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Animal Control

Donna Boutwell
Animal Control Officer

Randy Leonard
Assistant Animal Control Officer

Cynthia Case
Kennel Assistant (Part Time)

Office Hours:
Monday - Wednesday - Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Closed on Tuesday
Appointments can be made upon request

The Amelia County Animal Shelter

The Amelia County Animal Shelter and Animal Control Office are located at the Joe H. Paulette Memorial Park (16565 Five Forks Road) in Amelia. With a staff of two full-time and one part-time employee the Animal Control Department utilizes a vast array of volunteers and volunteer groups to make the Amelia County Animal Shelter among the most efficient Public Shelters in the Commonwealth of Virginia at having animals adopted.

Consequently, in recent years, the Animal Control Department has become a multi faceted organization balancing citizen safety with animal protection. Last year Amelia housed approximately 1,500 animals, which is nearly three times the number of animals that were housed in 1996. However, by maintaining a high degree of excellence, care and concern for our animals and their ultimate adoption, we can proudly say that we have become one of the top shelters of rural Virginia.

The shelter includes ten (10) large dog runs, allowing us to house twenty (20) large dogs at one time, a puppy room with stainless steel rolling cages, allowing us to house approximately twenty (20) puppies and thirteen (13) cat cages, allowing us to house approximately twenty (20) cats. We also have an isolation room with one large rolling cage and one small rolling cage.

We promote our animals being housed at the shelter on the radio, in the local paper and on the internet at www.petfinder.org to reunite them with their owners and, if not, to hopefully find a new appropriate home. Adopters find a friendly knowledgeable staff always willing to help. Adoptions can also be made by linking to www.apaw.org.

Due to public safety, animal safety and liability, we removed the red "drop box" from in front of the shelter which allowed citizens to drop animals off after hours. Now citizens wishing to rid themselves of unwanted animals, must call the shelter for a pick up or bring them in during regular business hours. This was necessary to protect citizens from the potential for serious injury from the often vicious animals, which were often left in the box.

News

Posted on: 12/30/2009 03:49 PM

HUCKLEBERRY THE HOMELESS HOUND FLYS TO A NEW HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

An exciting new program called Pilots N Paws made it possible for a homeless hound dog from Amelia to get a new home in Cincinnati, Ohio for Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of pilots and plan owners, homeless animals in shelters all over the United States are receiving a second chance by being flown from areas with too many pets to places where there are new homes waiting to welcome them.

Dedicated volunteer rescue workers who toil tierlessly to save the animals that end up at the Amelia County Animal Shelter located a new home for Huckleberry, a large white male Walker Hound, in Ohio. The only obstacle was getting him there. In stepped pilot Bob Schemmerling of Pennsylvania. Bob and friend Lee Smith flew to the  Chesterfield County airport on Saturday, December 12th, where APAW volunteer Cindy Case and friend Ben Underwood met them with Huckleberry.  Shortly thereafter, Huckleberry was airborne. The trio flew to Lynchburg where another pilot picked up Huckleberry and flew him to Parkersburg, WV.  From there a third pilot flew Huckleberry to his final destination, Cincinnati, Ohio.

What a heartwarming Christmas story! More information on this exciting animal rescue program can be found at www.pilotsnpaws.org which is intended to be a meeting place for those who rescue, shelter or foster animals, and pilots and plane owners willing to assist with the transportation of animals.

Information

If you recently moved to Amelia County
Anyone who brings a dog or cat that has not been inoculated against rabies into the County, must have the animal inoculated by a currently licensed veterinarian within 30 days from when the animal enters the County. If the animal has a current inoculation, evidence of the inoculation must be available to the Animal Control Officers.

Dog Licenses
Any dog over four (4) months of age must have a dog license. Amelia County dogs must be licensed annually. A dog license consists of a receipt and a metal tag. The tag may be purchased from the Treasurer's Office at 9127 Washington Street, Amelia, Virginia 23002. The tag will be stamped with Amelia County, a serial number and the calendar year in which the dog tag is issued. Dog license receipts should be kept in a safe place and should be available for inspection upon request of an Animal Control Officer. The tag must be securely fastened to a substantial collar worn by the dog at all times. Any dog found loose in the County not wearing a county tag of the correct year, will be considered a stray and will be impounded by the Animal Control. Cats are not required to be licensed.

How to get a Dog License
You may obtain a dog license from the Treasurer's Office by furnishing a certification of rabies vaccination and paying the license fees. No tag will be issued unless there is proof that a licensed veterinarian has vaccinated the dog against rabies.

