Animal Control Officers enforce state and county animal laws, respond to emergencies, investigate crimes against animals and bite claims, and transport strays.
Contact & hours
- Hours
- 7 days a week, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Emergencies only, 6:00 PM – 6:00 AM.
- Phone
- 804-769-0999
- [email protected]
- Location
- 351 Courthouse Lane, King William, VA 23086
- P.O. Box 98, King William, VA 23086
Is a person in danger? Dial 911 first. Report any animal that may have rabies right away to the County Health Department at 804-769-4988 or to Animal Control.
Rabies prevention
All dogs and cats 4 months or older must be vaccinated against rabies. Animal Control holds a rabies clinic twice a year.
Next rabies clinic
October 24, 2026
Pre-registration is available online. Time and place are on the flier.
Dog licenses & kennels
- Every dog 4 months or older must be licensed every year.
- Buy the license from the County Treasurer's Office by February 1 each year.
- If a dog turns 4 months old, or comes into your possession, by November 1, you must pay the license fee for that calendar year.
- You need proof of a rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian to get a license.
- The dog must wear its license tag on a collar along with its rabies tag.
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual dog | $10 |
| Kennel (up to 20 dogs) | $35 |
You can buy a license at the Regional Animal Shelter, the King William Treasurer's Office, or Town Hall in West Point.
Lost & found pets
- Collared dogs picked up by an Animal Control Officer are held at the Regional Animal Shelter for 10 days, at the owner's expense.
- Dogs with no collar or ID are held for 5 days.
- If you find a companion animal and keep it, you must make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner and the animal shelter within 48 hours.
Lost a pet? Call both
Animal Control Office: 804-769-4963
Regional Animal Shelter: 804-769-4983
Regional Animal Shelter information
Leash law & nuisance animals
- No dog may run at large anywhere in the county. The exception is lawful hunting in open season while the owner or custodian is with the dog.
- An animal is a nuisance if it damages or destroys property, attacks or harasses people or animals, chases or impedes pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles, or is dangerous to public health or safety.
- Howling, barking, or other animal noise that continues for at least 30 consecutive minutes, with no pause longer than 5 minutes, violates county ordinance.
- A female dog in heat may not run at large.
Hunting with dogs
- Hunting dogs must wear a tag with the owner's name and a current phone number.
- Hunters may enter prohibited land to retrieve dogs but may not carry firearms or bows or hunt game there. Using a vehicle to retrieve dogs needs the landowner's or agent's permission.
- If hounds appear lost, you may collect them or call Animal Control. If the owner named on the collar does not respond, call Animal Control.
- Report hunting violations to the Virginia Wildlife Crime Line at 800-237-5712.
Hunter and landowner conflicts: see the Hunter & Landowner Committee.