The mission of the Virginia Beach Animal Enforcement Unit is to balance the health, safety and welfare needs of the people and animals in our City.
Through our mission, the Animal Enforcement Unit will educate the public about responsible companion animal ownership, aggressively investigate animal cruelty cases, provide compassion and humane care for unwanted, stray, abused, and abandoned animals in our city, give adoptable animals a second chance at a forever home, and humanely euthanize animals when necessary and appropriate.
To have an Animal Control Officer respond to a call for service, call dispatch at (757) 385-5000 . Animal Control Officers are on routine patrol from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., seven days a week. There is an officer on stand-by duty after hours to respond to emergency calls for service only.
When calls are received, a Communications Officer dispatches an Animal Control Officer to investigate complaints. If the officer sees a violation when they arrive, appropriate action will be taken. For all other non-emergency inquiries, please send an email to vbpdac@vbgov.com . *NOTE: This email box is not monitored 24/7.
The best way to prevent rabies is to make sure your animals are vaccinated. If you or someone you know is attacked by an animal, wounds should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water. Injured parties should then report to the hospital to check for rabies and other diseases. Report any bite/exposure to Animal Control at (757) 385-5000 .
Encounters with wild animals are common, due to the city's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, large rural areas, and the Great Dismal Swamp and Back Bay wildlife refuges. Fox, otter, snakes, seals, bats, deer, opossum, raccoons, and other wildlife, including a rare black bear, have been spotted within city limits. If you encounter a wild animal, it's best to simply leave it alone.
Visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for more information on licensed trappers and wildlife control specialists.
DWR website
