COLONIAL HEIGHTS
POLICE
ANIMAL
CONTROL DIVISION
 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.
In 2004, Animal Control held a variety of
public educational events, in partnership with the S.P.C.A.
and local businesses. Rabies clinics were 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.
In 2004, Mr. Bob Dance found a puppy in
distress on Archer Avenue near the Appomattox River. Mr. Dance rushed
the puppy to the shelter. Animal Control Officer Brenda Graham took the
puppy to a local veterinarian for emergency treatment. Despite concerns
that the puppy would not survive, veterinarians treated the dog, and he
made a full recovery. Touched by the loving care, and service provided
by Animal Control, Mr. Dance provided a $1,000.00 donation for future
treatment of the puppy, and other animals at the shelter. The puppy,
named Mattox by his new family (short for Appomattox, reflecting the
location where he was rescued) now resides with a Colonial Heights
Police Officer, and his family.
During the fall of 2004, the shelter
received a facelift. The exterior of the shelter was repainted with a
new color scheme. Painting labor was provided by Riverside Regional Jail
inmates at no cost to the city. The project was overseen by the police
department Administrative Services Division.
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Adopting a Pet
Click here for the Pet 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
-
Male and Female
cat - $10.00
-
Unsexed Dog or
Cat - $ 2.00
-
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 without a collar will be kept for seven days. Animals with a collar will be kept
for 12 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
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|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
Animal Complaints |
3,430 |
3,545 |
3,630 |
3,403 |
|
Impounded Animals |
837 |
847 |
730 |
667 |
|
Barking Complaints |
166 |
185 |
144 |
156 |
|
Animal Bites |
50 |
54 |
37 |
26 |
|
Wildlife Complaints |
163 |
166 |
155 |
184 |
|
Summons Issued |
122 |
91 |
79 |
46 |
|
Animals Adopted |
420 |
399 |
310 |
297 |
|
Returned to Owner |
219 |
226 |
210 |
201 |
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Total Fees Taken In |
$9,939.00 |
$9,114.00 |
$17,986.00 |
$14,561.00 |
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
Denise B. Hardy - Animal Control Officer
Brenda Graham - Animal Control Officer
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