What is the Chesapeake Animal Control Unit?

Chesapeake Animal Control Unit (CACU) is the animal control agency for Chesapeake. Chesapeake Animal Control Unit operates under the umbrella of the Chesapeake Police Department and is staffed by 11 officers, one supervisor and one coordinator. Chesapeake Animal Control Officers have the authority to enforce the State and City codes pertaining to animals and their ownership. Animal Control Officers also have the authority to issue summonses for violations, to secure warrants and to seize animals.

Animal Control Officers are on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 7 days per week, answering complaints such as cruelty, animal bites, license and vaccination checks as well as stray, nuisance, vicious, injured or sick animals. Two officers are assigned to an evening shift, and one of them is on call for emergencies only after the end of that shift, until 8 a.m. the next morning. Chesapeake Animal Control Unit does not pick up dead animals.

Owners must dispose of them or place a specific or general customer service request online at the Chesapeake Customer Contact Center or call (757) 382-CITY (382-2489) for stray, dead animals along roads.

For more information regarding the Chesapeake Animal Control Unit, the services we offer the citizens of Chesapeake and local animal control ordinances, please visit the official website for the City of Chesapeake, VA.

Pet Adoption at the Chesapeake Animal Control Unit

Adoption Forms Dog Adoption Cat Adoption

Chesapeake Animal Control Unit may adopt animals to any resident of Chesapeake or adjacent city. Persons who live out of state or who are residents of any city not adjacent to Chesapeake may only adopt animals which are already spayed or neutered. Eligible citizens should visit the shelter and make their selection.

"What Kind of Animals are Available?"

Some people erroneously assume that most animals are turned into shelters because they are "bad" or something is wrong with them.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Most animals arrive at shelters because owners lost them and don't look for them, or because owners did not realize what a responsibility owning a pet is, owners may be moving, families break up, or children are allergic, etc., etc. --All reasons that have nothing to do with what a wonderful pet the animal may be. Just look on our "Alumni Board" when you visit the shelter and see for yourself the wonderful animals that have found homes through our shelter.

Chesapeake Animal Control Adoption Process

Visiting and Adoption hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The shelter is closed Sundays, Wednesdays and holidays.

Some animals are lost, and by law must be held a certain number of days to give their owner time to find them. At the end of the holding period, they become the property of the City and may be adopted. Interested persons will be asked to complete an adoption application. Adopters must have lawfully required rabies vaccinations and city licenses on any pets they currently own before adopting a new pet. If the animal you like is not available yet, you may put a "First Choice" on that animal. That means we take your name, address and telephone number and file this information with that animal's paperwork. On the date the animal is available, you may come in to the shelter between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. BEFORE REGULAR ADOPTION HOURS to adopt the pet.

To adopt an animal, you must present valid identification showing your current residence. If you rent, you must provide verification that you are permitted to have a pet.
Persons convicted of cruelty, abuse or other serious animal ordinance violations may not adopt.
Chesapeake Animal Control Unit reserves the right to refuse adoptions not in the best interest of the animal or community.

You will be asked to sign an adoption contract promising to keep the animal only as a pet, to abide by the laws for the control and protection of animals, and to have the animal spayed or neuterd at the required time.

Chesapeake Animal Control Adoption Fees

The adoption fee for small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, small reptiles, livestock, etc. will be set administratively and depend on the type of animal. You will need to ask the shelter office staff about the particular animal you want. For dogs and cats, the adoption fee is $40.00.

All dogs and cats adopted must be spayed or neutered. The City of Chesapeake will refund $20 to the adopter after surgery is done. Although the Chesapeake Humane Society does not operate a shelter, they also assist our adopters with the cost of spaying and neutering. Once the surgery is done, Chesapeake Humane Society will send the adopter a rebate of $25.

Adopters may also elect to utilize the SNIP low-cost spay-neuter program operated by PETA. This mobile surgery unit is also available to the public for animals not obtained from a shelter. Call Chesapeake Humane Society at 757-490-HELP (4357) or PETA at 757-622-7382, ext. 7.

Chesapeake Animal Control Unit is committed to reducing pet overpopulation. Eight million American dogs and cats are destroyed each year simply because they are surplus. Our Shelter handles approximately 5,000 animals each year. Nearly 2,900 of them are euthanized because their owners do not claim them or no one adopts them. Spaying and neutering is the law for dogs and cats adopted from shelters.

What $40.00 Buys at Chesapeake Animal Control Unit

When you compare the value of adopting a pet from Chesapeake Animal Control Unit, we think that you will find you just can't do better than an adopted pet!

For your $40.00 you get:

Your pet's first vaccinations valued at a minimum of $25.00

A worming valued at $5.00

A heartworm or feline leukemia test in most cases valued at $25.00

Flea treatment and heartworm prevention valued at $20.00

A leash or cat carrier, coupons and samples valued at $5.00

For a total value of $80.00

If you use your own veterinarian for the spay neuter, you get a refund from us of $20.00. You also get a rebate from our local Humane Society of $25.00 If you choose the low-cost SNIP program, you will waive your rebates, but there will be no charge to you for routine surgery. We think this is the best deal in town. Better than any "Free to Good Home" pet. So, adopt from Chesapeake Animal Control Unit. Save a life and you will have the only love money CAN buy.

