The Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center seeks motivated volunteers to help shelter animals find new homes. Individuals must complete a ​volunteer application, meet the city’s volunteer requirements and submit to a criminal background check. Volunteers must have a clean criminal record, including not being charged or convicted of an animal-related crime.Â
Volunteers are needed to exercise and walk dogs in the kennel, spend time with and comfort cats, participate in public adoption events, and photograph animals.
Learn About Volunteer OpportunitiesPet Information
City law requires that owners of dogs and cats four months or older obtain a license for the animal. Virginia Beach residents may purchase a one-year, two-year, or three-year license by applying (in writing or in person) with the City Treasurer or an appointed agent by paying the license tax and providing evidence of vaccination.
Dog or Cat That has not Been Spayed/Neutered
- 1 Year - $10
- 2 Year - $20
- 3 Year - $30
Spayed/Neutered Dog
- 1 Year - $7
- 2 Year - $14
- 3 Year - $21
Spayed/Neutered Cat
- 1 Year - $5
- 2 Year - $10
- 3 Year - $15
PetData Inc. operates the animal licensing program for the Virginia Beach Treasurer's Office. Licenses may be obtained online, at any one of four Treasurer’s locations, and at participating veterinary offices or private agents city-wide. For additional information, call PetData toll-free at (866) 923-1796 or email VBAnimalTag@petdata.com.
Residents interested in adopting an animal are encouraged to visit the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center located at 341 S. Birdneck Road.
​If your pet is missing, call the shelter at 757-385-4444 and select "Option #2." In most cases, verbal descriptions are unreliable. Animal Control recommends that you visit the shelter in person if you believe your pet may be in their custody.Â
More information is available on the Virginia Beach Care & Adoption Center website. The best way to ensure the safe return of your lost pet is to have a city license on the animal. In most cases, animals wearing tags can be returned to the owner rather than being impounded.​
-
Report a Problem Accessible Resources Animals & Pets Adoptions, Shelters & Licensing Animal Control Dog Friendly Parks & Beaches Rabid Animals​ Courts & Jury Duty Elections & Voting Register to Vote Emergency Preparedness Before Make a Plan Make a Kit Protect Your Property Prepare Your Pets for Disasters Know Your Hazards During Evacuating Evacuation Centers After Stay Informed VBAlert VBCERT Homes & Neighborhoods Neighborhood Associations Property Search Housing & Homelessness Launch Virginia Beach Considering a Business Create a Business Plan Choose a Business Structure Finance Your Business Regulatory Requirements Hiring Your Workforce Starting a Business Steps to Launching a Business Registering a Business Choosing a Location Businesses Near Oceana Expanding Your Business Doing Business With the City Government Contracting Opportunities Small Business Resources Documents & Forms FAQs Glossary of Terms Incentives Managing Your Workforce SWaM Training Sessions The HIVE's Workshops Tax Rates & Deadlines Closing Your Business The HIVE - Business Resource Center Learning Colleges, Universities & Trade Schools Public Library Public Schools Virginia Beach GrowSmart LGBTQ+ Community Resources Leadership & Legislation LGBTQ Employment Public Safety Liaisons Map Center Center for GIS Outdoor Event Permits Parking Property, Permits & Zoning Public Safety Emergency Communications & Citizen Services Emergency Medical Services Fire Department Police Department Sheriff's Office Transit and Transportation Bike, Walk & Roll Transit Road Closures & Impacts Trash & Recycling Trash Collection Recycling Collection Landfill & Drop-off Services Bulky Item & Yard Waste Collection Water & Sewer