When are licenses due?
The licenses are available to be purchased any time after November 1 and must be purchased prior to January 31 for the coming year.

License Fees
Each unneutered or unspayed dog $7.00
Each neutered or spayed dog $5.00
Kennels:
*21 dogs or more - $50.00
*20 dogs or less - $35.00

Guide Dogs for the Blind, Deaf or Hearing-Impaired
No license is required for any dog that is trained and serves as a guide dog or hearing dog serving the blind, deaf or hearing impaired person.

Rabies Control
By law, dogs and cats that are four (4) months or older must be inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. For more information regarding low cost rabies clinics, call 804-561-3878.

Dead Animal(s) Found on Public Roads
If unclaimed by the owner, dead animals are the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation. Call 804-561-2411 to report such animal, giving an exact location for pick-up.

Animal Bites
All animal bites of human beings must be reported to the Amelia County Health Department at 804-561-2711 within 24 hours.

County Leash Laws
Amelia County does not have a countywide leash law. However, in the following portions of the County, dogs are prohibited to run at large: Genito Mills Estates, Section A & B and Winterham Estates. A dog shall be deemed to run at large while, roaming, running or self-hunting off the property of its' owner or custodian and not under its' immediate control.

Dogs Running at Large
First try talking with the owner of the dog(s). Should the problem continue, contact the Animal Control Office to report the problem. The Animal Control Officer is unable by law to take any action unless he/she witness' the incident. The officer on patrol will log the information provided for future reference. Just because the officer cannot take immediate action does not mean that nothing can be done. You can take action by making an application for the violation of this section at the Magistrate's Office. All dogs bearing tags are not considered running at large unless in designated areas of the County which have a leash law, or the dogs are loose April 15th through May 15th.

April 15th to May 15th - Illegal Period for Dogs Running at Large
It shall be unlawful for any owner or custodian of any dog to allow any dog to run at large in the County of Amelia during the period of April 15th to May 15th of each calendar year. A dog shall be deemed to run at large while roaming, running or self-hunting off the property of the owner or custodian and not under the owner or custodian's immediate control.

Impounded Dogs
If your dog does not have identification, it will be kept for five (5) business days. If the dog has not been claimed at the end of five (5) days, the animal may be placed for adoption or otherwise disposed of. If the dog displays identification, the owner if possible will be notified of the impoundment and if no response, the animal may be placed for adoption or otherwise disposed of. A $4.00 per day boarding fee will be assessed.

Animal Traps
The Animal Control Office has a limited number of small and large traps available for loan to property owners. These traps are loaned on a first come first serve basis.

Calls for Service
The calls for service are by time and date and prioritized. The calls are then handled according to priority first and then the order that they are received depending on the area of the county the officers are working.

Surrender of Animals
The Animal Shelter will accept dogs and cats from its owner at no charge. These animals must be brought to the shelter during regular shelter hours. All forms for the surrender are available at the shelter and must be completed before the animals can be accepted.

Animal Bites from Wildlife
Should you or your pet be bitten or scratched by a wild animal, report it immediately to the County Health Department at 804-561-2711 or call Animal Control at 804-561-3878. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to the Animal Control Office, immediately. DO NOT APPROACH ANY WILD ANIMALS FOR ANY REASON!

Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Comply with the law and think about your neighbors. Make sure your pets' rabies vaccinations are up to date and that your pet has his county license attached to his collar. And remember, just because there is no leash law in the County doesn't mean that your neighbor wants your dog in his/her yard.

Emergency After Hours
Animal Control responds to calls after hours for emergencies only. It is an emergency if a domestic, farm, or wild animal is threatening the life or safety of a human. If an animal is injured and the owner can be located, then the care of the animal is the owner's responsibility. To report emergencies after hours please call the Sheriff's office at 804-561-2118 or 911.

Spay and Neuter Program
A Low-Cost spay and neuter program is available to area reisdents and to individuals adopting from the Amelia Animal Shelter. The program is sponsored by the Amelia Patrons for Animal Welfare (A.P.A.W.) Group. Spay/Neuter forms may be obtained by clicking on the A.P.A.W. link below.

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Department Contact

Physical Address:
Amelia Animal Control
Joe H. Paulette Memorial Park:
16565 Five Forks Road
Amelia, Virginia 23002

Mailing Address:
Amelia Animal Control
P.O. Box A
Amelia, VA 23002


Phone: (804) 561-3878
Email: email image