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1. Is Loudoun County Animal Services a "No-Kill" organization?

We are very fortunate to be in a current position where we do not have a limit on the amount of time that an animal can stay at Loudoun County Animal Services. For more than four years, over 92% of the animals that have come to Loudoun County Animal Services have left the shelter alive through adoption, transfer, or being reunited with their owners after being lost. Only animals who have been found to be suffering or dangerous have been euthanized. 

However, as an agency, we have made the decision not to use the divisive and misleading term, “no-kill.” There is no legal definition for the term, and euthanasia of animals in shelters is a community issue, not just a shelter issue. The people who work hard to save the lives of animals in shelters in neighboring communities are not killers, and we want to do our best to build each other up, rather than break one another down. 

As a part of our commitment to saving lives while improving animal welfare and public safety, we often partner with shelters in areas with less resources to help them train staff and transfer in pets in need, while sending their facilities our extra donations of food and bedding. Animal shelters and rescues must not only focus on positive outcomes for pets in their care, but also commit to providing comprehensive attention to the mental and physical needs of the animals who stay in their facilities, and Loudoun County Animal Services is proud to make mental enrichment a priority for our pets. 

The staff and volunteers at Loudoun County Animal Services uphold a strong commitment to professionalism and respect towards our colleagues, citizens and partners in other jurisdictions, and, will continue to focus on progressive and inclusive animal welfare initiatives and law enforcement, while avoiding the use of critical and undefined terms like “no kill.”

2. 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 through the use of this form (PDF). For more information on dog licensing, contact Animal Services at 703-777-0406 ext. 2873 or via email.

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 in Loudoun County and can be facilitated by the Health Department. 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.

4. What do I do if I am bitten/my dog bites someone?

Please call Loudoun County Animal Services at 703-777-0406 to file a report. The process is simple and our dispatches can assist your quickly. If the bite is severe, the dog is un-vaccinated, or you do not know if the dog is vaccinated, please seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

5. I found a stray pet in Loudoun County. What should I do?

Please contact Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) at 703-777-0406 to create a Stray Pet Report. You can also email a picture of the pet for inclusion on the found pet page. If you are unable to keep the pet while an owner is located, please bring it to the LCAS animal shelter during business hours.

6. I found a stray pet outside of Loudoun County. Can I bring it to LCAS?

If you are a Loudoun resident who has found a lost pet outside the boundaries of Loudoun County then it is best to take the pet to the nearest shelter, rescue, or local veterinary office to see if they can house the pet until an owner is located. Please only bring a stray pet found outside the boundaries of Loudoun County to the Animal Services shelter as a last resort.

Most strays have loving families who are searching for them. The further a pet is taken from where it is found, the less likely they are to be reunited with their family. Since one of every three pets will become lost in their lifetime, losing a pet can happen to even the most diligent pet parent. In the past, well-meaning citizens have brought pets from multiple states away to Loudoun County Animal Services. While we were able to find their owners, it required a lot of time and often great expense to get these pets home to their families.

7. When can I adopt a pet?

Adopters have two opportunities to meet available pets. The first is at the Loudoun County Animal Services animal shelter during adoption hours. Additionally, LCAS has an adoption bus that transports pets to convenient locations across the county. The adoption bus schedule is available online. 

8. Is there a leash law in Loudoun County?

All dogs are required to be leashed unless they are on the owner’s property, are in a designated space (fenced dog park) or while lawfully hunting, participating in a formal obedience training class or if the dog is a service animal who is otherwise under the handler’s control. For more information about Loudoun’s animal related laws, please refer to the Loudoun County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 612.13 under Running At Large. 

9. Can I make an anonymous report?

Yes. You can make an anonymous report online or by calling 703-777-0406.

If it is outside normal hours of operation, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021 and they will connect you with an on-call Animal Control Officer.

10. Does Loudoun County Animal Services respond to wildlife concerns?

Loudoun County Animal Services team of Animal Control Officers will respond to calls regarding injured or sick wildlife. Since wildlife are not legally allowed to reside at the LCAS animal shelter, the department works closely with Blue Ridge Wildlife Center when injured or sick wildlife are considered candidates for rehabilitation. Members of the LCAS Dispatch Team are also available to assist you in finding ways to prevent nuisance wildlife by phone, 703-777-0406, and email. 

Please visit the department’s Wildlife Services page for more information on our commitment to helping people and wildlife live together in Loudoun County.  Additionally, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is an excellent resource for wildlife concerns and information. 

11. Does Loudoun County Animal Services pick up dead animals?

If a dead animal is on or next to a public roadway, please submit a work request to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Homeowners are responsible for deceased animals located in their yard.