Friends is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising partner of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
04/03/2025
Make your family complete!
Some dogs feel like they've always been part of your life—even if you just met. That's Rocky Rizz. At 10 years old, he's wise, patient and gentle. He has lived with cats, walks politely on a leash, knows how to sit, will do anything for a treat and handles bath time like a pro.
Rocky is part of our Second Chance Paws campaign- his adoption fee is waived, and adopters will receive a $500 credit to Pender Veterinary Centre funded by us!
Learn more about Rocky Rizz and all the adoptable pets at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.
04/02/2025
Thank you, Cafe Kindred, for shining a light on Oscar – a gentle senior dog who is young at heart!
Oscar is a 29-pound senior gentleman dog who is truly young at heart! He is spry and handsome for his age. Beneath Oscar’s scruffy golden coat lies a sweet soul with a big heart. While Oscar is initially shy when meeting new people, allowing him to approach you calmly at his own pace will lead to a loyal friendship. Oscar is a mellow dog who enjoys leisurely strolls in nature. He arrived at the shelter as a stray, and when the owner did not reclaim him, he was prepared for adoption. Oscar’s history with other animals is largely unknown, but he was tolerant and established his boundaries when introduced to another dog at the shelter. If you have another canine family member, please bring them along to meet Oscar to ensure he's a good fit for your pack.
Guess what! Oscar is a pet eligible for an Adoption Audition! What is an Adoption Audition? It’s a 5-day, no-strings-attached, trial adoption period. You can take this pet home to try it out!
Interested in Oscar? It’s easy to learn more about her and even take her on a five-day Adoption Audition. Visit his profile at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt to start your journey towards bringing Cali Mae into your home.
Both shelter locations are open during the following days and hours: Open Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12-5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 12-7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
04/02/2025
04/01/2025
Princess is a a lovely white and orange DSH mix. She's been at the shelter since the beginning of February, and the shelter staff think she's about 1 year and a half old. Princess is an absolute vision. A tiny, round little pear of a cat with stunning yellow-green eyes and a heart-shaped freckle ...
04/01/2025
Let's get Rocky Rizz adopted!
Some dogs feel like they've always been part of your life—even if you just met. That's Rocky Rizz. At 10 years old, he's wise, patient and gentle. He has lived with cats, walks politely on a leash, knows how to sit, will do anything for a treat and handles bath time like a pro.
As one of our select senior pets, his adoption fee is waived, and adopters will receive a $500 credit to Pender Veterinary Centre, thanks to our nonprofit fundraising partner, the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Learn more about Rocky Rizz and all our adoptable pets on our website: fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.
04/01/2025
Some dogs feel like they've always been part of your life—even if you just met. That's Rocky Rizz. At 10 years old, he's wise, patient and gentle. He has lived with cats, walks politely on a leash, knows how to sit, will do anything for a treat and handles bath time like a pro.
As one of our select senior pets, his adoption fee is waived, and adopters will receive a $500 credit to Pender Veterinary Centre, thanks to our nonprofit fundraising partner, the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Learn more about Rocky Rizz and all our adoptable pets on our website: fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.
03/31/2025
Thank you, Paw Pals Pet Sitting, for sponsoring Princess!
Princess (A0056911564, located in Fairfax) is a vision: a tiny, round, little pear-shaped cat with stunning yellow-green eyes and a heart-shaped freckle on her nose. She is incredibly curious, scratches her scratch pad when processing emotions (relatable), and is a delightful mix of confidence and caution, social yet independent, and friendly yet in no rush to prove it to you. If Princess were a person, she would avoid those situations entirely. The uncertainty about where faces go would send her over the edge. Given her discerning feelings about attention, Princess seeks a home without human children, where she is the only pet. She’s also an adorable little thing. She meows and purrs, arches her back when receiving pets and scratches, and will come when called… mostly. She enjoys attention—on her terms—because she has a good head on her shoulders and some wisdom about the world.
Misunderstood? Sometimes. Particular? Sure. Fun to be around? Absolutely. If you’re looking for a cat who is funny, smart, coy with her affection, and a little bit sassy but always worth it, Princess is ready to move in.
Interested in meeting Princess? Both shelter locations are open during the following days and hours: Open Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12-5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 12-7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
03/30/2025
For our Sunday Success Story, we are featuring a special one from 2019! Friends loves helping all types of animals! Hope this brings some joy and starts your week off with a happy, positive vibe!
03/28/2025
Look at Cali Mae!!!
Thank you to Fox 5 DC for having some of our pets in the studio today! They had a fantastic time meeting everyone, but the real star of the show was 10-year-old Cali Mae, to no one's surprise. She charmed the entire studio—making friends with everyone, striking picture-perfect poses and happily rolling over for belly rubs!
Cali Mae is also one of our select senior dogs with a waived adoption fee and a $500 credit to Pender Veterinary Centre, thanks to our nonprofit fundraising partner, the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter!
Learn more about Cali Mae and all our adoptable pets at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.
03/28/2025
Bringing a senior pet into your home can be such a heartwarming adventure, bringing joy and companionship to both you and your furry friend!
