Wildlife removal in Virginia
Virginia DWR regulates commercial wildlife work through the Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit. Virginia has the strictest relocation rule of any state we cover: trapping and relocating wildlife to another location is illegal for everyone, including licensed operators. The lawful outcomes after trapping are on-site release or humane euthanasia.
Get connected with a provider in Virginia
Call (833) 555-0100Calls answered 24/7. No obligation.
EmergencyAnimalRemoval.com is an independent connection service. We are not a government animal control agency and do not directly perform wildlife removal. When you call, you may be connected with an independent, third-party wildlife removal provider or a partner call center. We may be compensated when callers are connected with a partner provider. Availability, services, pricing, and licensing vary by location.
What Virginia law allows
- Commercial work requires a Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit (CNAP). Captured wildlife legally remains property of the Commonwealth while held.
- Trapping and relocating wildlife to another location is illegal in Virginia - for private individuals and licensed operators alike.
- CNAP holders may transport animals off-site only for humane dispatch, not for release elsewhere.
- DWR recommends operators handling rabies-vector species get a pre-exposure rabies vaccination series.
Rules paraphrased from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) — the primary source. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
Relocation rules
Relocation is flatly illegal in Virginia. After trapping, the only lawful outcomes are on-site release or humane euthanasia. Any "humane relocation" marketing for Virginia work is inaccurate.
Bat rules
Virginia providers handle bats through exclusion. DWR recommends rabies pre-exposure vaccination for anyone regularly handling bats, foxes, raccoons, groundhogs, or skunks.
Covered cities in Virginia
Roanoke
Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, gray squirrels, bats
Lynchburg
Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, gray squirrels, groundhogs
Fredericksburg
Independent city · Common calls: bats, gray squirrels, raccoons
Suffolk
Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, snakes, opossums
Hampton
Independent city · Common calls: raccoons, gray squirrels, bats
Virginia wildlife law FAQs
Is it legal to trap and relocate a wild animal in Virginia?
No - full stop. Virginia law prohibits relocating trapped wildlife to another location for private individuals and licensed operators alike. Lawful outcomes are on-site release or humane euthanasia, which is why sealing entry points is the fix that actually matters.
What permit should a Virginia wildlife removal provider hold?
A Commercial Nuisance Animal Permit (CNAP) from the Department of Wildlife Resources. While an animal is in an operator’s possession, it legally remains property of the Commonwealth.
Talk to someone about your animal problem now
Call (833) 555-0100Calls answered 24/7. No obligation.
EmergencyAnimalRemoval.com is an independent connection service. We are not a government animal control agency and do not directly perform wildlife removal. When you call, you may be connected with an independent, third-party wildlife removal provider or a partner call center. We may be compensated when callers are connected with a partner provider. Availability, services, pricing, and licensing vary by location.