear, call the other official route and explain the issue. |
| VBACAC lists vbpdac@vbgov.com. | vbpdac@vbgov.com | Email is not monitored 24/7; do not email emergencies. | |
| Trap pickup | FAQ says traps may be picked up Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; no trap pickup Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. | 757-385-4444 | Call first if a citizen-owned trap was taken by Animal Enforcement. |
Adoption Micro-Steps for Virginia Beach ACAC
The adoption page says questionnaires are handled first-come, first-served for legally available animals, and VBACAC may deny a specific placement if the animal’s needs do not match the home.
Check available animals first
Open the available dogs, cats or exotics list. Write down the animal name, ID, species and any medical or behavior notes.
Call if you want one specific animal
Listings can lag because animals may be adopted or reclaimed earlier the same day. Call before driving for one specific pet.
Submit the adoption questionnaire
Interested adopters submit an adoption questionnaire to shelter staff to start the process for a legally available animal.
Prepare for screening
Staff consider known characteristics, animal history, adopter capability, home environment and safety before final placement.
Ask medical questions
Dogs and cats receive vaccinations before adoption, dogs receive a heartworm test before surgery, cats receive FeLV/FIV testing before surgery, and medical/vaccination paperwork is provided.
Plan transport and first week
Bring a leash, collar, carrier or secure crate, and ask about microchip registration, food, exercise, decompression and follow-up care.
Adoption, Reclaim and Service Fees
Use this section for planning, then confirm the exact amount with staff because specials, waivers and payment plans may apply.
| Fee / cost | Official detail | What it means | Ask before visiting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard adoption fee | $20 per animal for cats and dogs. | The current adoption page says standard adoption fees are $20. | Ask if current promotions change the fee. |
| Reduced $1 categories | Homepage lists $1 for animals in care 6+ months, animals age 7+ years, and small companion animals. | Screening still applies; lower fee does not mean no adoption process. | Ask whether the animal you want qualifies that day. |
| Impound first 24 hours | $50 for the first 24-hour period. | Municode fee quoted on the lost/found page. | Fees may be waived if reclaimed within the first 24 hours and first impound in 12 months. |
| Additional impound care | $15 per day or part of day after first 24-hour period. | Daily care fee after the first impound period. | Reclaim quickly and ask for the current total. |
| Repeat impound additions | $50 for second impound; $100 for third and later within 12 months. | Additional fee for repeat impounds in a 12-month period. | License and microchip help reduce future risk. |
| Deceased pet pickup | $20 disposal service for residents when burial is not possible. | Listed in enforcement FAQ for deceased pet disposal. | Call 757-385-5000 for pickup or ask about bringing the pet during operating hours. |
| City license, unaltered dog/cat | $10 / $20 / $30 for 1-, 2- or 3-year license. | Requires vaccination evidence and license tax. | Use DocuPet, Treasurer’s Office locations or mail. |
| Spayed/neutered dog license | $7 / $14 / $21 for 1-, 2- or 3-year license. | Lower license fee for altered dogs. | Provide spay/neuter evidence if applicable. |
| Spayed/neutered cat license | $5 / $10 / $15 for 1-, 2- or 3-year license. | Lower license fee for altered cats. | Standard tag is available at no extra cost through DocuPet. |
Lost or Found Pet in Virginia Beach
The right route depends on whether the pet is missing, found, injured, trapped, already at the shelter, or still with a finder.
If your pet is lost
- Call VBACAC at 757-385-4444 during normal business hours.
- Check VBACAC lost/found and PawBoost listings.
- Post clear photos, cross streets, date lost and contact method on local lost/found pages.
- Update the microchip registration and keep your phone available.
- Visit or contact again after intake updates; new animals may not appear online immediately.
- Bring proof of ownership before reclaiming.
If you found a pet
- Check tags or collar and try contacting the owner.
- Take photos and post on local lost/found pages.
