Isle of Wight County Animal Services

Rebecca Burley

2020-05

You'd be hard pressed to find a place that cares more about every single animal in their care. The dogs that come through this shelter often come from situations where they were cast off like an old t-shirt or have to be given up because of breed restrictions in housing. Every adoption application is considered seriously. They will not be adopting pets out to just anyone. Know that when they ask you questions they are doing their job to make sure animals go to loving forever homes. The shelter is often busy with many animals to take care of while the staff is also trying to please the demands of the public... for a small, house-trained puppy who doesn't bark a lot, for example. This (and every shelter for that matter) does the best they can with the little resources and the dedicated staff and volunteers they have. If you're looking to adopt, foster or volunteer, I highly recommend Isle of Wight Animal Control.

Kaydence Delgado

2020-05

I went to volunteer and I found the perfect kitten. now she is almost a year old and we adopted her in July. She even has a brother also from the shelter.

Lana Toten

2023-05

Unfortunately didn't have a good experience. We love our kitty from here but went through a lot of stress to get him healthy. They did not tell me he was sick when I picked him up, but when I called they assured me they would handle the vet appointments and we would finalize the adoption as soon as he was healthy. The first medicine did not work, so we were supposed to try another one. This is where they just stopped communicating with me. I waited around a week while they were supposed to be getting approval to get him the other medicine, after calling and not hearing back I ended up just bringing him to our vet and establishing a relationship there. They never reached back out to discuss the second medicine or adoption paperwork. The animal shelter didn't call back for months and never bothered to ask how he was doing, given he was supposed to still be waiting on medicine. I'm glad I took him to our vet. I didn't hear back from the shelter for around 5 months, when they randomly decided to call about 44 times while I was working on a Saturday. The lady who called, Allison, also decided it would be appropriate to leave a threatening voice-mail, stating they would come take the cat if I failed to complete the adoption. While I understand the need to complete the adoption, they still at this point NEVER bothered to ask how the cat was doing or if we even solved the issue, only worried about the adoption fee. Given our love for the cat, we called back immediately to resolve it but we should have given them the same respect we received and not called back. I understand being short staffed, but why would an over run shelter with no employees threaten to come take the cat back? All this being after I spent $436 to get the cat healthy in the first place.

Michelle Kennard

2023-05

Wonderful people! I had to surrender my mother's animals since she passed away, and they have taken such good care of them! They're actively working to get them adopted and the animals look happy and healthy in their care. They really have gone above and beyond ❤️

Alexis Hunter

2020-05

This is by far the best animal shelter I have ever been to in my life. Clean, organized, caring, respectful and most of all helpful. The staff was diligent and kind, this reflected clearly in how clean the facility was. Kennels and dogs alike. The outside area and play pens were well cared for and great for meet and greets. Even officers there were supper helpful in introducing my dog to theirs. We are so happy to have a new addition to our family and to have everyone happy and healthy here at home. I’ve rescued quite a few dogs in the past and been in many shelters all with horror stories to tell after the fact. Not this time. It’s great to see people that truly care. And to see animals of all kinds treated like family even as they wait for their forever home. Great job guys!Love Casper

Christina Baynard

2023-05

My experience with this shelter has been nothing but outstanding!!!!! The love and kindness they show towards these precious animals is like no other!! They were very helpful and understanding when it came to finalizing the two pups I adopted…… wonderful staff and great communication as well as facility!!! Would recommend anyone looking to adopt to this shelter!!!! We got Riley(Ry-Ry) and Robert (Bubba) from them they were in a 5 count litter and were about to keep one of the brothers and sisters together

Monster Bass

2023-05

We’ve been having a problem with our neighbors dog attacking our dog through the fence. They called Animal control after there dog attacked our dog again. Our dog was never aggressive untill they brought this dog to there home. The responding officer was extremely professional and very nice. Our experience with him was very good. He asked to see our dog and checked her out. He handled her with care and ease. I can’t say enough good things about him. Thank you sir.

