What are the basic needs of all animals?
What do you do when you see an animal not being properly cared for?
When are dog licenses due in Surry?
Where can you buy a license for your pet?
What must you have to purchase a license?
What is the cost of the license?
What is the difference between a feral (wild) cat and a stray cat?
What can you do to help feral (wild) cats?
Who represents the Surry County Board of Supervisors?
Who represents the Sussex County Board of Supervisors?

Question: What are the basic needs of all animals?

Answer: § Virginia Code (3.1-796.68) says each owner shall provide for each companion animal:

• Adequate food

• Adequate water

• Adequate shelter that is properly cleaned

• Adequate space in the shelter for the type of animal depending on its age, size, species and weight

• Adequate exercise

• Adequate care, treatment and transportation and

• Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or disease transmission

Adequate food and water means the quantity and quality necessary to maintain the animal in a healthy condition.  The water should be fresh and clean and always available to the animal for good hydration.  Adequate care means medical attention to injury and disease, a reasonable sanitary environment and basic hygienic care.

Adequate shelter means a dog may not be tied or confined outside without access to a weatherproof shelter.  Hot sun or freezing rains without shelter are conditions which cause animals unnecessary suffering and violate humane care standards and violate the law.

If tying or chaining your dog, the length should be at least ten feet with the staked end seven feet in front of the dog house or suitable shelter so the dog has access to the shelter but can not run around it and get tangled.  The arrangement of the rope or chain should be such that the dog cannot injure or hang himself. Your dog needs periodic exercise.

Every dog 4 months or older must be licensed in Virginia.

Do all of these things because you love and care about your companion animal and because it’s the law.

Question: What do you do when you see an animal not being properly cared for?

Answer: First call the Animal Control Officer in your county.  He is trained to work with owners to comply with meeting basic needs of animals and assuring this is accomplished.  In Surry, the telephone number of Animal Control and the Pound is (757) 294-0158.

All Supervisors want to know their employees are giving good service. The County Administrator supervises the Animal Control Officer and needs to know if a problem has not been addressed.  The Administrator can be contacted at (757) 294-5271.  Animal Control also needs to know if the problem persists after they intervene.  If the situation is not corrected, Animal Control has the right to remove the animal.  Please give Animal Control a chance to correct the problem.  If Animal Control fails to address a problem, there is additional help available.  The Sheriff’s Department has a legal obligation to enforce all laws.  Talk to them about assisting with the problem at (757) 294-5264.   You always have a right to bring charges against any individual mistreating or abandoning an animal.  The Commonwealth Attorney is the supervisor of legal matters and can assist you at (757) 294-3118.  The SPCA will support you in your efforts to correct such a situation.  Call SPCA president Don Wells at (804) 834-3579 to seek advise/support.

The State Veterinarian at the State Department of Agriculture is a licensing/supervising authority over county animal pounds and can investigate abuse and cruelty.  Talk to them about what can be done at (804) 786-2483.  The Department also handles investigations of cruelty and abuse of agricultural farm animals.  Farm animals are covered under a different set of laws than cats and dogs but they are still protected by law.  Don’t give up…BE PERSISTENT…this helpless animal is depending on YOU!

Abandonment of Animals

It is against the law to abandon or dump any animal.  An unwanted animal may be released to a pound, shelter, foster facility or other releasing agency.  If you see an animal being dumped, get as much information as you can (i.e. vehicle license number) and any known information and report it to the Sheriff’s Department.  Follow up to make sure action is taken.

Dog Fighting

Dog fighting is illegal in the State of Virginia.  It is a felony offense.  It is when dogs are trained to fight to the death and are put in a pit and encouraged to attack and maul each other.  Dogs are trained by conditioning them to kill smaller animals (cats, dogs fowl) to develop a thirst for blood.  Spectators bet and cheer for their favorite dog.  Pets can be stolen to be used for training the dogs to kill.  Firearms and illegal drugs are often associated with this highly secretive “sport”.  Children are often spectators where they learn to tolerate animal cruelty and learn an enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law.  Be vigilant about properties which are fenced, isolated, have many cars coming and going at the same time.  Don’t take matters into your own hands.  This is a very dangerous situation.  Report any suspicious activity to the State Police.  And be patient but persistent.  Investigations take time and manpower.

Question: When are dog licenses due in Surry?

Answer: Licenses go on sale November 1 of each year and are due by January 31.

Question: Where can you buy a license for your pet?

Answer: Pet licenses are purchased from the Treasurer of the County or City in which you reside.  In Surry County, the Treasurer's office is located in the government center in the town of Surry.  They are open between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.  The telephone number is (757) 294-5206.

Question: What must you have to purchase a license?

Answer: You must have a current rabies certificate from a licensed veterinarian.

Question: What is the cost of the license?

Answer:

In Surry:

Individual dog:

Male - $5.00

Female - $10.00

Fixed dogs - $5.00

Kennel license:

5-10 Dogs - $20.00

11-20 Dogs - $30.00

21-30 Dogs - $40.00

31-50 Dogs - $50.00

In Sussex:

Individual dog: $7.00

Kennel license:

20 dog kennel license - $35

50 dog kennel license - $50

Question: What is the difference between a feral (wild) cat and a stray cat?

Answer: A stray cat is one who has been abandoned or who has wandered from home and become lost.  Stray cats can usually be re-socialized and adopted. 

Question: What can you do to help feral (wild) cats?

Answer: Adult feral cats are not easily tamed, socialized and adopted.  Kittens up to 10 weeks can often be tamed and placed in homes.  Feral cats shun human contact, especially with unfamiliar people.  A more global approach to controlling wild cat breeding is to trap the cats, neuter, return them to the wild to live out their lives under the watchful eye of caregivers who feed them on a regular basis.  Visit the Alley Cat Allies website www.alleycat.org to find lots of ways to help stop the killing of feral cats and to promote Trap-Neuter-Return, the humane, nonlethal method of population control.  Above all you can help by preventing feral cats from being born in the first place.  Make sure your own pet cats are spayed and neutered.  And never abandon a pet.  Alley Cat Allies and Best Friends Animal Society are dedicated to stopping the breeding of feral cats without killing.  “Every life is precious, whether it’s rare or not.”

Question: Who represents the Surry County Board of Supervisors?

Answer: The Surry County Board of Supervisors is represented by:

M. Sherlock Homes, Chairman (Carsley District)
5310 Laurel Drive
Disputanta, VA 23842
(804) 834-3223

John M. Seward, Vice-Chair (Surry District)
1195 Colonial Trail E
Surry, VA 23883
(757) 294-3072

Ernest L. Blount (Dendron District)
5336 Rolfe Hwy
Elberon, VA 23846
(757) 267-2253

Reginald O. Harrison (Claremont District)
314 Montpelier Road
Spring Grove, VA
(804) 834-3678

Mrs. Judy S. Lyttle (Bacon's Castle District)
3893 Colonial Trail East
Surry, Va 23883
(757) 294-3837

Question: Who represents the Sussex County Board of Supervisors?

Answer: The Sussex County Board of Supervisors is represented by:

Charlie Caple, Jr. (Stoney Creek) - (434) 246-2602

Alice Jones (Waverly) - (804) 834-2366

Bill Collins (Courthouse) - (804) 834-8680

C. Eric Fly - (757) 899-3597

Wayne Harrell (Blackwater) - (804) 834-2603

Rufus Tyler (Henry) - (804) 834-3522