The Regional Animal Shelter (RAS) is a municipal facility that provides for the care and welfare of displaced animals from King William and King & Queen Counties. The RAS assists citizens of our community with a wide range of services such as redemption of animals to their owners; pet adoption to permanent suitable homes for animals with sound health and temperament; tracking of lost and found animals; pet licensing; and information about spay/neuter, proper pet care and treatment, training, and community animal laws.

Contact Information, Address & Hours

20201 King William Road
P.O. Box 215
King William, VA 23086
Phone (804) 769-4983
Fax (804)769-4993
Email Us

Visit the Shelter on Facebook

Lobby Hours:
Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday evenings until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Kennel Hours:
Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday evenings until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

TRICK-OR-TREAT WITH US! Click here for details.

Donations

We are grateful for donations made to support our animal care programs, Medical Care for animals at the Shelter; Adoption Promotion; Spay/Neuter Assistance; and Enrichment for animals at the Shelter.

Donations may be mailed to:

Regional Animal Shelter
P.O. Box 215
King William, VA 23086

Lost & Found Pets

The Regional Animal Shelter (RAS) maintains a lost and found log of all pets reported to our facility. All stray animals brought to the shelter are checked with this log, and all lost and found reports are cross-checked in hopes of returning pets to their owners. If you have lost or found a pet, please make a report to the RAS.

Tips to help find a Lost Pet!

Pet Adoption

We appreciate your consideration of adopting a homeless pet. Pet ownership is a serious responsibility, and a lifelong commitment. We have an obligation to the animal to ensure his new family is prepared to accept him, and we have an obligation to potential adopters to help them find the right pet for their circumstances and lifestyle. However you obtain your new pet it is still going to require your time, cost, and responsibility.

Applying. After selecting a pet to adopt, you will fill out an adoption questionnaire-application, which gives us important information about you, where you live, and the environment in which the pet will live. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

Consulting. We recommend you choose your pet carefully. Please review the important considerations listed below. After processing your application, which could take one to five days depending on the animals status, we will help you prepare for the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Visiting the veterinarian. Within seven (7) days from adopting your new pet, it must go to a participating veterinarian for a physical exam. The exam is free and will help establish a relationship with your veterinarian to ensure your new pet is healthy. If the veterinarian recommends any shots or treatments, he or she will discuss them and the cost before proceeding. State law requires all dogs and cats 4 months and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Animals that are not currently up to date on their rabies shot must be vaccinated by the veterinarian. Adopters pay a low-cost fee of $10.00 directly to the veterinarian for the rabies shot. If the pet is being delivered by Shelter staff to the veterinarian for spay/neuter prior to adoption, the physical exam will be performed at that time.

Spaying/neutering. Tragically, eight million animals are euthanized in shelters across the country each year, due to the tremendous pet overpopulation problem. Virginia State Law requires every pet adopted from a Shelter be spayed or neutered. An appointment date with the participating veterinarian for spaying or neutering of your new pet will be entered on the adoption contract, and you are responsible for presenting the pet to the veterinarian on that date. Failure to spay or neuter the pet will result in criminal and civil fines and repossession of the pet.

Signing the adoption contract. When the adoption application is approved, a time is scheduled for you to come to the Shelter, sign the adoption contract, pay the fees, and pick up the pet. If the Shelter is delivering the pet to the veterinarian for spay or neuter surgery, you will pick up the pet directly from the animal hospital after the surgery. You must agree to the terms of the legal binding adoption contract and sign that you will abide by all of them. If you have any questions about the terms of the contract, please ask.

Adoption Fee
$20.00 (Dogs and Cats)

County License
$5.00 for Dogs, free for Cats

Spay/Neuter Surgery
$100.00$ for Dogs, $70.00 for Cats

Total Adoption Cost
$125.00 for Dogs, $90.00 for Cats

* There may be additional co-pay for large female dogs.

Picking up your pet. Be sure to bring a collar and a pet carrier if you are adopting a cat or kitten, and a leash if you are adopting a puppy or dog. These items and other pet supplies can be purchased at our Shelter Shop. Proceeds will help support the animal care programs of the Regional Animal Shelter.

Important Pet Adoption Considerations

Your family. Is anyone allergic to animal hair? Do you have small children who may be over powered by a large dog, or who may play too rough with a puppy, kitten, cat, or small dog? Is there a family member home to house train a young animal?

Your home. Do you have space for a large dog? A large dog needs safe outdoor space for exercise. If you are renting, will your landlord allow a pet to live on the property?

Your time. Do you have the time to regularly exercise a dog or to groom a longhaired cat? Will you be willing to clean up after accidents and vacuum animal hair that has shed?

Your budget. Will you be able to afford the financial burden of maintaining a pet? In addition to food, toys and regular pet care supplies, pets require routine veterinary check-ups, shots, and medication. Licensing, grooming, altering and vacation care are additional expenses.

Pet request. If we do not have the type of pet you are looking for right now, our staff will assist you in completing a pet request. You can specify the type, size, breed, or age of the pet you may be interested in adopting, and we can contact you if we get an animal we think you might be interested in.

