County Department
Harrison County
Animal Control
Serving our community and protecting animals throughout Harrison County, West Virginia.
Our Mission
About Animal Control
Our facility provides services for stray animals in accordance with West Virginia State Law 19-20-6(b). We advertise all stray animals received to allow owners sufficient time to reclaim their pets. Our staff is dedicated to the humane treatment of all animals and the safety of Harrison County residents.
What We Do
Our Services
Animal Control provides a range of services to residents and animals throughout Harrison County.
Stray Animal Intake
Pet Reclaim Process
Dog Licensing & Tax Tags
Rabies Vaccination Compliance
Animal Adoptions
Lost & Found Pets
What You Need to Know
Important Information
Please review pet owner requirements and fee schedules before visiting our facility.
Pet Owner Requirements
- Current rabies vaccination required by State Law 19-20A-2
- Current tax tag (dog license) required — purchased yearly at the Assessor's Office, 2nd Floor, General Services Building, 229 South 3rd Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301
- License fees: $3.00 per dog outside city limits / $6.00 per dog within city limits
- Required for all dogs 6 months of age and older
- Proper identification on your pet significantly increases the chance of a quick return
Keeping your pet's vaccinations current and tag up to date is not only the law — it protects your pet and your community.
Reclaim Fee Schedule
Effective January 1, 2025
OffenseReclaimBoarding
1st Offense
$20$5/day
2nd Offense
$50$10/day
3rd Offense
$100$15/day
Additional fees apply for no tag (+$25) and no rabies vaccination (+$25/$45/$65 by offense). Fees increase for repeat offenders.
Dog Licensing
⚠️ Dog licenses are not issued at Animal Control. Please visit the Assessor's Office.
- Assessor's Office — 2nd Floor, General Services Building
229 South 3rd Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301 - $3.00 per dog outside city limits / $6.00 per dog within city limits
- Required for all dogs 6 months of age and older
- Licenses must be renewed yearly — required by West Virginia State Law
- A current rabies vaccination certificate is required at time of purchase
Important Notices
After Hours & Policies
Please review the following before contacting Animal Control.
After Hours Emergency Line
For after-hour emergencies, call (304) 626-4900
After-hours response is limited to:
- Animals hit by vehicles with no owner present
- Stray dogs that are confined
- Law enforcement related calls
⚠️ We do not respond after hours for animals at large that are roaming freely.
Wildlife Calls
⚠️ Harrison County Animal Control has no license to work with wildlife.
Wildlife-related calls must be directed to the West Virginia DNR:
Dog Bites
- Dog bites must be treated at a medical treatment center. A bite report is filed through the hospital and sent to the Harrison County Health Department.
- Pet owners are responsible for quarantining their pet for a 10-day rabies observation period. Failure to comply may result in fines.
- Civil suits for damages may be filed through the Harrison County Courthouse.
Additional Policies
- Dog-on-dog fights resulting in injury require veterinary care and are subject to civil suit.
- Animals left at the facility with no officer present will result in abandonment charges — regardless of whether the animal is owned or stray.
- Ear-tipped cats are not accepted at our facility. Ear-tipped cats have been spayed/neutered using grant funding — accepting and euthanizing them would result in wasted grant resources.
Support Our Animals
Help us care for the animals at our facility. You can donate supplies through our Amazon Wishlist, follow us on Facebook for adoptable pets, or contact us directly.