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

Essex County Health Dept has confirmed that a stray cat tested positive for rabies in the Miller’s Tavern area of Essex County near Route 360. Make sure your pets rabies vaccination is up to date.

The pet in the photo (top right) is looking for a home. Click on the picture for more information about it.

Lost and Found Pets are featured on the Helping Homeless Animals In the Northern Neck/Middle Peninsula Virginia Facebook Page

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.

Please Donate to Help the Pets
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.

Changes to Dog Tethering Law 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