The Office of Veterinary Services manages the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s animal care mandates.

The office regularly interacts with Virginia’s local governments on a wide range of animal-related issues. Office of Veterinary Services staff members oversee the agency’s emergency management plans, policies, procedures and training; conduct inspections of all Virginia public and private animal shelters; and manage the state’s Dangerous Dog Registry.

Animal Care

• Comprehensive Animal Care Laws
• Animal Custody Form (PDF)
• Animal Custody Records Summary Reports
• Dangerous Dog Registry
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Submit an Animal Care Complaint (PDF)
• Private Animal Shelter Inspection Application (PDF)
• Animal Care Civil Penalty Matrix (PDF)
• Pet Shop Registration (PDF)
• Animal Health Regulations
• Directive 79-1: Methods Prescribed or Approved for Animal Euthanasia (PDF)
• Humane Euthanasia Training Schedule (PDF)
• Humane Euthanasia Training Class Registration Form (PDF)
• Humane Euthanasia Training Class General Information (PDF)

Animal Control Officers

• Agricultural Animal Seizure Report (PDF)
• Animal Control Officer Training
  • Approved Training Courses (PDF)
  • Guidelines for the Approval of Additional Training (PDF)
  • Form AC-11: Animal Control Officer Training Request (PDF)
• Animal Control Officer Status Reporting: The reporting cycle for the Animal Control Officer Status Report Form is changing in 2026. New documentation will be posted online and sent to localities in the fourth quarter of 2026.
• Dangerous Dog Registry: Animal Control Officer Log-in
• Virginia Animal Control Officer Training Standards (PDF)
• Directive 83-1: Approved Capture Drugs and Drug Administering Equipment (PDF)

Contact

Office of Veterinary Services
804-692-4001
animalcare@vdacs.virginia.gov