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1. What do I do if I find a dead animal?

Any dead animal that is found on private property becomes the responsibility of the property owner. Any dead animal that is found on a private road becomes the responsibility of the property owner or their Homeowners Association. If a dead animal is found to be on a roadway that is maintained by VDOT, it will be responsibility of VDOT to remove it. If a dead animal is found on a public roadway that is maintained by VDOT, contact the York County Emergency Dispatch Center at their non-emergency number (757) 890-3621.

2. What do I do if I am bitten by an animal?

Don't panic, but don’t ignore the bite, either. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water. Washing thoroughly will greatly lessen the chance of infection. Give first aid as you would for any wound. If possible, capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least identify it before it runs away. Don't try to pick the animal up. Call an animal control or law enforcement officer to come and get it.

If it’s a wild animal that must be killed, don’t damage the head. The brain will be needed to test for rabies. Don’t let anyone destroy wild animals at random just because there maybe a rabies outbreak in your area. Only a few wild animals will be carrying rabies.

It’s critically important that you notify your family doctor immediately after an animal bite. Your doctor can find out if the animal has been captured. If necessary, your doctor will give the anti-rabies treatment recommended by the United States Public Health Service. Your doctor will also treat you for other possible infections that could be caused from the bite. Report the bite to the Animal Control Bureau at 757-890-3621 and the local health department. In Williamsburg 757-253-4813 and all other areas on the Virginia lower Peninsula at 757-594-7340.

3. What do I do it my pet bites someone?

Tell the person bitten to see a doctor immediately. Report the bite to Animal Control at 757-890-3621 and the local health department. In Williamsburg, 757-253-4813 and all other areas on the Virginia lower Peninsula, 757-594-7340.

If your pet is a dog or cat, they will have you confine the animal and watch it closely for 10 days. Report any illness or unusual behavior to your local health department and veterinarian immediately. Don’t let the animal stray, and don’t give the animal away. It must be available for observation by public health authorities.

Don’t kill your pet or allow it to be killed unless you have been instructed to do so by the public health authorities or a veterinarian. Check with your veterinarian to find out if your pet has a current vaccination. After the recommended observation period, have your pet vaccinated for rabies if it does not have a current rabies vaccination.

4. What is rabies?

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain of rabid animals. It can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or brain tissue in a wound or in the mouth.

Only mammals get rabies: bird, fish, reptiles, and amphibians do not. Skunks, bats, foxes, raccoons, dogs, cats and some farm animals are most likely to get rabies. Rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice, and pets like gerbils and hamsters seldom get it.

Rabies can be prevented in cats, dogs, and some livestock with a rabies vaccination. For most wild and exotic animals, there are no rabies vaccines available that have been shown to protect them. A vaccine is available for ferrets, but because not enough is know about how rabies affects them, even vaccinated ferrets may still have to be killed and tested if they bite someone or get exposed to a rabid animal.

5. Can humans have rabies?

Because of improved rabies vaccination programs for pets and better treatment for people who are bitten, rabies cases among humans in this country are rare. The best way to prevent the spread of rabies to humans is by keeping pets properly vaccinated.

6. What can I do to help control rabies?

Have your veterinarian vaccinate your dogs, cats, and selected livestock. Keep the vaccinations up to date. If your pet is attacked or bitten by another animal, report it to the local health and animal control authorities. Be sure your vaccinated dog or cat receives a booster vaccination. If the animal that bit your pet shows signs of rabies or tests positive for rabies and your pet does not have a current rabies vaccination, then your pet must be placed in quarantine for 6 months or euthanized at your expense.

Limit the possibility of exposure by keeping your animals on your property. Don’t let pets roam free. Also, don’t leave garbage or pet food outside. It may attract wild or stray animals. Remember, wild animals should not be kept as pets. They are a potential rabies threat to their owners and to others. Enjoy all wild animals from a distance, even if they seem friendly. A rabid animal sometimes acts tame. If you see an animal acting strangely, report it to York County Animal Control by phone at 757-890-3601. Do not go near it yourself.

Source: Virginia Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

7. Where can I purchase a dog license?

Dog Tags (Pet Licenses)    

                     

Individual lifetime dog licenses are issued by the Treasurer for $10.

Buy Dog Tags Online

 You may purchase your dog tags online by selecting "Renew a License" if you received a notice from the Treasurer.  (Please note that notices have been mailed.

Lifetime License 

 A current rabies certificate must be mailed along with $10 to:

• Treasurer's Office
   P.O. Box 251
   Yorktown, VA 23690

Dogs four months and older must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed with York County. Tags will not be issued until a current rabies certificate is received.

Renew a Pet License

Presentation of a rabies certificate is not required if current vaccination is on file with the Treasurer.

Lost Dog Tag/Pet License

 Duplicate Licenses are $1.

Kennel License

 5 or more dogs constitutes operation of a private kennel, which is only permitted in certain areas of the County and under certain circumstances set forth in the York County Zoning Ordinance.

 If you need to request licenses for 5 or more dogs, please contact the Division of Development and Compliance at 757-890-3523 before purchasing. Requests must be accompanied by written authorization from the Division of Development and Compliance and submitted to the Treasurer.

 Kennel licenses may be obtained in the following increments:

• Up to 10 dogs $15
• 11 to 20 dogs $20
• 21 to 30 dogs $25
• 31 to 40 dogs $30
• 41 to 50 dogs $35

Animal Licensing page.

8. What if I or someone I know are missing a pet?

Report loss pet to Animal Control at 757-890-3621. Search your immediate neighborhood. Call your local animal shelter to see if your pet was picked-up and to report the loss if your pet should happen to be brought in on a later date. You can call the Heritage Humane Society at 757-221-0150 (typically animals picked up in the Northern End of York County) and the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter at 757-933-8900 (typically animals picked up in the Southern End of York County).

Pets without identification can look alike so, visit the animal shelter and look at the animals not only in the impound area but, also the animals in the injured, sick, and quarantine areas. If you find your pet, please advise the local shelter and Animal Control so the lost pet can be cleared off their list of lost animals.

9. What if I experience nuisance wildlife at my home or in my area?

Should you have a reoccurring problem with nuisance wildlife, the Animal Control Bureau may be able to assist with have-a-heart trap to capture the nuisance animal; unfortunately, wildlife captured cannot be relocated and the animal will have to be euthanized.

Furthermore, the Bureau will not trap wildlife that is simply passing through your yard. A nuisance animal is considered an animal that habitual destroys property. Some animals are exempt from being declared a nuisance, such as all birds of prey (ospreys, eagles, falcons, hawks, etc.) deer, and any animal or reptile protected by the state and or federal government.

10. Who is responsible for enforcing wildlife related laws?

The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is responsible for enforcing State laws relating to wildlife. If you have wildlife-related questions, contact VDGIF at (804) 367-1000, and if you need to report a problem with wildlife, contact the VDGIF Hotline at (855) 571-9003.

11. Are cats required to be licensed?

No, you are not required to acquire a license for cats, and cats are allowed to roam free without being tethered. However, they do need to be vaccinated for rabies.