Virginia Beach May Create Animal Cruelty Registry to Protect Pets

Virginia Beach is moving to create a public database of individuals convicted of animal cruelty, a move designed to shield pets from known abusers and give potential adopters a way to vet the community. The initiative follows a lead from neighboring Chesapeake, which established the region’s first such registry this fall.

This isn’t just a local preference; it’s a legal capability. A Virginia state law passed in 2024 explicitly allows localities to build computerized registries for felony convictions involving animal fighting, poisoning, maiming, or the killing of animals—including police animals. If the Virginia Beach City Council approves the plan, the city’s animal services administrator, Chris Mauldin, says his team could have the felony registry live by February.

Expanding the Scope of Accountability

While the state law provides the framework for felony tracking, some city leaders believe that isn’t a high enough bar. Councilman Michael Berlucchi, who requested the registry, is pushing for a broader reach. He wants the authority to include people convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty and those who have been legally barred from owning companion animals.

The distinction matters. A felony conviction is a severe legal threshold, but many instances of neglect or cruelty fall into the misdemeanor category. By attempting to include these offenders, Berlucchi is aiming for a more comprehensive safety net. He has already requested that this expansion be added to the city’s draft legislative agenda for the 2027 General Assembly session.

“It’s just another step that we can take to ensure that there’s less animal cruelty in our city and throughout the region,” Berlucchi said during a recent meeting.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on that legislative agenda on Nov. 17.

The Pressure on Animal Services

The push for a registry comes at a time when Virginia Beach’s animal infrastructure is operating at high capacity. The Animal Care and Adoption Center at 341 S. Birdneck Road typically houses over 200 animals daily, managed by a team of 11 caretakers. The sheer volume of intake shows why adoptions must go to safe homes.

Last year, the center processed 4,617 animals—primarily dogs and cats—but also saw a spike in poultry intakes (237) linked to a suspected cockfighting operation near Back Bay. In 2025, the center facilitated 1,968 adoptions. When you look at the numbers, the gap between intake and adoption is bridged by transfers to rescue organizations, returns to owners, and, in the most difficult cases, euthanasia.

Metric (2025)	Total Count
Total Animal Intakes	4,617
Total Adoptions	1,968
Animal Protection Service Calls	14,727
Animals Euthanized	539

Mauldin noted that euthanasia is reserved for severe medical issues or behavior that poses a genuine public safety threat. The operation is heavily reliant on volunteers who handle socialization, pack walks, and behavioral training—tasks the core staff simply doesn’t have the hours to complete.

The Debate Over Public Shaming vs. Public Safety

Crucially, it provides an exit ramp: an individual can request removal from the registry after 15 years, provided they have no subsequent felony convictions.

For the city’s animal services bureau, however, the registry is viewed as a pragmatic vetting tool. In a system where 14,727 service calls were handled by the animal protection unit in a single year, having a centralized database to screen potential adopters reduces the risk of animals returning to abusive environments.

A Community-Wide Safety Net

The registry is one piece of a larger civic effort to manage the city’s animal population. The city currently operates a pet pantry for residents facing financial hardship and offers crisis boarding for emergencies to prevent animals from being surrendered due to temporary instability. They also run rabies and microchip clinics four times a year and partner with the sheriff’s office to allow eligible inmates to perform community service at the care center.

Beyond city-run services, the Virginia Beach SPCA, a private nonprofit operating since 1966, provides a secondary layer of support through affordable veterinary care and its own shelter on Holland Road.

As the Nov. 17 vote approaches, the central question remains whether the city will settle for the state-mandated felony list or push the General Assembly to allow a more inclusive, and potentially more controversial, registry of misdemeanor offenders.

Worth a look