Adopting a dog?
Surrendered dogs can be adopted immediately unless there is a medical or behavioral reason why they are not available for adoption. Smyth County Animal Shelter will keep a dog for 5-10 days so that the owner can claim it before we can put the dog up for adoption. If you are interested in a particular dog before its available date please contact us. We would like a dog to go to a new home or rescue as soon as possible after its 'available' date.

Dogs that have not been spayed/neutered are only permitted to go to homes in Grayson, Wythe, Bland, Tazewell, Russell, Washington and Smyth counties.

• Residents of Smyth County and adjacent counties (Grayson, Wythe, Bland, Tazewell, Russell, Washington) may adopt pets from Smyth County Animal Shelter with proper identification required.
• To adopt a dog you must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must provide a picture ID with a current address at the time of the adoption.
• Each pet is required to be vaccinated for rabies within seven days of adoption, if it is four months of age or older. Rabies vaccination is required for each pet, upon turning four months of age.
• Every new owner of a pet adopted from Smyth County Animal Control Shelter shall have the pet sterilized within thirty days of the pet turning six months of age, or within thirty days if the pet is over six months of age.
• Out of state adoptions must be spayed or neutered before leaving Virginia.
• Return of the proper paperwork (sterilization and rabies certificates) is required within seven days of sterilization.
• State law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated for rabies.

Vaccination and Licensing of Smyth County Pets

• The owner or custodian of all dogs and domestic cats, four months of age and older, shall have them currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
• It shall be unlawful for any person to own a dog or cat four months of age and older without proper licensing. Smyth County Pet Licensing runs by the calendar year, from January 1 until December 31. The pet license may be obtained from the Smyth County Treasurer's Office when you show receipt of current rabies vaccination for your pet.

Make sure that you are able to take your dog home on the day you adopt it. We will not keep a dog for you after its 'available' day.

If you have any questions about adopting a dog, please call the shelter and speak with a member of our shelter staff who has daily interaction with our dogs. You can reach us at 276-646-2222. If it is after hours, please leave us a voicemail.

Find the right dog for you
When looking for that new family member please remember to really think about the things you and your family want and need in a pet that fits the family lifestyle. Get to know your breeds! Some breeds require more space, exercise and circumstances than others. Even if you are going to adopt a mixed breed, look into what it's primary breed needs in a home, environment and exercise. Your new family member needs to be wanted by everyone in the family and included in your daily lives to be truly happy. Click here for more information on how to find the right dog.

Visiting Smyth County Animal Shelter
Please phone us on 276-646-2222 option1 to check that the dog you want to visit is still available.
Location Map of Marion, VA