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1. What do Animal Control Officers do?

Animal Control Officer duties include:
- Enforcement of State Laws and County Codes that pertain to domestic and agricultural animals
- Investigation of animal cruelty complaints
- Investigation of dog attacks or bites to humans and animals
- Responding to emergency calls involving sick or serious injured domestic and agricultural animals
- Removal of stray domestic and agricultural animals from residences, roadways, and other public areas
- Responding to calls to check the welfare of domestic and agricultural animals
- Responding to all other miscellaneous animal related calls

2. What are the hours of service for Animal Control?

Typical Animal Control hours of service:
- Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Emergency Calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- To contact Animal Control call 540-967-1234

3. Are Animal Control and the Animal Shelter the same thing?

No. Animal Control is a division of the Sheriff's Office, while the Animal Shelter is run by the County of Louisa under General Services. To contact the Louisa County Animal Shelter and to learn about their hours, work responsibilities and more visit the Animal Shelter page.

4. What kinds of things should I report and how do I make a report?

To make a report call the Louisa County Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch number at 540-967-1234. Types of report-including but not limited to:
- Dog bites
- Animal cruelty or neglect
- Sick or injured domestic and agricultural animals
- Human exposure and encounters with potentially rabid animals of any kind

5. What happens after an animal is picked up by an Animal Control Officer (ACO)?

- All animals picked up by an ACO are taken to the Louisa County Animal Shelter
- The animal is held for a holding period to try to locate the owner. If no owner is located during the holding period, all adoptable animals are then put up for adoption at the Animal Shelter or sent to rescue group to find them forever homes. For more information visit the Animal Shelter page.

6. What do I need to know about rabies in Louisa County?

- Rabies is a deadly disease, to both humans and animals.
- All dogs and cats over 4 months old must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian per State Code 3.2-6521.
- All mammals are susceptible to the virus, the most common carriers are bats, skunks, and raccoons.
- Between 2010 and 2013 the following animals tested positive: 1 dog, 5 raccoons, 1 cat, 3 skunks, and 1-deer.
- Minimize contact between pets and wildlife.
- Report all animal bites, animals acting strangely or altercations between wild and domestic animals to Animal Control at 540-967-1234.
- Learn more about this deadly virus through the
Virginia Department of Health website.

7. When should wildlife encounters be reported?

Louisa County Animal Control Officers will respond to the following wildlife encounters or emergencies:
- Wildlife in a home or business that poses a threat to humans or pets
- Encounters between humans or domestic animals that could result in rabies exposures
- When wildlife poses an immediate threat to humans or pets

8. What sorts of wildlife or domestic animal incidents should not be reported to Animal Control?

Louisa County Animal Control Officers do not respond to calls reporting wildlife nuisances or when wildlife poses no real threat to humans or pets, examples include:
- Wild animals living under decks, storage sheds, porches
- Wild animals living in populated areas
- Wild animals in attics, basements, garages and sheds
- Wildlife has damaged gardens, flower beds or shrubs

9. How can I best prepare to care for my pets in the event of an emergency?

Preparing to care for your pets in an emergency:
- The Louisa County Sheriff's Office and Animal Control Division encourages pet owners to be prepared
- Create a disaster kit for your pets
- View suggestions on what to include in your pet disaster preparedness kit through the
Virginia Department of Emergency Management site