The Animal Control Officers enforce the laws that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and maintain a safe environment as related to animals. Officers enforce state and county laws regarding animals, respond to emergency situations, conduct investigations regarding crimes against animals and animal bite claims and transport stray animals.
Dog License Information Adoption Rabies Indian Rivers Humane Society Leash Law Low Cost Spay/Neuter Impoundment Disaster Preparedness for Animals Brochure (.pdf format) Lost Pets Contact Information
All dogs four months old or older in King William County must be licensed annually. These licenses must be purchased from the County Treasurer’s Office (769-4932) by February 1 of each year. If a dog shall become four months of age or come into the possession of any county resident by November 1 of any year, the owner must pay the license fee for the current calendar year. Dog licenses may not be issued by the Treasurer’s Office unless proof of vaccination by a licensed veterinarian is presented.
Licenses can be purchased at:
- Mail in Registration (in .pdf format)
- Aylett Animal Hospital
- King William Veterinary Clinic
- King William Treasurer’s Office
- Town Hall, West Point
Individual Dog $5 Kennel (up to 20 dogs) $25 Kennels (keeping of 5 or more dogs): Are only permitted in the A-C (Agriculture-Conservation) and the M (Industrial) districts. A distance of 200 feet is required from the kennel area to any property line.
Hunt Clubs: Are only allowed in the A-C district. Pens or kennels must be at least 200 feet away from any property line. Note: A hunt club may be in the R-R (Rural Residential) district but only after a Special Exception has been approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
The dog license consists of a license receipt and a metal license tag. Dogs must display the license tag on a collar, along with a rabies tag.
All dogs and cats four (4) months old or older in King William County must be inoculated or vaccinated against rabies. Any person having knowledge of the existence of an animal apparently inflicted with rabies should report the information immediately to the County Health Department at 769-4988 or contact the Animal Control Office.
The Animal Control Office is interested in sponsoring a Rabies Clinic in cooperation with local volunteer associations. Anyone who may be interested in assisting with such a clinic is encouraged to contact the Animal Control Office.
Sec. 3-46(b) of the County Code states that no dog may go upon “any public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way, or upon the property of another… unless it is kept secured by a leash or other means of restraint and under the control of a responsible person capable of physically restraining the dog” within the subdivisions listed below:
Aylett Farms
Beaver Creek
Cherry Hill
Corinth Heights
Edge Hill Farms
Fairfield
Indian Fields
King William Estates
Manquin Farms
Oak Springs
Reed Brothers
Rose Garden Estates
Rosewood
Spring Pleasants
Terra Alta
Timberland Estates
Venter Heights
Sec. 3-46(a) of the County Code states that “No dog shall be permitted to run at large in any part of the County from April 1 through May 31 of each year. All dogs shall be confined, restricted, or penned up during these months. For the purpose of this section, a dogs shall be deemed to be running at large while roaming, running, or self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner’s or custodian’s immediate control.”
The County has contracts with two local veterinarians to assist with the impoundment of dogs. When apprehended by an Animal Control Officer, collared dogs are impounded, at the owner’s expense, for 12 days or until claimed. Dogs without collars or identification are held for just 6 days or until claimed.
If a dog should become lost, notify the Animal Control Office 769-4963.
For more information about adoptions or lost pets, call the King William Veterinary Clinic at 769-3200 or the King William Animal Control Department at 769-4963.
Pet adoptions are held on Saturdays at the PetSmart located in the Target Shopping Center. For more information about dog adoptions call Holly at 769-0669. For information about cat adoptions, call Mary at 769-2145. Information about pet adoption if also available at http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/VA40.html. For general information about Indian Rivers Humane Society, contact Jeanne at 769-2981.
Indian Rivers Humane Society has a low cost spay/neuter program that is funded through its fundraising efforts. For information about a low cost spay/neuter, contact Jeanne at 769-2981.
Animal Resource Foundation (ARF), based in Gloucester, has opened a clinic whose purpose is to provide high quality, affordable spay/neuter surgeries to low-income pet owners, shelters, and rescue groups. Their goal is to significantly reduce the number of dogs and cats euthanized in our Humane Societies, Animal Control facilities, and SPCA’s and to create safer, healthier communities. For appointments and information, call: (804) 694-0FIX (0349) or (804) 694-0ARF (0273).
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 98
King William, VA 23086Phone: (804) 769-0492 (24 hours per day)
The Animal Control Department is located in the new Courts & Public Safety Building at 351 Courthouse Lane.
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 4:30.
