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Dog-Friendly Norfolk Guide
Adopted your new best friend from Norfolk Animal Care Center? Check out some great local places to take your pup and start making memories together. Don’t have a dog (yet)? You can still enjoy a day out with one through the NACC Pack Adventures program—giving a shelter dog a much-needed break and a chance to shine.
Dogs are available for NACC Pack Adventures seven days a week. You can check a dog out as early as 11:00 AM, and they must be returned to the shelter by 4:00 PM.
To participate, simply stop by Norfolk Animal Care Center during adventure hours. Staff will walk you through a quick process that includes signing a waiver, reviewing basic guidelines, and making a copy of your ID. Participants must be 18 years or older. Please note: Pack Adventures will not run on days when weather conditions are not safe for field trips. Learn more here.
Not sure where to take your adventure buddy? Norfolk is full of dog-friendly places perfect for a day out:
Norfolk Botanical Garden (Sunday's only)
Leashed pets are seasonally welcome to join you on the white sands of the popular and pet-friendly Ocean View Beach in Norfolk, VA. No dogs or domestic animals are allowed on beaches from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM seasonally, beginning the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
A local favorite with walking trails, open green space, and plenty of room to explore.
Great for a downtown outing with water views, open space, and lots of new sights and smells.
Take a longer walk or bike alongside the waterfront—ideal for more active dogs.
PETA’s Bea Arthur Dog Park (nearby in Norfolk)
A fully fenced dog park where social pups can safely play and burn off energy.
Grab a coffee and relax on the patio with your adventure pup by your side.
A dog-friendly brewery that supports cats too by hosting Norfolk Animal Care Center's Annual Meower Shower
Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome to sit indoors and outdoors
Hang out on the beautiful rooftop with your dog and pour yourself a beer at their self-pour draft wall
Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio
View more dog-friendly parks and establishments here.
Even a few hours outside the shelter can make a huge difference. These adventures reduce stress, provide mental stimulation, and give dogs a much-needed break from kennel life. They also help potential adopters see who these dogs truly are—beyond the kennel door.
Some dogs even find their forever homes thanks to NACC Pack Adventure photos and stories shared on social media.
Ready to Go on an Adventure? Stop by Norfolk Animal Care Center and meet your adventure buddy today!
