Before calling for help regarding stray or lost domestic animals in Clarke County, or to share a concern about a wild animal in the county, please scroll down to the appropriate section below: Clarke Animal Shelter, Stray Dogs, Stray Cats, Livestock, or Wild Animals. Different agencies respond to different situations.

Clarke Animal Shelter

Clarke Animal Shelter staff does not travel to trap or collect dogs or cats. The Shelter does not accept wild animals. Staff remains on site to accept pets surrendered by their owners and to care for animals housed at the shelter. Shelter staff is dedicated to finding permanent homes for all adoptable pets.

Clarke County government manages Clarke Animal Shelter, but the shelter is owned by the Clarke County Humane Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation.

Meet animals available for adoption in person at the shelter, or view them online at petfinder.com. Adoption fees are $35 for cats and $50 for dogs, payable by check, money order, or debit/credit cards. Use this Pre-Adoption Application. 

Note: The Code of Clarke County (Chapter 61) requires all dogs ages 4-months and older to be licensed and wear tags. Dog licenses must be purchased annually by Jan. 31 from the Treasurer’s Office.

The Clarke Animal Shelter is located at 225 Ramsburg Lane, in Berryville, Va. Contact the shelter at (540) 955-5104 or animalshelter@clarkecounty.gov.

Hours
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
CLOSED Sunday, Wednesday, and holidays

Katrina Carroll
Animal Shelter Manager

Jessica Bruce
Animal Shelter Lead

Stray Dogs

Clarke County Sheriff’s Deputies handle stray dogs and take dogs to the Clarke Animal Shelter. The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office is also responsible for the enforcement of local and state laws regarding domesticated animals, including livestock, within the county. The Berryville Police Department responds to domestic animal-related issues within Town limits.

To report an incident regarding a dog anywhere in the Clarke County, including Berryville, contact the Emergency Communications Center at (540) 955-1234. The ECC operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dispatchers will ask for details about the dog and send Sheriff’s Deputies.

Stray Cats

Clarke Animal Shelter staff and Clarke County Sheriff’s Deputies do not pick up or trap feral and stray cats.

Livestock

Clarke County Sheriff’s Deputies handle cattle, horses, and other livestock that have wandered into roadways. They also respond to complaints of livestock abuse.

To report an incident regarding livestock anywhere in the Clarke County, including Berryville, contact the Emergency Communications Center at (540) 955-1234. The ECC operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dispatchers will ask for details about the animal(s) and send Sheriff’s Deputies.

The Sheriff’s Office also maintains emergency contact information for owners of livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, etc.) so deputies can quickly notify an owner in the event a large animal is reported running loose or injured. If you own livestock, please download, complete, and return this Livestock Owner Contact Form to the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, 100 N. Church St., Berryville VA 22611, fax it to (540) 955-4111, or submit it via email to ccso@clarkecounty.gov.

Wild Animals

Clarke Animal Shelter staff and Clarke County Sheriff’s Deputies do not handle wild animals; the exception may be a large wild animal struck by a motor vehicle.

To report a concern about a wild animal, contact the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).

• Report a Wildlife Violation
• Help with Injured & Orphaned Wildlife
• Help with Human-Wildlife Conflicts 

Clarke County is served by these DWR offices:

Region 4 Fredericksburg Office
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (540) 899-4169
Region 4 Verona Office
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (540) 248-9360

Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Clarke County also responds to some wildlife emergencies. Contact the BRWC at (540) 837-9000 or info@blueridgewildlifectr.org.

Wildlife Veterinary Care in Clarke County also assists with questions about wildlife. Contact WVC at (540) 664-9494 or info@wildlifevetcare.org.