Newport News Animal Welfare

05/22/2026

Here are our activities for the month of April 2026.

05/15/2026

Want to know what we did in March? Here you go!

05/15/2026

🚨 🚨 Over the past two weeks, we have unfortunately seen multiple cases of parvovirus enter the shelter through stray intake and owner surrender.

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease that primarily affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It attacks the intestinal tract and immune system, often causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, and rapid decline. The virus is extremely durable in the environment. The virus can sometimes last up to a year in cracks of concrete, yards, etc. This makes aggressive cleaning, isolation, and monitoring critical in shelter settings.

When suspected cases enter our facility, our team immediately shifts into response mode 💪

Veterinary staff, animal care staff, foster coordinators, supervisors, and volunteers work together to implement enhanced cleaning protocols, medical isolation, PPE procedures, population monitoring, and diagnostic testing — including parvo testing and titers to help assess exposure risks and protection levels within the shelter population.

These situations also remind us how important community support and responsible rehoming resources can be. During periods of increased medical concern, we encourage pet owners who are considering surrendering healthy animals to first explore alternatives such as rehoming through friends or family, speaking with rescue organizations, utilizing community pet resources, or contacting the shelter to discuss possible support options before bringing animals onsite.

This work is exhausting, emotional, and often happens quietly behind the scenes long after the public leaves for the day. But it matters deeply 💙💚

‼️ We also want to remind the community that vaccination 💉 remains the best protection against parvo. Puppies should begin vaccines early and continue boosters as recommended by a veterinarian. Keeping young or incompletely vaccinated dogs away from high-risk exposure areas can save lives ‼️

We are currently operating with normal public access hours, but that may change as we work to protect the shelter dogs and dogs received from the public.

We are incredibly proud of the teamwork, compassion, and resilience our staff continues to show while caring for some of the community’s most vulnerable animals.

04/24/2026

Congratulations to Animal Welfare Officer Hardy for completing the basic animal control officer academy at the Chesapeake Police Academy. The graduation ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon after nearly 4 weeks of training. Way to go, Officer Hardy!

03/24/2026

Want to join us in the exciting world of animal welfare? Then take your first step and apply, though May 5th!

https://www.nnva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2874/Animal-Control-Officer-PRT-Animal-Services

https://selfservice.nnva.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=37374026&sreq=2&form=GENL&desc=ANIMAL%20WELFARE%20OFFICER%20-%20ANIMAL%20CONTROL%20PRAS

MUNIS Self Services

12/18/2025

These two pups (1M/1F) were found running loose by the intersection of Briarfield Road and Marshall Ave., in Newport News near Heritage High School, today (Dec. 18th). They are currently at the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelterand can be reclaimed by the owner from 10am-5pm, any day of the week.

11/14/2025

Thank you to Poquoson Middle School for inviting us and the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter to their Career Day today! We had a great time talking to the students about our different animal welfare and shelter careers, and answering their questions about our jobs and their pets! (pictures courtesy of the Poquoson City Public Schools)

10/29/2025

Female corgi with a collar found at Newsome Park Elementary School will be going to Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter. Available to be picked up by owner everyday between 10a-5p. Will be on stray hold for 10days.

09/09/2025

If you have ever dreamed of becoming an Animal Welfare Officer? Then today is the day for you to apply to possibly be our next animal welfare pro! Click on the link below to get started!

Applications are being accepted through September 17th!

https://selfservice.nnva.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=37374026&sreq=1&form=GENL&desc=ANIMAL%20CONTROL%20OFFICER%20II%20-%20ANIMAL%20WELFARE

Send a message to learn more

07/18/2025

Hello!

While we greatly appreciate your information on potential problems being messaged to us, please call (757) 595-7387 (24/7/365) to report animal related concerns rather than using messenger or e-mail. You can report problems anonymously when you call and the information will get to our officers faster!

Thank you!