Our Relationship to the City of Charlottesville & Albemarle County

In addition to functioning as a nonprofit animal shelter, the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA serves another important community function by providing pound services to the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.  Local governing bodies, such as the City and County, must provide certain pound services in accordance with guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  The SPCA receives compensation for the pound services we provide. Working closely with our City and County partners, the SPCA receives animals surrendered to or impounded by the area’s animal control officers.

In our role as the pound, from time to time, our local courts deem the SPCA as the custodian of animals subject to court action. As the pound, the SPCA must adhere to all local/state laws and regulations governing its operation. We ensure that all animals that are lost or surrendered to the pound receive proper medical treatment and shelter. In compliance with state law, we try to adopt every animal we are able to that comes into our care under our governing contracts with the City and County. We have positive and close-working relationships with the animal control officers and other law enforcement with an interest in the welfare of animals. We are proud to provide this service in our community.