Spotsylvania County Animal Shelter
450 Tv Drive,
Fredericksburg,
VA, 22408

Phone: 540-507-7459
E-mail: animal@spotsylvania.va.us

Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: Viewing/Adoption 12pm-4pm, Lobby cats 8am-4:30pm. Call 540-507-7459 to schedule an appointment for adoption, visitation, redemption, or surrender.
Closed Sunday, Monday and Holidays

The pet in the photo (top right) is looking for a home. Click on the picture for more information about it.

Who we are
The Spotsylvania Animal Shelter is a county shelter operated Spotsylvania County Animal Control under the requirements of the Code of the Virginia. Animals are held in accordance with state requirements, and are redeemed by the owner, adopted, or euthanized. Our shelter has been on a NO KILL Mission since September of 2013. The shelter also houses a low cost spay/neuter clinic, which is operated by Lionhearts Inc, a local humane organization. All dogs and cats adopted from the shelter are sterilized within 30 days from the date of adoption, with the exception of puppies and kittens that are too young.

Volunteering
Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office Animal Control recognizes the importance of volunteers who are dedicated to the care and placement of unwanted animals within the community. Participation in the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Division's Volunteer Program supports the Division's efforts in the safe and efficient operation of the Animal Shelter with the ultimate goal of humane treatment and care for animals. To accomplish this goal, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Division is committed to effectively utilizing properly trained volunteer resources to supplement their well trained and experienced staff.

Lost your dog or cat?
Stray dogs without identification are kept for 5 days so that the owner can claim it before we put the dog up for adoption or rescue. Dogs with identication are kept for 10 days before we put the dog up for adoption/rescue. Contact the shelter to check whether your pet is there. Some of the stray dogs are featured on the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter Facebook Page but not all are put here so contact the shelter if you have lost your dog.

How can you make sure your lost pet is found again - Follow the tips below:

1. The very day your pet goes missing, call your local animal shelter and leave a description of your pet. Better yet, take by a flyer with their picture. Check the shelter with your own eyes. Your blue may be my black. Once the stray hold has expired and the animal has found a new home, chances are slim of you ever getting your pet back.
2. Microchip your pet! It works like a licence tag on a car. Every pet that comes into the shelter is checked for a microchip. Please keep your contact information up to date (phone numbers, address, e-mail address).

3. Keep tags on your pet at all times. County/City Rabies tags must be kept on pets collars at all times. We can use these to get your pet home.
4. Post your missing pet on social media. Every day, pets find their way home without even coming to the shelter. Post them on the Lost And Found Pets Spotsylvania Area Facebook Page.
5. Never take the collar off of your dog. It seems that most pets run off on the rare occasion that the owner takes their collar with ID off.


6. Finally: Check back at the shelter for the weeks following your pets disappearance. We have had dogs reclaimed that had been missing for a year!

Adopting a dog?
Virginia law says that we have to keep a dog for 5 days so that the owner can claim it before we can put the dog up for adoption. If you are interested in a particular dog before its available date please contact us. We would like a dog to go to a new home or rescue as soon as possible after its 'available' date.

For animals that have not been spayed or neutered: adoptions are open to residents of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, Hanover, Louisa, Orange, Culpeper Counties. If an animal is already spayed or neutered then it is available to be adopted by anyone (even out of state residents). Phone to check that the dog is available and what paperwork is required from you.

Make sure that you are able to take your dog home on the day you adopt it. We will not keep a dog for you after its "available" day.

Our Adoption fee for dogs is $85 and for cats is $55, other companion animals: $20. Dog/cat adoption fee includes some vaccines and spay/neuter surgery. Virginia law requires that a sterilization agreement be signed. This agreement states that you will have the adopted animal sterilized within 30 days of leaving the shelter or by 6 months of age. If you do not live in a surrounding county, the dog or cat will have to be sterilized before it leaves our facility.

• Dogs can be adopted out of state with the proper identification required (see below), unless they have not been spayed/neutered, in which case they are restricted to residents of Spotsylvania and adjacent counties (Stafford, Caroline, Hanover, Louisa, Orange, Culpeper County).
• To adopt a dog you must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must provide a picture ID with a current address at the time of the adoption.
• Each pet is required to be vaccinated for rabies within seven days of adoption, if it is four months of age or older. Rabies vaccination is required for each pet, upon turning four months of age.
• Every new owner of a pet adopted from Spotsylvania County Animal Shelter shall have the pet sterilized within thirty days of the pet turning six months of age, or within thirty days if the pet is over six months of age.
• Out of state adoptions must be spayed or neutered before leaving Virginia.
• Return of the proper paperwork (sterilization and rabies certificates) is required within seven days of sterilization.
• State law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated for rabies.

Find the right dog for you
When looking for that new family member please remember to really think about the things you and your family want and need in a pet that fits the family lifestyle. Get to know your breeds! Some breeds require more space, exercise and circumstances than others. Even if you are going to adopt a mixed breed, look into what it's primary breed needs in a home, environment and exercise. Your new family member needs to be wanted by everyone in the family and included in your daily lives to be truly happy. Click here for more information on how to find the right dog.

Please Donate to Help the Dogs
We need canned cat food, puppy potty pads, canned dog food, kitten chow (canned or hard), puppy chow (canned or hard), basic cleaning supplies, towels, blankets, and dog beds or you may mail a donation to Spotsylvania Animal Shelter, 450 Tv Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.
On behalf of the animals thank you.

No Squeeky Toys Please
Toys that make a noise when you squeeze them can encourage some dogs to be aggressive towards young children because they squeek too. The device that makes the noise is usually small and can be harmful if swallowed. Some toys of this type contain a small battery which is poisonous if the dog eats it. The best toys are tuggers, tennis balls and hard chew toys that cannot be ripped apart.

Changes to Dog Tethering Law From July 1, 2020, there are changes to dog tethering laws across the state of Virginia. The legislation expanded the definition of 'adequate shelter' for family dogs. It is illegal to leave tethered dogs outside when temperatures are below 32°F or above 85°F or when the weather service issues warnings for hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe weather. The legislation also increases the minimum length of a tether from 10 feet to 15 feet. Additionally, dogs must be provided adequate shelter during hot weather that is properly shaded and does not readily conduct heat. During cold weather, the shelter must have a windbreak at its entrance and provide bedding material (such as straw, cedar shavings, or similar) that is sufficient to protect the animal from cold and promote the retention of body heat. Adequate Shelter Virgina Code 3.2-6500 Click here for more information

Cats Needing Homes
Please take the time to check out all the nice young kittens and cats kittens and cats here. Please contact us for more information about the cats available for adoption.

Visiting Spotsylvania County Animal Shelter
Please phone us on 540-507-7459 to check that the dog you want to visit is still available.

Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: Viewing/Adoption 12pm-4pm, Lobby cats 8am-4:30pm. Call 540-507-7459 to schedule an appointment for adoption, visitation, redemption, or surrender.
Closed Sunday, Monday and Holidays

Location Map of Fredericksburg, VA