Chris Lovelette

2020-05

I’ve been volunteering at this shelter (mostly with dogs) for over two years and would like to leave a review about this shelter to help those planning a visit to meet the dogs. First, the shelter is an open intake shelter. This means the shelter must take every dog that comes through the front door or happens to be roaming Isle of Wight County. Oftentimes, the dogs have been neglected for who knows how long. Without any previous information about the dog, their health history, and any past behavior issues, it takes time to truly “know” the dog. The shelter does an initial intake and places the dog on the Virginia regulated and required stray hold. During the stray hold, contact is limited to the staff, that are often undermanned and have many animals to care for. Once the stray hold is up, volunteers can start working with the dog and gaining valuable information to help the dog get adopted. For some dogs, they come in very scared and shutdown. It takes time to get them to trust humans again. If you come in and the staff and/or volunteers do not know a lot about the dog, they are probably still in the process of getting to “know” the dog. With that said, if staff or volunteers do not believe a dog is a good fit for you and/or your family, it’s probably for a good reason and I would hope that is a valued quality when visiting this shelter. We want you, your family, and your new four legged friend to have a happy life together. Remember, it is a shelter. It will be loud and dogs will be barking. The staff and volunteers clean the kennels throughout the day, but can not predict when a dog will do it’s business. Those scared, skinny, and sick looking dogs you see, often come into the shelter that way. The staff and volunteers are trying to get them feeling better and trusting again. Those are the ones that need your help the most. Unfortunately, people come in looking for a specific “type” of dog and walk by a dog that would be perfect for them and/or their family. You want a big and hyper dog that needs a lot of exercise, but you work a lot and have two young kids. This may not be the right fit for you or the dog. Trust the staff and volunteers. We have your family and the dogs best interest in mind. When you are visiting ask questions and get help finding the perfect match for you and your family. The staff and volunteers spend countless hours on the health and well-being of the dogs and strive to find the best family that will allow the new addition to thrive in their new home. Hopefully, this review will give you a small glimpse and understanding about the shelter. Stop by, this shelter truly has the best animals.

Amanda Paga

2021-05

Wonderful place to adopt your next fur baby! We adopted our dog 6 months ago and he is the sweetest boy. Hunting dog who didn’t hunt anymore. Underweight, heartworm positive... the shelter had just gotten him in a few weeks before but had already invested so much time in getting to know him. The nicest people who truly care and some wonderful animals! We will always adopt from this shelter ❤️ Thank you for all you do for these sweet animals!!

Marissa Sholtes

2021-05

Currently doing the foster-to-adopt program with our sweet beagle. Upon first meeting him, he wouldn't come within 5 feet of our family, and here it is on day 6 sprawled out on my lap. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, the shelter is CLEAN, and above all else, you can tell that they CARE. Will recommend 👌

Curran

2021-05

Weird hours but they made the adoption process incredibly easy! I met a kitten on a Tuesday and returned to pick him up that Thursday, but I could have taken him home the day I met him! Helpful staff but better hours could mean better chances of other animals getting adopted.

Megan Sergeant

2020-05

Last year we adopted our dog from here and just last week our kitten! The staff have always been extremely friendly and helpful- they truly just want what is best for the animals in their care. My family and I will always be grateful for the Isle of Wight shelter- Our animals have completed our family.

Jamie Rasor

2023-05

So the hours online and on the door are wrong, ive made the drive here twice to try and see their animals and they're never open during their business hours... not a good shelter if they arent even open in my opinion. :( if you live farther away like me just go to a big shelter somewhere else.

Alexandra Hodges

2020-05

Despite their rural local and low foot traffic, this shelter does the absolute best with the resources they have available. I have watched this shelter improve by leaps and bounds in the last few years and that is because of the dedicated staff and volunteers. The folks that work at this shelter truly want to make Isle of Wight County a better place for pets and pet owners. They see the potential in every dog and cat that comes to their door and they try everyday to do what is best for each animal.

Anna Colleen

2018-05

Incredible people who are dedicated to making the lives of the animals they serve; comfortable, happy and complete.God bless them all.

tonya lovelette

2020-05

I would like to point out how special this shelter is. It is a small rural shelter ran by the Sheriff’s Department. They are an open intake shelter. This means they must accept every stray, owner surrender, and unwanted pet. When the hunting dog no longer hunts, when the senior dog gets a tumor, when the newness of the puppy wears off, or when you simply have to move....this shelter takes them all. They do this with a very limited budget and a very limited staff. They rely on a strong and dedicated volunteer force. They dedicate countless hours outside of the “work day” to the well-being of the animals. They network with other shelters and rescues to find other avenues for the animals. The rescues are amazing. They take the labs and bassets that are heartworm positive, have broken legs, tumors, or are slow from old age. The staff and volunteers are always scooping poop, walking dogs, cleaning wounds, giving baths, doing laundry, and trying to find the perfect match for the fur-babies. This shelter is a true hidden gem in the IOW. Please take the time to visit. Volunteer if you can!!

steven speciale

2020-05

The saddest shelter I've been to. First the dogs you see online, some they have never heard of.ok.so I go back to see the others and the dogs that have healthy pics online now look so starved i could see their spine and hip bones. Then the stench was unlike other shelters in surrounding cities. Horrible. Many dogs tried to hide when they saw me. Others were Very aggressive, attacking the gate. Then there were some that had no reaction. Not even lifting their head. Only 2 dogs happily came to the gate for a treat. This is unlike most shelters. The dogs are usually eager to meet you, often sitting against the gate to be pet. This place looks like the animals have been abused and neglected. I hope this place turns around

