Knowledge Base

The Animal Control and Protection Unit is a unit within the Roanoke Police Department that consists of Animal Control Officers who enforce state laws and city ordinances involving domestic animals. Officers patrol the city in search of stray and vicious animals. They also investigate complaints which can include abandoned animals, animal cruelty, and neglect, animal bites, spay and neuter violations, and animals running at large. Officers ensure that pet owners comply with Roanoke City Code and the Code of Virginia regarding pet limitations, vaccinations, and spaying and neutering. Animal Control Officers issue citations and take other enforcement action when necessary. Urgent animal complaints and non-urgent animal complaints can be reported to the Roanoke E-911 Control Center by calling 911. For inquiries and information regarding animal protection laws, please contact the Animal Control and Protection Office at (540) 853-1690. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Animal Control Officers are on call after normal business hours to respond to reports of vicious animals, injured animals, stray animals, and animal bites to humans. All animal bites that occur in the City of Roanoke must be reported to the Animal Control and Protection Unit or the Roanoke Police Department. Withholding such information is a criminal offense. (See § 18.2-313.1 Code of Virginia 1950 as amended).

Contact Information:

Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection

1510 Baldwin Ave., N.E.

Roanoke, VA 24012

Phone: (540) 344-4922

Animal Control and Protection Unit

(Housed within the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection)

Phone: (540) 853-1690

Fax: (540) 344-4907

Roanoke Police Department

348 Campbell Ave., S.W.

Roanoke, VA 24016

Phone: (540) 853-2211

Fax: (540) 853-6585

Web site: roanokeva.gov/police

E-mail: police@roanokeva.gov