Found Animals

Animals that have been found by a resident must either be turned over to the Animal Services Center, or a found report must be placed with the Center (per state law 3.2-6551).

The person finding an animal may call Public Safety Communications at (703) 792-6500, to request an Animal Control Officer come to their location and pick up the animal, or the individual may bring the animal to the Center at 14807 Bristow Road, Manassas (20112).

To place a Found Report with the Center call (703) 792-6465, or email us.

An animal is more likely to find its way back to its owner if taken to the Center for several reasons:

The owner of a lost animal may not call to report that their animal is missing -- they may simply come to the Center and look.
The finder of the animal may incorrectly identify the breed or sex of the animal, thus causing a non-match with a lost card on file.
The Animal Services Center can scan for microchips and track any tattoos the animal may have.

The Prince William County Animal Services Bureau provides that a person finding the animal may have the right of first refusal to adopt the animal if the owner does not come forward in the time allotted by law.

If you have found a stray animal and elect to contain it for a period of time before turning it over to the Animal Services Center, it is important to always house the animal separately from other animals in your home, for multiple reasons:

Taking in a stray animal could possibly expose your animals to unknown illness or disease. Sick animals may not always have visible symptoms. Keeping any new animals separate from your own can help minimize disease transmission.
Not all animals are compatible with others, regardless of species or sex. Keeping a stray animal housed separately can prevent any altercation from occurring between it and your own pets.

For further information about adopting a found animal, call the Animal Services Center at (703) 792-6465. For information on Lost Pets, click here.