City of Fairfax Animal Shelter

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.