- Walk the animal near the found location and ask neighbors if they recognize it.
- Get the pet scanned for a microchip at a local vet, pet supply store or shelter route.
- Contact Virginia Beach Animal Services and file a found report.
- Do not privately rehome a found pet before the legal/shelter process is completed.
Finder-Foster Route: First 48 Hours and Stray Hold
VBACAC’s found-pet PDF gives a practical route for people who find a stray and can help with reunification.
First 48 hours
Try owner contact, photos, microchip scan, flyers, local posts and a found report with Virginia Beach Animal Services.
After official intake
The PDF says animals must be held at least 5 days if found without ID/microchip and 10 days if found with ID/microchip.
Finder-foster option
As the finder, you may have the option to foster the animal during the stray hold or relinquish the animal to the shelter.
Claiming Your Pet from VBACAC
If you see or suspect your pet is at the shelter, act quickly. Fees, hold periods and proof requirements matter.
Call first
Call 757-385-4444 during operating hours so staff can help confirm whether your pet is in shelter care.
Bring proof
Bring photo ID, photos of your pet, rabies certificate, license information, microchip number or vet records if available.
Ask for fee help
VBACAC says payment plans or waived reclaim fees may be possible, so do not avoid contacting the shelter because of cost fear.
Surrender, Return and Owner Support
VBACAC accepts Virginia Beach resident surrenders, but surrender should not be the first move if training, food, veterinary or temporary support could keep the pet safely at home.
Before surrendering
- Call 757-385-4444 and explain the situation.
- Ask about owner resources, microchip support, food help, training assistance or foster-style options.
- Be honest about bite history, behavior, medical needs, pregnancy and medication.
- Do not leave an animal unattended at the shelter.
If an adoption does not work
- The adoption page says to contact VBACAC during operating hours to schedule a surrender appointment if a shelter-adopted pet is not suitable.
- Bring medical/vaccination paperwork and the adoption information you received.
- Ask staff what details help the next placement.
- Do not rehome a pet with serious undisclosed behavior or medical issues.
Virginia Beach Dog and Cat Licensing
The City Treasurer handles animal licensing, and Virginia Beach uses DocuPet for online licensing and tag profiles.
| Licensing item | Official detail | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs a license | All dogs and cats over four months old must be licensed with the City of Virginia Beach. | License after vaccination evidence is available. |
| Documents | Application to the Treasurer or appointed agent plus vaccination evidence and spay/neuter evidence if applicable. | Have rabies and sterility proof before buying a multi-year license. |
| Where to license | Online through DocuPet, in person at Treasurer’s Office locations, or by mail. | Use DocuPet if you want a linked online profile and HomeSafe lost-pet service. |
| Service dogs | Eligible for a no-charge license with exemption application; comfort/emotional-support-only dogs do not qualify under ADA language. | Use the official service dog exemption form. |
| Kennels | 5-20 animals: $35; 21+ animals: $50; zoning and conditional-use approval are required first. | Do not treat a kennel license as automatic approval. |
Animal Control: What Officers Can Help With
The Animal Services Bureau is part of the Police Department and handles public safety, welfare, enforcement and animal-care calls.
Stray companion animals
Report stray dogs or cats to Animal Services. The FAQ says stray cats and dogs are required to be reported.
Cruelty and welfare
Animal Control officers respond to cruelty investigations and welfare-related concerns.
Bites and exposure
For animal bites or exposure to people or pets, call for an officer. A report may be taken for the Department of Public Health.
Injured animals
Animal Control responds to injured companion animals with no owner and injured or sick wildlife.
Ordinance issues
At-large pets, leash-law issues, defecation complaints and barking may require officer response or magistrate process depending on what is witnessed.
Inside-home limits
Officers cannot go into attics, under houses, climb ladders or disassemble structures, but may respond to visible loose animals inside a home for public safety.
