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Animal Care & Control

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1. How do I purchase a dog license?

The Commonwealth of Virginia requires Loudoun County to require all dogs four months of age and older to be licensed. In Loudoun County, dog licenses are issued to run concurrently with the rabies vaccination effective period for each individual dog. The county will also issue permanent tags to remain with the dog for its lifetime (replacement tags are available if needed). All dogs must have a license tag securely attached to a collar and worn whenever the dog is off of the owner’s property. Citizens have the option to purchase dog licenses for one-, two-, or three-year periods provided that the rabies certificate is valid for the period of time being covered. The cost is $10 per dog per year, regardless of spay / neuter status. Dog licenses may be purchased at the Animal Shelter, the Treasurer's offices in Leesburg and Sterling, or by mail. For more information on dog licensing, contact Animal Services at 703-777-0406 ext. 2873 or via email at animals@loudoun.gov.

2. When can I view animals for adoption?

The Animal Shelter is open for adoption and viewing during the following hours:

• Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm
• Monday and Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm
• Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm

Animals available for adoption can also be viewed on Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the Mobile Adoption Vehicle at the Unleashed by PETCO in the Cascades Marketplace in Sterling. For more information contact Animal Services at 703-777-0406 or via email at animals@loudoun.gov.

3. I or my pet had contact with a potentially rabid animal. What do I do?

All animal bites and any animals suspected of having rabies should be reported to the Loudoun County Health Department or the Department of Animal Services. The Health Department is responsible for confining domestic animals that bite people or expose them to rabies, and for testing animals that are potentially rabid and have exposed humans and/or their pets. Rabies vaccinations for humans who must be protected against rabies, such as veterinary staff, or who have been potentially exposed to rabies are available at the Health Department and are available to all income brackets. The Department of Animal Services urges all cat and dog owners to have their pets properly vaccinated in accordance with state law. Call the Health Department at 703-777-0234 or the Department of Animal Services at 703-777-0406 to report animal bites, or to report contact between a human or pet with a potentially rabid animal.