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Essex County Animal Shelter
540 Airport Road,
Tappahannock,
VA, 22560 Phone: 804-443-0726
E-mail: eshifflett@essex-virginia.org
Opening Hours:
Wednesday - Sunday: 11am - 4pm
Closed Monday, Tuesday and Holidays
Who we are
Tappahannock Essex County Animal Shelter is a small, county owned facility. Opened in 2008, we are not a 'no kill shelter' but do our best to minimize the need to euthanize animals. In 2022, TECAS had an intake of 400 animals with zero animals euthanised.
The animal shelter is located at 540 Airport Road, Tappahannock, Virginia. It is right across the street from the Tappahannock Veterinary Hospital.
TECAS does not do same day adoptions. Your application is reviewed for adoption, and we will return a telephone call to the applicant usually within 72 hours to let you know if you have been approved or denied.
For more information see the
Tappahannock Essex County Animal Control website.
Lost your dog?
Stray dogs without identification are kept for 5 days before being put up for adoption. Dogs with identification are kept for 10 days before being put up for adoption. Contact the shelter to check whether your pet is there.
Some of the stray dogs are featured on the Helping Homeless Animals In the Northern Neck/Middle Peninsula Virginia Facebook Page but not all are put here so contact the shelter if you have lost your dog.
For more information see the Tappahannock Essex County Animal Control Lost and Found Pets page
Find the right dog for you
When looking for that new family member please remember to really think about the things you and your family want and need
in a pet that fits the family lifestyle. Get to know your breeds! Some breeds require more space, exercise and circumstances
than others. Even if you are going to adopt a mixed breed, look into what it's primary breed needs in a home,
environment and exercise. Your new family member needs to be wanted by everyone in the family and included
in your daily lives to be truly happy.
Click here for more information on how to find the right dog.
Volunteering
The Tappahannock-Essex County Animal Shelter is always looking for volunteers to wash towels,
bedding and food bowls, do general cleaning, sweeping and mopping, keeping food, toys and
snacks stocked. Of utmost importance, experienced volunteers are needed for socializing all
of the pets to ready them for adoptions or transfers to rescue groups that will place them
in loving homes. They especially need experienced volunteers for teaching dogs basic commands
and training them to walk on a leash and to feel safe around people. Transport drivers and
volunteers are always needed to take the dogs and cats to pet adoption stands and to transport
them to rescue groups, foster homes or needed medical care.
We need basic cleaning supplies, towels, blankets, collars/leashes new or used, and pet carriers. We appreciate any and all donations. Clicking here to see our donation page.
On behalf of the dogs thank you. No Squeeky Toys Please
Toys that make a noise when you squeeze them can encourage some dogs to be aggressive towards young children because they squeek too. The device that makes the noise is usually small and can be harmful if swallowed. Some toys of this type contain a small battery which is poisonous if the dog eats it. The best toys are tuggers, tennis balls and hard chew toys that cannot be ripped apart.
From July 1, 2020, there are changes to dog tethering laws across the state of Virginia. The legislation expanded the definition of 'adequate shelter' for family dogs. It is illegal to leave tethered dogs outside when temperatures are below 32°F or above 85°F or when the weather service issues warnings for hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe weather. The legislation also increases the minimum length of a tether from 10 feet to 15 feet. Additionally, dogs must be provided adequate shelter during hot weather that is properly shaded and does not readily conduct heat. During cold weather, the shelter must have a windbreak at its entrance and provide bedding material (such as straw, cedar shavings, or similar) that is sufficient to protect the animal from cold and promote the retention of body heat. Adequate Shelter Virgina Code 3.2-6500 Click here for more information |
Visiting Essex County Animal Shelter
Please phone us on 804-443-0726 to check that the dog you want to visit is still available.
Location Map of Tappahannock, VA