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Search and see photos of adoptable pets in the Fairfax, VA area.

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City of Fairfax Animal Shelter

9836 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030

Contact Joyce Holden
Email joyce.holden@fairfaxva.gov
Phone (703) 385-7919
cats, birds, dogs, rabbits & small animals at City of Fairfax Animal Shelter
This shelter hasn't posted any pets that match these criteria.

Areas City of Fairfax Animal Shelter serves

We take in strays found in the City of Fairfax, Virginia and owner releases from residents of the City of Fairfax, Virginia.

We adopt animals out to citizens in the Northern Virginia Area.

City of Fairfax Animal Shelter's adoption process

Additional adoption info

we are a small jurisdiction that is contracted with a local animal hospital to act as our holding facility. it is best to call 703-385-7919 to make an appointment with our animal control staff to meet our adoptable animals. The animal hospital staff is happy to help potential adopters when possible. However, during busy appointment hours that can sometimes mean a long wait.

We adopt to residents of the Northern Virginia area. We do not adopt out of state.

Other than small kittens and small breed puppies all of our animals are spayed or neutered, Rabies vaccinated, given at least one Distemper combination vaccine and dewormed before they are adopted out. Cats are combo tested for FIV and Feline Leukemia. Dogs are Heart Worm tested. Small kittens and puppies are dewormed and receive all vaccinations appropriate for their age. Kittens are combo tested for FIV and Feline Leukemia.

Our normal adoption fees are $150 for animals which have already been spayed or neutered and $75 for kittens and small breed puppies which have not yet been spayed or neutered. Adopters have the option of paying the additional $75 if they wish to bring the pet back to our facility for spaying or neutering once the pet is old enough. Adoption fees on other small animals range from $10 to $20.

Occasionally, we will waive a portion or all of the adoption fee for elderly animals or animals with health conditions that require long term care.

We do not allow declawing of cats.

We typically do not perform home inspections. We do however contact a potential adopters current or previous veterinarian for a reference. If the adopter is a first time adopter than we conduct a first time owner interview where we spend time discussing with the potential adopter the responsibilities of owning a pet, the reasons why the animal they are interested in may or may not be a good match for them, the animal's behavior and what to expect as far as the needs or the animal.

About City of Fairfax Animal Shelter

We are the City of Fairfax's Animal Control Division. We are a small jurisdiction of less than 25,000 residents. Our Animal Control Officers work out of the City of Fairfax Police Department. We are contracted with an animal hospital to act as our shelter and holding facility. However, our animal control staff handles animal adoptions.

Having our shelter animals housed at an animal hospital allows them to be regularly monitored and examined by the veterinarians on staff.

Unfortunately, with our being such a small jurisdiction many citizens do not realize that we are separate from the larger surrounding jurisdiction of Fairfax County. With today's economy and the increase in pets being turned over by their owners we are finding it more and more necessary to reach out through media sites in order to educate the public and make them aware that we do in fact have a separate shelter.

City of Fairfax Animal Shelter's adopted pets

Adopt a Pet is the easiest way for you to search for a new pet in Fairfax, VA.

Support adoption and rescue. Why go to a dog breeder, cat breeder or pet store to buy a dog or buy a cat when you can adopt?

Why should you adopt?

Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life.

What is the difference between adopting a dog, adopting a cat, adopting a kitten or adopting a puppy versus getting dogs for sale, cats for sale, puppies for sale or kittens for sale from a dog breeder or a cat breeder?

When someone is breeding puppies or breeding kittens, they are creating new dogs and cats who need homes. Some people are interested in a very specific breed of dog, cat, puppy or kitten and they think the only way to find that specific breed is to buy a dog for sale or buy a cat for sale from a puppy breeder or a kitten breeder. Yet animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats who must find homes.

So rather than buying a dog or puppy for sale from a dog breeder or buying a cat or kitten for sale from a cat breeder, we encourage people to adopt a dog, adopt a cat, adopt a puppy or adopt a kitten at their local animal shelter, SPCA, humane society or pet rescue group.