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Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Fairfax

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is Fairfax County’s only open-access municipal shelter. We take in stray animals in need, owner surrendered companion animals when the owner is no longer willing or able to care for them, and animals who have been seized or taken into custody by Animal Protection Police. We accept all companion animals from Fairfax County who are in need of care, regardless of health, age, temperament, or history. We do not euthanize for space or length of time, and all adoptable animals are given every opportunity for a new home and family. We have an incredibly compassionate staff, and we also have vibrant and active volunteer and foster programs. We know that every animal who enters our shelter will be given the best care and shown boundless love while they are in our care, and while they wait for their forever family to adopt them. We are very proud that, since 2013, our positive release rate has been over 90% each year!

Contact
visit shelter
Website
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/
Phone
(703) 830-1100
Donation
Donate to this rescue
Email
animalshelter@fairfaxcounty.gov

Meet their adoptable pets

4500 West Ox Road,
Fairfax, VA, 22030

See every new pet that comes to this shelter!

Create an alert, and we'll notify you every time a new pet comes in who meets your criteria.

Adoptable pets at Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Fairfax
Photo of Mom Bennet (& Mom Darcy)

Mom Bennet (& Mom Darcy)

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Adult
Fairfax, VA
Photo of Mom Darcy (& Mom Bennet)

Mom Darcy (& Mom Bennet)

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Adult
Fairfax, VA
Photo of Vagabond

Vagabond

Domestic Shorthair/Domestic Shorthair

Male, Adult
Fairfax, VA
Photo of Snickers

Snickers

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Adult
Fairfax, VA
Photo of Honey

Honey

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Adult
Fairfax, VA
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Photo of Cooper

Cooper

Mixed Breed (Large)

Male, Adult
Fairfax, VA
Photo of Mimi

Mimi

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Adult
Fairfax, VA
Photo of Claire

Claire

Mixed Breed (Medium)

Female, Adult
Fairfax, VA
See Adopted Pets

Shelter FAQs

Fairfax County

  • 1. Visit the Facility and Find a Pet

Additional adoption info

1 - Look at adoptable pets online, and when you see one you want to meet and possibly adopt, come into the shelter to visit with your prospective pet.
2 - Once at the shelter, walk through to see available pets and then visit with the one(s) you are considering adopting. A volunteer or staff member will facilitate the visit and tell you more about the pet you’re visiting.
3 - Once you decide that you would like to adopt, head to the main lobby to complete our brief adoption questionnaire and wait to speak with one of our adoption counselors to go over any questions you might have. We'll go over all of the available behavioral and medical history of the pet you want to adopt.
4 - Complete your adoption! Most pets can go home the day they are adopted, but some must be picked up one or two days later after their spay/neuter appointment.
Notes: 1) Some pets are in foster homes, and that is noted in their bio. If you are interested in a pet who is in a foster home, please email the shelter to arrange a visit. 2) Some special needs animals will be adopted on a best-fit basis, rather than the usual first-come-first-served.

Adoption application

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt/steps

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/donate

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Get adoption advice

How to prepare for bringing a new shelter or rescue pet home
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Get adoption advice

Introducing a new pet to your existing pets
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Get adoption advice

How to navigate common bumps in the adoption process

Pets at shelters & rescues near Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Fairfax

Chasing Colt Animal Rescue

Catharpin, VA 20143

Animal Rescue of Maryland

Sunderland, MD 20689

Homeward Bound Schnauzer Rescue

PO Box 633,
Millersville, MD 21108

Photo of Rouie

Rouie

Siberian Husky

Female, 2 yrs 1 mo
Sunderland, MD
Photo of Yue Kuwait (Bonded w/Diva Kuwait)

Yue Kuwait (Bonded w/Diva Kuwait)

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Adult
Merrifield, VA
Photo of Keiko

Keiko

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 10 yrs 10 mos
Greenbelt, MD
Photo of Benji

Benji

Australian Cattle Dog

Male, Adult
Arlington, VA
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Photo of RuRu

RuRu

German Shepherd Dog

Male, Adult
Frederick, MD
Photo of Amy

Amy

Labrador Retriever/Hound (Unknown Type)

Female, 5 yrs
Frederick, MD

Search for a dog or cat

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