Animal Services

The Animal Services Bureau is a function of the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety and is overseen by the Prevention and Community Safety Division. York County Animal Control Officers work in conjunction with our citizens, businesses, and visitors to educate and protect health, welfare, and life safety, while enhancing the quality of life for both our human customers and animals/wildlife in the County. It does this by enforcing the protection laws and ordinances of the Commonwealth of Virginia and York County Animal Control.

Animal Control Officers are required to respond to domestic animal related incidents. Additionally, depending on the circumstances, and even though the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is responsible for wild animal situations, Animal Control Officers may respond to wildlife incidents only when the animal is reported to be sick, injured, or when there is a question of immediate safety for citizens. 

Animal Services Incidents:

If you need immediate assistance from our Animal Control Officers, please call 757-890-3601 at any time day or night. We are happy to help you. 

Animal Services Incident Reports:

To learn how you can receive information from and/or a copy of a York County Animal Services Bureau Incident Report, you must contact the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety. Make this request by calling 757-890-3600, Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), except holidays.

Other responsibilities:

  • Respond to requests to control domestic, wild, and companion animals posing a direct threat to the health, safety and welfare of County residents and visitors.
  • Promote the humane treatment of animals, and the prevention of cruelty and harassment.
  • Check and verify current animal licenses and rabies certificates.
  • Conduct investigations and issue summons or warrants, when applicable, for violations of state and local animal control laws and ordinances.
  • Collect unlicensed, stray, ill, injured, or dangerous animals and take appropriate action which may involve transporting them to a humane shelter or veterinarian, as appropriate.
  • Educate the public on the health/welfare, life safety of the public and animals, obligations of animal ownership, and other issues involving animals.

Helpful Tidbits Flyer from Animal Services


Rabies and Animal Bites Brochure

View All
Homepage