Stephanie Seymour

2019-05

Haven't been to the shelter but went to the event Rumble for Rescues at Daniels Performance Group and everyone was great, especially the women on the ambulance. My 2 year old loves ambulances but he can be shy and they were so inviting and kind. Very impressed :)

Devon Nier

2021-05

I would love to share a positive story of adoption from this humane society, however, they refused to call me back for 4 days in a row now. I called one day, they stated they would call me back, but never did. I then called the very next day, no one answered, so I left a message and a call back number and have waited for 2 days..no call back. It saddens me, because they are working against themselves to successfully have animals adopted. I was ready to go down at a minutes notice to adopt...

Martha Fontaine Byrum

2021-05

Our experience was awesome and came home with two lovable fur babies.

Jonathan Jarman

2020-05

Our pound had a successful adoption marathon for the holidays so we stumbled on this one and made the 6hr round trip drive today. We called yesterday about Bennie the mastiff. The lady said he could sit, shake, and lay down and come from a home with kids. We were like, “pound jackpot” here we come. Well when we get there suddenly they don’t know much about him except he’s recently attacked a 14yr old. They tell us he’s a no-go bc we have 7yr and 7mo old. However, we are free to take him out and try. He was extremely head shy and didn’t listen to any commands. I ask about “spot” a gorgeous all white pitbull pup with a black spot. They tell me he’s on legal hold and can’t be shown, walked, nor an application can’t be filed due to stray legal hold. I told her I’d come back the day he’s available at opening and be first in line, she said first application in doesn’t guarantee the dog😐- wait, huh? Then we looked at a lab and then a German shepherd. Every dog we wanted was suddenly headed to a rescue or on medical hold for vet reasons. Like WTH? If I’m willing to adopt screw the rescue. They told us we could call the rescue and file through them. Pound adoptions $90 rescue adoption is $400+. After all this they tell us a pitbull named Casper would be great and could go home today. In the kennel he’s great, outside he tries to attack every other dog in sight with extreme prejudice and he’s jacked even for a pit. -yeah he’s great for a house with kids🤯. No one here is on the same page nor seems to know anything. A lot of the dogs are sick looking, a few their ribs and hips are showing. Pounds like these are the reason people continue to buy puppies, no hassle no paperwork and no judgement. I could adopt a kid easier than a dog from these people.

Melisa Williams

2021-05

I understand we are all doing what we can during this difficult time but the "Covid hours" are absolutely ridiculous if you want to find these animals a new home. 12-3, Tuesday through Saturday. No one is off work 12-3. It's just sad because all the animals deserve homes but I don't see that happening with those hours. Even with appointment only, no one is off work 12-3. It's just sad because we had one or two dogs and cats in mind.

Makeba Jones

2020-05

I went to adopt a cat for my kid to have a companion and they would not even allow me to fill out the paperwork. They kept telling me to come back the next day to see the other cats. I’m wondering what is wrong with what you have here now. They all need loving homes. She had no explanation other than the other cats had visited nursing homes. I felt very discriminated against and my kid was heartbroken

Rebecca Wilkinson

2020-05

I adopted a dog recently the staff are wonderful, they take their time to make sure all your questions and concerns are answered. The shelter is very nice, clean and well managed. Great place to adopt

Dee & Crew

2021-05

I just recently adopted a kitten last Friday. The staff was very nice. They helped out a lot. My new kitten is enjoying her new home and is very spoiled. I love her so much.❤️

stephanie copes

2019-05

I asked about one of the dogs and two of the ladies were very rude and snappy.the dogs were all shaking and cold because there was no heat for them and all of the doors were open because they were painting. I feel terrible for the animals held here! Needless to say I will not be returning to this shelter!!

Brett “BBRIBBS” Ribblett

2020-05

My daughter and I adopted our kitten (Zelda) from here. The staff is friendly and the facility is clean and welcoming. Great place to meet and adopt a furmaily member.

T Booker

2022-05

I needed to get a license for my dogs. The staff was very helpful. They were able to answer all my questions. A process I thought to be drawn out literally took a couple of minutes.

Terry England

2019-05

I would never ever buy an animal from this place. Not all but some of the people are rude and have no idea what they are talking about when speaking. All the animals were cold and shaking because outside doors were open. I have been told by several other they had terrible experience with them also so if you want to help an animal go someplace else.

John Hudson

2021-05

I had a wonderful experience here. Hayley had a lot of patience with me. And in the end I took Jerry to his new forever home. I definitely recommend them.