Stray, Lost, Sick

Where do animal control officers take the animals they pick up

Animal Control Officers pick up stray, roaming, sick or injured animals. They are impounded at the Shelter located at 2100 S Military Highway. Stray animals are held for a minimum of five days, not including the date of pick up.

Animals with collars or other identification are held an additional five days. After the holding period, any animal not claimed by the owner may be offered for adoption, transferred to another shelter or euthanized (put to sleep).

Animals are held and cared for as long as possible based on age, health, condition, temperament, and space at the shelter. A critically ill or injured animal may be euthanized at any time to prevent its suffering.

If you have found a stray and need an Animal Control Officer to respond to pick up the animal, please call the Chesapeake Police Department's Non-Emergency line at 757-382-6161 and a dispatcher will put a call on for an ACO to respond.

Find current strays in custody.

Redemption Fees

  • $25 for the first day for any dog or cat that is over 6 months old that is not bearing valid Id and is not sterilized. Burden of proof that females are sterilized shall be on the owner redeeming.
  • $25 for the first day for any dog or cat under 6 months old that is not bearing valid Id.
  • $15 for the first day for any other companion animal, or for any unsterilized dog or cat under 6 months old that IS bearing valid Id.
  • $15 for the first day for any sterilized dog or cat over 6 months old that IS bearing valid Id.
  • $11 per day each additional day or part thereof.

Note: Owners of a dog or cat impounded for a second time within a 12 month period will be charged an additional fee of $50. Owners of a dog or cat impounded for a third or greater time in a 12 month period will be charged an additional fee of $100.

Valid ID Definition From the Code

A collar or harness and a legible city license tag for the current year registered to the current owner at the current address; a valid, legible rabies tag registered to the current owner at the current address; a legible personal identification tag, which bears valid and current owner information including address and/or telephone number. Any such dog or cat on which the owner or custodian is unable to maintain a collar or harness and valid Identification within thirty days from the date that such dog or cat was acquired and/or thirty days from the date that the owner or custodian establishes residency in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, shall have caused the animal to be implanted with permanent microchip identification, the registration for which shall include valid and current owner information and address.

  • Animals are held for a minimum of five days, not including the date of pick up, in order to give owners time to find them. Animals with collars or other identification are held an additional five days.
  • After the holding period, any animal not claimed by the owner becomes the property of the City. It may then be offered for adoption, transferred to another shelter or euthanized (put to sleep).
  • The Chesapeake Animal Services takes every precaution to ensure that impounded or lost pets are returned to their rightful owner. For this reason, owners claiming and redeeming their pets should bring proof of ownership such as photographs, veterinary records, or rabies and license receipts.

For further information call the Chesapeake Animal Services Unit at 757-382-8080.

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