Licensing

It is unlawful for any person to own a dog four (4) months old or older in the Commonwealth of Virginia unless such dog is licensed. A dog license may be obtained by making oral or written application to the treasurer or their agents, of the locality where the dog owner resides, accompanied by the amount of license tax and a current certificate of rabies vaccination. Dog licenses must be purchased by February 1st of each calendar year. If a dog shall become four (4) months old or come into the possession of an owner after February 1st but before November 1st, the owner must pay the license fee for the current calendar year.

Contact the King & Queen Treasurer's Office for more details.

Spay/Neuter

Each year, millions of unwanted and homeless animals are born in this country. Of those that end up in shelters, some will be adopted, but many will be “put to sleep” (euthanized). One of the most important things you can do for your pet is to have it spayed or neutered.

Straight Talk About Spaying and Neutering flyer

Speak to your veterinarian today about this simple, life saving surgery. If you are in need of financial assistance through a low-cost program, contact:

• Indian Rivers Humane Society at (804) 885-3109
• Barron Surgery Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Mechanicsville (804) 368-6232 (transport from Regional Animal Shelter once each month, contact (804) 769-4983 for more information)
• Animal Resource Foundation Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Gloucester (804) 694-0349
• Jessica Beath Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Ashland (804) 752-7729
• Prevent a Litter Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Richmond (804) 359-6369
• Richmond S.P.C.A. Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Richmond (804)643-6785

DO THE RIGHT THING, SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET!

Volunteer Program

We appreciate your interest in becoming a Regional Animal Shelter volunteer, to assist us in our efforts to provide temporary care for displaced animals from our region. We currently have seven (7) different activites or job descriptions within our program that volunters can choose to be trained in and assigned to. Complete a downloadable Volunteer Application and Liability Waiver from the link below, mail to or drop off at the Shelter, then we will contact you to set up a schedule for you to come in and be trained in the area of your interest.

Regional Animal Shelter Standard Operating Procedure # G-1, Volunteer Program

Rescue Groups

We are required to comply with the Code of Virginia 3.2-6546, D.1-5 for recognizing and working with Releasing Agencies (Rescue Groups). If your group would like to work with our Shelter to facilitate the transfer of adoptable animals to your agency, please click on the link below to view the R.A.S. Standard Operating Procedure #F-6, Releasing Agency Guidelines. Please contact the Shelter directly with any further questions.

Regional Animal Shelter Standard Operation Procedure #F-6, Releasing Agency Guidelines

Hills Science Diet Shelter Partnership

Regional Animal Shelter is partnering with Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc. to feed Science Diet pet food products exclusively to the animals being cared for by the Shelter. Hills provides life stages pet food products free of charge to the Shelter, and the Shelter pays only the shipping and handling costs. Hills also provides a small Trial Bag that is given to each new owner at the time of adoption.

Shelter Donation Wishlist

The Regional Animal Shelter welcomes donations to support our care and enrichment efforts for the many displaced animals in our community. The list below identifies the items that are most helpful.

Plastic Colanders
Bleach
Rolled paper towels
Dishwashing (antibacterial) Detergent
Pet Carriers
Collars and leashes new or used
Washable rugs (small such as bathroom or kitchen rugs)
Dog biscuits and soft treats (natural without dyes)
Blankets (none that are quilted, stuffed or electric)
Washable dog toys (Kongs, nylabones, hard rubber toys, braided rope toys, squeaky toys)
Clay kitty litter (unscented, not the scoopable type)
Powder laundry detergent (HE for high efficiency machines)
Washable cat toys (ping pong balls, plastic shower curtain rings, practice golf balls)

Directions to Regional Animal Shelter

Physical address:

20201 King William Road (Route. 30)
King William, VA 23086

From Richmond and points west, travel east toward Tappahannock on Rte. 360 (Richmond-Tappahannock Hwy.) Turn right on Route 30 (King William Road) at Central garage in King William County. Travel approximately 8 miles to Regional Animal Shelter on left of Rte.30 just past the King William County Colonial Courthouse.

From Tappahannock and points east, travel west toward Richmond on Rte.360 (Richmond-Tappahannock Hwy.) Turn left on Route 30 (King William Road) at Central Garage in King William County. Travel approximately 8 miles to Regional Animal Shelter on left of Rte.30 just past the King William County Colonial Courthouse.

From West Point and points south, travel north on Rte. 30 (King William Road) from Rte. 33 in West Point. Follow approximately 16 miles to Regional Animal Shelter on right just past Whites Shop.

From Interstate 95 and points North, take exit #98 for Route 30 South (Kings Dominion). Travel Rte. 30 approximately 33 miles to Regional Animal Shelter on left of Rte.30 just past the King William County Colonial Courthouse.

Helpful Links

King & Queen County Pets for Adoption

Can we help you keep your pet?

Helpful resource for new or soon-to-be pet owners

Indian Rivers Humane Society-serving King William, Essex, and King & Queen Counties