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Do not forget to bring your pets inside when it is too cold outside. IF IT IS TOO COLD FOR YOU, IT IS TOO COLD FOR THEM! The law says: During cold weather, a dog shelter must have a windbreak at its entrance and have bedding material that is sufficient to protect the animal from cold and promote the retention of body heat.
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Sex: Male
Neutered: Yes
Age: Young
Color: Tabby
Coat: Short
Vaccinated: Yes
House Trained: Litter box trained
Children: OK with children
Other Dogs: OK with dogs
Cats: OK with cats
Notes: Big Bob came into the animal shelter as a stray. He is very affectionate and would be a great TV buddy. Loves to sit and be petted.
If you are interested in Big Bob, phone 804-443-0726 for an appointment to meet him at Essex County Animal Shelter. We are open Wednesday - Sunday: 11am - 4pm. The adoption application form can be picked up at the shelter during opening hours or online here.
Available for adoption on this date: Jan 16th, 2026
Cats are claimed, adopted and rescued everyday so please contact us to check that this cat is available.
Click here to check this cat is still available (RescueMe)
The adoption fee is $45 which includes a rabies vaccination.
The adoption fee for cats includes spaying or neutering, a rabies vaccine (given when the animal is sterilized), feline FVRCP (Feline Viral rhinothracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia) and a microchip. Adopters will leave the Shelter with an appointment already scheduled at one of our local vet clinics for the spay or neuter of their new pet. For more information see our Adoption Information page.
For animals that have not been spayed or neutered: adoptions are open to residents of Essex, Westmoreland, Richmond, Middlesex, Caroline, King George, King and Queen Counties, VA.. If an animal is already spayed or neutered then it is available to be adopted by anyone (even out of state residents). Phone to check that the cat is available and what paperwork is required from you.Make sure that you are able to take your cat home on the day you adopt it. We will not keep a cat for you after its "available" day.
- Residents of Tappahannock and adjacent counties (Essex, Westmoreland, Richmond, Middlesex, Caroline, King George, King and Queen Counties, VA.) may adopt pets from Essex County Animal Shelter with proper identification required. If you live outside this area you can adopt a pet, but the pet must be spayed/neutered before it leaves the shelter.
- To adopt a cat you must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must provide a picture ID with a current address at the time of the adoption.
- Each pet is required to be vaccinated for rabies within seven days of adoption, if it is four months of age or older. Rabies vaccination is required for each pet, upon turning four months of age.
- Every new owner of a pet adopted from Essex, Westmoreland, Richmond, Middlesex, Caroline, King George, King and Queen Counties, VA. shall have the pet sterilized within thirty days of the pet turning six months of age, or within thirty days if the pet is over six months of age.
- Out of state adoptions must be spayed or neutered before leaving Virginia.
- Return of the proper paperwork (sterilization and rabies certificates) is required within seven days of sterilization.
- State law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated for rabies.
For more information see our Adoption Information page