Prince William County, VA

Prince William County, Virginia Dog Resource Guide

This page serves as a resource guide for dog owners in Prince William County including: Manassas, Manassas Park, Bristow, Gainesville, Nokesville, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico, Triangle, Woodbridge, and Dale City, Virginia.

Local Laws and Ordinances that Affect Dog Owners

• Pooper Scooper Laws - The Prince William County pooper scooper law states that dog owners must clean up after their dog and under no circumstances may dogs poop on private property not belonging to their owner or on public property that is not designated as a dog run area.
• Licensing - Dogs must be licensed after they turn four months old and then annually after that. The fee is only five dollars per year. At the time of renewal you must show current vaccinations for each dog.
• Leash Laws - All dogs must be on a leash when outside of the owner’s property. This site gives numerous reasons to keep your dog on a leash, even saying that a leash is the best form of birth control for dogs!

Dog Parks and Dog Park Support Organizations

• Currently there are no dog parks in the Prince William area, but one is being discussed! A few meetings have already been held and several more will be taking place as the Park Authority attempts to determine if establishing a dog park is feasible.

Humane Societies and Animal Shelters

• Save A Dog Save A Cat is a nonprofit organization that attempts to find loving and safe homes for all pets, including formerly abandoned or abused pets. There is also an adoption form that people wanting to adopt must fill out in order to ensure that they are well suited to have a pet. Directed by Sherry Meier, employees are all devoted to only one thing and that is to bring joy to people by helping them adopt pets and to bring joy to pets by surrounding them with love.
• Noah’s Ark Foundation - This organization is dedicated to finding every pet a home. Arks (Animals Rescued and Kept Safe) are the foundation’s foster homes around the area with people that volunteer their home to care for pets. These volunteers are supplied with everything that they need in order to be an effective foster parent including toys and food. You can adopt a pet by attending an adoption event and filling out an application. All animals who are adopted are fully vaccinated.
• The Prince William SPCA is dedicated to protecting the domesticated pets of the area as well as helping to educate people about the problem of pet overpopulation. The organization encourages spaying and neutering your pet. This volunteer-run organization also wants to stop pets that are adoptable from being euthanized. For more information, or for a list of SPCA sponsored events, visit their website. Donations are always welcome and are tax-exempt.