The mission of the Virginia Beach Animal Control Unit is to balance the health, safety and welfare needs of the people and animals in our City. Through our mission we 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.

The Animal Control Unit is comprised of two branches, enforcement and sheltering (Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center) Both are under the direction of the Commanding Officer of Special Operations. Each entity serves different functions, though partner to provide holistic animal services for the community. 

Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center is an open-admission public animal shelter.  We accept canines, felines, other companion animals, livestock, poultry, equine from the City of Virginia Beach including stray animals found at large within the City limits, owner surrendered animals where the owner resides in Virginia Beach and all animals picked up from Virginia Beach Animal Control.  No Virginia Beach companion animal is turned away regardless of health, temperament or behavior.  The Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center employs a socially concious sheltering philosphy.