Proper Animal Care is the Law in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Under Virginia State Code, all pet owners are responsible for providing their companion animals with the following:

Under Virginia State Code, Title 3.2, Chapter 65-Comprehensive Animal Care, conviction for animal cruelty as well as other animal-related offenses can result in any or all of the following punishments:

Fines & court costs.

Restitution ordered for veterinary care and boarding expenses.

Community service and/or anger-management classes.

A jail sentence ranging from several days to several years.

Loss of animal which can result in it's being placed up for adoption or euthanized.

Animal ownership privileges suspended or revoked within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Chesapeake Animal Ordinances

The City of Chesapeake has enacted various ordinances which apply only within the city limits.

These ordinances have been enacted by City leaders to help address issues relating to public health, safety and quality of life issues to assure that all residents can enjoy their pets as well as preserving the peace for their neighbors.:

Dogs and cats must stay in their own yards unless accompanied by an owner or caretaker. Chesapeake §10-42

Dogs and cats, four months and older, must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Chesapeake §10-43

Dogs and cats four months and older are required to be licensed by the City Treasurer each calendar year. The cost is $10 for unspayed or unneutered dogs and cats and $4 for spayed or neutered dogs and cats. Chesapeake §10-62

Female dogs in season must be confined so as not to constitute a public nuisance. Chesapeake §10-46

Owners must clean up after pets which defecate on private or public property. Chesapeake §10-23

Dogs and cats that are outside and not in the immediate physical presence of their owner must wear identification. Chesapeake §10-66

It is unlawful to harbor stray animals longer than 14 days without having reported the animal to Chesapeake Animal Control Unit. Chesapeake §10-21

Owners are subject to summonses and possible fines for the above violations not to exceed $250 each.

Dogs which attack other animals or humans may be impounded until a court hearing. If found to be vicious or dangerous, the dog may be destroyed, removed or otherwise confined. Chesapeake §10-47

No owner shall allow his or her dog or cat to be a nuisance. A court may order these animals removed, destroyed or otherwise confined. Chesapeake §10-45

Dogs and cats which bite or scratch a human must be quarantined by an Animal Control Officer for a period of 10 days. These are confined on the owner's property under order of the Health Department as a rabies control measure. Failure to comply is a criminal offense. Chesapeake §10-47

Owners of exotic animals, including but not limited to monkeys, wolf hybrids, poisonous reptiles, certain non-poisonous reptiles, emus, and llamas must obtain a permit from CACU. The cost is $10 per year per household. Chesapeake §10-49

Volunteer to Help Chesapeake Animal Control Unit

You love animals. But, you either can't have a pet at this time of your life or you are "at your limit". You want to do something to help animals. Yes, you make donations, but you want to get involved.

Chesapeake Animal Control Unit has an ongoing need for volunteers at our shelter. Our adoptions have risen streadily over the years. We believe that this is due to our wonderful volunteers. You can be a part of our volunteer family. You can:

Become an ADOPTION COUNSELOR at the shelter. We have beautiful animals for adoption. We have wonderful families looking for that special pet. Our adoption counselors guide our visitors through the shelter, explain the adoption procedure, answer questions, and guide adopters through the process. By helping to match the right pet with the right family, they make everyone happy and save a life. The Chesapeake Animal Control Unit even does off-site adoptions at places such as PetsMart during their "Adopt-A-Thons".

Become a KENNEL ASSISTANT helping to clean, feed and care for animals. Animals need vaccinations, medications, brushing, bathing, walks and treats. That extra TLC goes a long way!

Become an OFFICE ASSOCIATE helping to answer telephones, taking calls for service, assisting citizens, checking lost and found, completing reports and forms, and assisting officers in the field via radio communications.

Become a VOLUNTEER DRIVER transporting animals to veterinary hospitals and groomers, picking up donations, making deliveries to laboratories, assisting citizens with traps, and more! Volunteer drivers drive a City vehicle and use the police radio, so they must have a good driving record.

Training for volunteers is provided by CACU staff and senior volunteers. Join our volunteer family and make a difference in a homeless animal's life. If not you, then who????? Call today for the date and time of the next new volunteer orientation.

Additional Ways to Volunteer

Friends of Chesapeake Animal Services is seeking volunteers to help with fundraising events, public education as well as other activities all aimed towards a common goal-helping the animals in Chesapeake Animal Control Unit find a new, forever home.

The Chesapeake Humane Society is always searching for volunteers to help with fundraising, public events such as "Bark in the Park" and the Chesapeake Jubilee as well as support for their spay/neuter clinic that helps Chesapeake residents obtain low-cost services for their pets.

Do You Own/Operate a Website?

Cut-n-Paste this code <SCRIPT src="http://fpm.petfinder.com/js/fpmstyle.js"></SCRIPT> <SCRIPT src="http://fpm.petfinder.com/fp/petfeed.cgi?lang=json&callback=fpm1&state=&shelter=va301&animal=&age=&ref=1YvPcdZm3xldh67"></SCRIPT>

If you own or operate a website, you can help the Chesapeake Animal Control Unit promote animal adoptions from our shelter by placing a PetFinder.com adoptable pet script in your webpage.

All you have to do is "cut-n-paste" the snippet of code on the right into your website and you can start helping homeless animals in Chesapeake today!

Each time a visitor to your site arrives, they will see a pet at the Chesapeake Animal Control Unit that needs a new, forever home-Who knows, you could help save a life!