To most Winchester residents, their pets are like their children. We love them, care for them, and treat them better than actual family members in some cases! They are always happy to see us, and so it’s important that we give them the best life possible.
Enjoy the Ultimate Guide to Pets and Pet Care in Winchester VA and Frederick County! Think we’ve missed something? Contact us!
Registering Pets in Winchester and Frederick County
Registering your pets, especially cats and dogs, can help you locate your pets if they are lost, and helps the county make sure the public is safe by ensuring animals are getting vaccinated. In the city limits of Winchester VA all dogs over 4 months old must be registered for a license and wear tags. There is an online application located here. Applications must be completed by April 30th each year to avoid a late penalty and dogs should be wearing their tags by May 1st of each year.
If you live in Frederick County outside of Winchester City limits, dogs must be registered within 30 days of when they reach 4 months of age, with rolling registration yearly coinciding with their vaccination. In other words, when their vaccination runs out, you must get them vaccinated and update your registration. New registrations and updates can be completed here.
Each year the Esther Boyd Animal Shelter offers discounted rabies vaccinations to help residents, you can call or check their website for updates. The discount rate is usually less than $15.
Winchester Dog Parks
Getting our animals exercise is just as important for them as it is for us! Getting outside is also a great time to learn how to socialize with other dogs (and people!), get some energy out, practice skills like sitting and fetching, and just enjoying some vitamin D.
Winchester offers a dog park in Jim Barnett park to allow your dog to run off leash. There are separate areas for small and large dogs. All dogs must have current tags and vaccinations. You can learn more about the dog park and get the application online here.
Of course there are plenty of other places to walk your dog (or even your cat if you are brave!) Winchester’s walking mall is always full of families and their pets, local battlefields, walking trails, and parks are wonderful choices as well as long as you have doggie bags with you.
Winchester Pet Friendly Restaurants
After a day at the dog park, you and your trusted friend might need a break and a bite to eat. With a vibrant downtown walking mall, Winchester offers a number of outdoor dining areas that are dog friendly. As more restaurants open on the mall with outdoor patios, you can always ask if your pet is welcome to join you. Well behaved pets will pave the way for more pet friendly restaurants in the area.
As of right now, we know that the following restaurants welcome dogs in their outside spaces: Brewbakers, Joe’s Steakhouse, Roma’s Wood Fired Pizzeria, Union Jack Pub, Village Square, Village Market and Bistro.
Winchester Hotels That Allow Pets
If you have family traveling with pets to visit you, it can sometimes be difficult to acclimate new animals into your home, or you simply might not have space for all of the guests plus their pets. More and more hotels are allowing pets on the premises, usually for an additional fee.
Currently there is only one hotel in Winchester that does not charge extra, Motel 6 allows up to two pets under 50 lbs.
The other hotels that charge for pets include: TownePlace Suites (2 pets), Red roof Inn (1 pet), Best Western (2 pets), Candlewood Suites (2 pets), Wingate by Wyndham (2 pets), Travelodge (2 pets), Country Inn and Suites (2 pets), Super 8 (1 pet), Comfort Inn (2 pets), and Econo Lodge (1 pet). Rates vary, some charge a flat rate and others a per night fee per pet. If you are traveling with a pet other than a dog or cat, it is best to check with the hotel before making reservations.
Boarding and Veterinary Services in Winchester
Although we would love to be home everyday with our animals, work, travel, and life sometimes get in the way, but our pets still need the same unconditional love we provide. When you can’t be there, you can either board your pet at a local vet’s office or boarding service, or find in home care for your animals through a pet sitting service or even a local neighbor or friend that agrees to walk, feed, and spend quality time with them.
When choosing a pet sitter, consider having them meet with your pets beforehand so you can see them in action, including their body language and how your pets react to them. This is also a great time to discuss specifics and see if they can do anything else around the house while you are gone, especially if you are going on vacation. Watering plants and bringing in mail are often additions to pet sitting services. Also remember to check if they are insured and bonded in case of damages.
Two places to start your search for a pet sitter in the Winchester area are BAR Pet services and Fetch Pet Care.
Of course, your pets need medical care as well. Vaccinations, emergency medical care, or even just nail trimming for those sensitive dogs with anxiety, building a relationship with a veterinarian is an important part of raising animals. Winchester and Frederick County are home to several reputable vets including:
Colony Animal Hospital – Located at 2256 Papermill Rd, Winchester, VA 22601 Colony specializes in dogs and cats with limited services for ferrets and rabbits.
Apple Valley Pet – Apple Valley offers additional services like laser therapy and dental care in addition to normal vet offerings. They are located at 1207 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, VA 22602.
Berryville Ave Vet Clinic – Berryville also offers laser surgery and is located at 370 Battle Avenue, Winchester, VA 22601.
Kingdom Animal Hospital – Kingdom offers house calls for larger animals, grooming and boarding in addition to veterinary services. They are located at 125 Hopewell Ln, Clear Brook, VA 22624.
Plaza Pet – Located at 1855 Senseny Rd, Suite 7, Winchester VA 22602, Plaza Pet offers vet services and grooming.
Winchester Animal Hospital – If you have exotic pets, Winchester Animal Hospital is for you! They provide services for reptiles, small avians, ferrets and small mammals in addition to routine household pets. They are located at 901 North Loudoun St, Winchester VA 22601.
Linden Heights Animal Hospital – Linden Heights will also provide vet services for exotic animals in Winchester, including small pocket pets such as chinchillas and hedgehogs. They are located at 274 Linden Drive, Winchester, VA 22601.
Winchester Pet Groomers
We all feel better when we look amazing, and our pets are no different! Of course keeping them groomed can also help with allergies and fur maintenance issues. In addition to veterinary offices that provide grooming we have several other businesses dedicated to just grooming including Mobile Grooming Spa, Wash n Wag, House of DeTail, Creekside Grooming, and PetSmart.
Dog Trainers in Winchester
We all love well behaved dogs, but they certainly aren’t born that way! It takes, time, patience, and dedicated training. Dog trainers can help you tweak minor issues, help your children know how to interact with animals, and give you a full training program in classes or at your home.
Winchester dog trainers include Strategic Paws, Head of the Class Dog Training, Blue Ridge Dog Training Club, and Campbell’s Canine Camp.
Winchester Pet Shops
Winchester is also home to Posh Pets. Located on the downtown walking mall at 16 S. Loudoun St, Winchester, VA 22601, Posh Pets provides almost everything you could possibly need for your beloved dog or cat! From grooming to pet accessories such as bowls and leashes, to pet parties, training and pet socials, in home pet care, and special pet events!
Winchester Pet and Aquarium, PetSmart, and PetCo round out the stores to help you spoil your pet.
Pet Cremation in Winchester
Unfortunately our pets will also complete the circle of life. As pet owners face this rough time, more owners are choosing to cremate their pets and either spread their ashes or commemorate them in some way. A couple of local funeral homes now offer pet cremation services including All Pets Cremation, Jones Funeral Home, and the Winchester SPCA also offers cremation.
Pet Rescues and Pet Adoption in Winchester
Let’s face it, there are far too many cute pets to adopt. Whether you are looking to replace a lost friend, or you want to add to your collection, adoption and fostering are great options. Checkout the Winchester SPCA, and the Esther Boyd Animal Shelter for your next best friend.