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1. What do I do if I find a bat in my house?

Contact the Health Department or the Animal Control Office. If you have been exposed to the bat then a health exposure report will need to be filed and the bat will need to be captured for analysis. If you feel that you have bats in a noncommon area (examples: attic, roof, etc.) then you will need to contact an exterminator or wildlife removal service.

2. What do I do if I have nuisance wildlife in my yard or property?

Wildlife is a common issue when living in more rural areas. We strongly advise to not leave food out for wildlife. Also, if you have outdoor companion animals we suggest making adjustments so that wildlife does not have access to their food. There are wildlife removal services that can trap the animals and remove them from your property, however, Animal Control Division is not sanctioned to remove nuisance animals within the City of Martinsville.

If the animal poses an immediate threat to you or your companion animals you can contact Animal Control during business hours or the contact the Police Department after hours and an officer will come to assist in the immediate threat.

3. What if I see an injured animal?

Contact Animal Control through the non-emergency communications number so that an officer can be dispatched to assist.

4. What do I do if my animal has gone missing?

Contact the Animal Control Office. If no one answers leave a detailed message and an officer will return your call as soon as possible.

Inform your neighbors and utilize social media to help locate your missing animal.

The Shelter is open Monday through Friday and allows the public to come and see the animals to see if your companion is located at the shelter.

5. I want to surrender my companion animal, what do I do?

The Martinsville City Animal Control and Shelter strives to help citizens with their companion animals. We have many resources that can help you with your animals. The preferred option is for owners to find a home for their companion animals. The last resort is surrendering the animal to the shelter. If this is your option please contact the Animal Control office and the officer will walk you through the steps of how to turn the animal over.

6. How do I adopt an animal from the shelter?

At the Martinsville Animal Shelter, we partner with the Martinsville Henry County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The SPCA handles our adoptions and all applications and fees are turned in to the SPCA. The Animal Control Office has copies of the applications and a digital form can be found on the Martinsville Henry County SPCA website.

7. Can I hunt in Martinsville City?

Hunting in Martinsville City is regulated by the Department of Wildlife Resources. Martinsville City only allows Urban Archery you may not discharge a firearm within the City limits.

Hunters must obtain written permission from the property owner. No firearms other than a bow and arrow may be in the hunter's possession. Discharge of an arrow is permitted only in order to take a deer. No discharge of an arrow shall be made toward any person, any animal other than a deer, any structure or any vehicle in such a manner as the arrow may strike such person, animal, structure, or vehicle, nor shall a discharge be made in such a manner that the arrow may strike in any roadway. Archery equipment can only be discharged from temporary platforms elevated at least seven feet above the ground. Any disabled hunter unable to hunt from such a platform must comply with all regulations established by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. No pursuit of an injured or wounded deer shall be permitted upon the land of neighboring landowners unless the hunter has first obtained permission from that landowner. No field dressing of deer shall be permitted without the permission of the landowner.

Any other questions regarding hunting can be directed to the Department of Wildlife Resources.