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COLONIAL HEIGHTS POLICE
ANIMAL CONTROL DIVISION

Colonial Heights Animal Shelter Rabies Clinic - 2/20/10

General Information
Items_Accepted_as_Donations
Adopting a Pet

License_Information
Number of Animals per Residence Limited
Leash Law
Impounded Animals
Animal Control Activity Statistics

General Information

The Colonial Heights Animal Control Office/Shelter is located at 301 Charles Dimmock Parkway.  The mailing address is Colonial Heights Animal Control - P.O. Box 3401 Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.  The Animal Shelter is open Monday - Friday 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. The shelter is closed on Sundays and holidays.

The Animal Control Division, supervised by the Operations Bureau Commander, is tasked with the enforcement of city ordinances, and state laws relating to the control and protection of animals. Two full-time Animal Control Officers, and a part-time Shelter Aide operate and maintain the shelter in accordance with state laws. 

Animal Control Officers are responsible for vicious, and rabid animals, placing officers in threat of injury or harm on a regular basis. Animal Control Officers attend in-service training which provides updates on laws, procedures and techniques. 

Animal Control holds a variety of public educational events, in partnership with the S.P.C.A. and local businesses.  Rabies clinics are held at the Animal Shelter to provide reduced cost vaccinations to dogs and cats. 

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Petersburg and Colonial Heights continues to assist the shelter, and its staff providing food, medical supplies, veterinary care, and volunteer help.  

The Colonial Heights Animal Control and the Petersburg / Colonial Heights S.P.C.A.  teamed up this year to raise money for shelter animals. On May 9th and 10th 2009, a raffle was held at the 34th annual Fort Clifton Festival. The raffle prizes and refreshments were donated by local businesses which allowed 100% of donations  to go to the S.P.C.A.  The event was very successful, raising a total of $518.00.  We would like to thank all of the wonderful people and pets who came out and helped support shelter animals. S.P.C.A volunteers were also onsite providing discount spay and neuter certificates.  We were happy to see that many PETS brought their PEOPLE to the festival to visit the S.P.C.A. booth. We had one special visit from Rufus Sheffield. Rufus is a beautiful white Pekingese that was turned into the shelter, and later adopted by Mrs. Carolyn Sheffield.  We would like to thank Rufus and his family for their donation.

The Colonial Heights Animal Control and the S.P.C.A. would like to thank all of our sponsors who helped make this event possible. And a special thanks to Ms. Nancy Graham who started the ball rolling with this event and volunteered her time and efforts to make this possible. 

Event donations were received from:

  • Hardee’s

  • Petsmart

  • The Avenue Hair Salon

  • Arby’s

  • Papa Johns Pizza

  • Southpark Cinemas

  • Home Depot

  • Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant

  • Colonial Heights Veterinary Hospital

  • The Gardeners Gate

  • Betsie Whealton

 

Items Accepted as Donations to the Shelter

The animal shelter welcomes donated items to help support our shelter.  We accept:
  • gently used towels
  • blankets
  • newspaper
  • rubber dog toys
  • unopened bags of cat and dog food
  • canned dog and cat food
  • plastic balls/toys for cats.

We do not accept cloth toys because they are unable to be disinfected.

 

Adopting a Pet

Click here for the Pets of the Week!

Dogs and cats are available for adoption at the shelter. Each animal is wormed and given its first shot. A free medical exam certificate is given out with each adopted animal. 

There is a $10.00 non-refundable adoption fee. State law requires that anyone adopting a shelter animal must have it sterilized. All forms needed to verify sterilization are available at the shelter. The local SPCA will provide you with a low cost sterilization certificate when you adopt your pet. 

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License Information

Any dog or cat four months of age must have a city license. The license consists of a receipt and metal tag. The tag is marked Colonial Heights with a serial number and year in which the tag was issued. Tags should be fastened securely to a collar worn by the dog or cat. 

Anyone who brings a dog or cat into the city must have it licensed within 30 days. Colonial Heights residents may obtain a license from the Treasurer's Office located at City Hall (201 James Avenue). You must furnish a certificate of rabies vaccination for each animal. No tag will be issued without proof the animal has been vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Rabies certificates and city license should be made available upon request for inspection by Animal Control. 

The license fee is due annually by February 1st of each year. The fees are:

  • Male and Female dog - $10.00   (plus 25% late fee after February 1)

  • Male and Female cat - $10.00    (plus 25% late fee after February 1)

  • Unsexed Dog or Cat - $ 2.00     (plus 25% late fee after February 1)

  • Kennel License - $50.00

Number of Animals per Residence Limited 

Ownership of more than four dogs and cats combined is prohibited in Colonial Heights. A special permit from City Council is required to keep more than four animals. 

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Leash Law 

It is unlawful for an owner or custodian to permit his/her dog to run at large with in the city. Any dog found running at large will be seized and impounded at the animal shelter. 

Impounded Animals 

An impounded animal may be released to its owner upon payment of impoundment fees. Verification of rabies and city tags are also required. 

Animals impounded will be kept for 7 days.  If an animal has not been claimed during the holding period, it may be eligible for adoption. 

The impoundment fee is $15.00 for the first day of confinement and $6.00 for each day after.

Animal Control Activity Statistics
 

 

2005

2006

2007 2008
Animal Complaints 3403 2741 2938 2616

Impounded Animals

667

632

537 496

Animal Bites

26

47

38 19

Wildlife Complaints

184

145

192 146

Summonses Issued

46

36

27 36

Animals Adopted

297

302

243 261

Returned to Owner

201

174

138 169

For more information on Animal Control and Shelter issues, contact: 

Colonial Heights Animal Control
P.O. Box 3401
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Phone: 804-520-9397
Email:  acch@rcn.com

 

 
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