Wildlife, Traps, Bites and Deceased Pets
Wildlife and trapped animals
- Injured or sick wildlife concerns may be dispatched to an Animal Control Officer.
- Healthy nuisance wildlife usually requires deterrence or a licensed private vendor.
- Officers generally cannot remove stray nuisance wildlife unless trapped.
- Citizen-owned traps held by Animal Services may be retained for up to 60 days.
Deceased pet disposal
- If burial is not possible, the City provides resident disposal service for a listed $20 fee.
- Call 757-385-5000 for pickup by Animal Control.
- You may also ask about bringing the pet to the Animal Care and Adoption Center during operational hours.
- Do not place remains where they create a public-health or traffic hazard.
Parking, Arrival and Visit Planning
The official pages verify the shelter address, but the checked text does not publish a dedicated public parking fee, visitor-space count or detailed accessible-parking inventory.
Use the verified address
Navigate to 341 S. Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Use live navigation for beach traffic, roadwork and events.
Arrive with buffer
Do not arrive at closing for adoption, reclaim or surrender questions. Staff may need time to verify records, animals and fees.
No fake parking claim
No parking fee or space count is invented here. Follow on-site signs and call ahead for accessibility or large-vehicle questions.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in adopting [animal name/ID]. Is the animal still available, and what should I bring today before visiting?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat/other] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal been picked up or reported found?Reclaim
Hi, I believe my pet is at VBACAC. What proof of ownership, records and fees should I bring for reclaim?Animal control
Hi, I need Animal Control assistance for [stray/injured/bite/welfare/wildlife] at [address]. Is this urgent, and should dispatch send an officer?Map: Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center
Use this map for the verified shelter address. Confirm live hours, animal availability and service-specific instructions before visiting.
Related Animal-Shelter.org Guides
These internal links are included because they help Virginia and nearby users compare shelter routes, animal-control numbers and adoption planning.
Official Virginia Beach Animal Links
The important details are summarized above. Use these links for live availability, exact forms, changing promotions, and final official confirmation.
Virginia Beach Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the official Virginia Beach animal shelter?
The official public shelter is the Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center at 341 S. Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
What is the Virginia Beach Animal Shelter phone number?
The main shelter phone number listed by VBACAC is 757-385-4444.
What are Virginia Beach Animal Shelter adoption hours?
The dedicated VBACAC shelter page lists Shelter: 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Because older City content and holiday notices may differ, call 757-385-4444 before visiting.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog or cat from VBACAC?
The current adoption page says standard adoption fees are $20 per animal for dogs and cats. Current $1 reduced-fee categories may apply to long-stay animals, senior animals and small companion animals.
What is included when adopting a dog or cat?
Dogs and cats receive vaccinations before adoption, microchip implantation, medical/vaccination paperwork and sterilization before possession unless a medical, age, size, capacity or surgery-schedule exception applies.
How long are stray animals held at VBACAC?
The adoption page says stray animals are held for a minimum of five days starting the first day after impoundment. Animals with a collar, microchip or known owner are held for ten days.
What should I do if I find a stray dog or cat in Virginia Beach?
Report stray cats and dogs to Animal Services. The found-pet PDF recommends checking tags, posting photos, scanning for a microchip, filing a found report and contacting Animal Services if reunited within 48 hours.
Who do I call for Virginia Beach Animal Control?
The City Police Animal Services page says to call 757-385-4444 and select Option #1 for an Animal Control Officer response. Enforcement FAQ pages also list 757-385-5000 for several officer-response issues.
Do Virginia Beach dogs and cats need a city license?
Yes. The City Treasurer page says all dogs and cats over four months old must be licensed with the City of Virginia Beach.
Does this page list a veterinarian or doctor schedule?
No. The checked official sources describe shelter medical care, testing, vaccinations and adoption paperwork, but they do not publish a public veterinarian name, clinic appointment schedule or doctor timing list for this article to reproduce.
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.