Check out the six homeless pets featured in our Second Chance Paws Campaign. They are available for adoption at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. For more info on the adoption process and pet, go the https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt-dog
If you adopt one these featured pets, adopters will get $500 toward care at the Pender Veterinary Centre and their adoption fees are waived.
03/27/2025
Looking for a best friend to nap, walk, or binge-watch TV with? Ace Orejas is your guy! His name means “ears” in Spanish—one look, and you’ll see why.
His foster mom describes him best: “He's a sweetheart with a big personality and the funniest ways of expressing himself. He loves crinkle toys, duck jerky, and cuddles but is always up for an adventure. Loud noises can make him nervous, but reassurance and treats help. He’ll be your most loyal companion if you do the same for him.”
Ace would thrive in a quiet, pet-free home without young kids. Not only is his adoption fee waived, but thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, his adoption also includes a $500 credit to Pender Veterinary Centre!
Since Ace is in a foster home, if you're interested in meeting him, email [email protected] to schedule an appointment. He can’t wait to meet you!
03/23/2025
We decided to do a reel this time for our Sunday Success Story
03/21/2025
Join us Friday, March 21, for our Vaccine and Microchip Clinic from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at our Lorton Campus.
Not sure if your pet is already microchipped? Ask staff and volunteers to scan your pet and find out!
Find out more about our Vaccine and Microchip Clinics at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/petresources
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter:
Videos
Make your family complete!
Some dogs feel like they've always been part of your life—even if you just met. That's Rocky Rizz. At 10 years old, he's wise, patient and gentle. He has lived with cats, walks politely on a leash, knows how to sit, will do anything for a treat and handles bath time like a pro.
Rocky is part of our Second Chance Paws campaign- his adoption fee is waived, and adopters will receive a $500 credit to Pender Veterinary Centre funded by us!
Learn more about Rocky Rizz and all the adoptable pets at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.
Check out the remaining senior pets available through our Second Chance Paws Campaign! Let's get them adopted!
#seniorpets #homelesspets #fairfaxcounty#adoptdontshop
We have something special to share as our Sunday Success Story! We feature two pets with visual impairments. Hoping this will start your week with a positive vibe!
#adoptdontshop #shelterpets #fairfaxcounty #SundaySuccessStory
Five years ago, Friends started a wonderful way to honor loved ones and help shelter pets --Tribute Garden! The Tribute Garden is located at the front entrance of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. It is a place for visitors to enjoy, rest, and reflect, as well as a tangible “thank you” for all who contribute, donate, and support our shelter.
As of today, Friends, with your invaluable support, has raised over $35,000 from the Tribute Garden. If you are interested in contributing, follow this link to our webpage: https://ffcas.org/ways-to-donate/friends-tribute-garden/
Little Baxter was adopted, But Tite is looking for his forever family. Help Tite find them!
#adoptdontshop #fairfaxcounty
Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Debbie Russell, Patricia Manning, Pam Miner, Kathy Joyce
Flashback Friday! Ms. Ginger Rogers volunteered with her Mom, President and Co-Founder, Evelyn Grieve, at the Lyon's Club! Sweetest volunteer ever!
#adoptdontshop #shelterpets #fairfaxcounty
Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter provided dental procedures for both of these shelter pets. Make these senior pets our next two success stories.
#adoptdontshop #shelterpets #adoptaseniordog #fairfaxcounty
By funding emergency medical care, behavior training, parasite prevention, dental care and spay/neuter, Friends joins in the Shelter’s effort to ensure every shelter pet is offered the best opportunity to find and remain in a loving forever home. This is what we do:
Medical: Friends funds professional veterinary care beyond what the County budget can provide. This includes many life-saving surgeries and therapies, but also includes procedures to improve the adoptability of shelter pets, such as removal of a mass (tumor).
Dentals for Adoption: Friends funds dental care for shelter pets with periodontal disease graded at three or higher based upon a scale of zero (normal) to four (severe). After a thorough cleaning, required extractions, and any other necessary treatments, dogs and cats are now putting their best-face forward for potential adopters.
Forever Home Training: Well-intended families sometimes bring a dog to the Shelter after deciding the dog’s behavior is not making for a happy home. To help ill-mannered but otherwise awesome dogs find a true forever home, Shelter leadership believed training was the answer. To help reduce adoption returns, Friends is funding both pre- and post-adoption training.
PawFax: For older shelter pets, Friends funds a thorough medical exam to offer potential adopters a true health overview. PawFax consists of a series of tests including blood work, urinalysis and x-rays. In most cases, tests highlight a pet’s good health, and in some cases, tests identify critical health issues which can then be addressed.
Parasite Prevention: Friends funds the Shelter’s breakthrough, comprehensive parasite prevention program that administers flea, tick, and worm prevention to all dogs, cats and rabbits upon Shelter intake.
Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR): Friends supplements the County’s budget to provide low cost spay and neuter for community cats.
Collars and Tags: Friends provides a collar and personalized tag to every adopted dog and cat, and every dog receives a leash.
Pilot Projects: Friends occasionally funds pilot projects, which are sometimes picked up by the Shelter, such as microchipping for every cat adopted from the Shelter.
Pet Haven: Many victims of domestic violence are unable to escape abusive situations because they’re worried about what will happen to their pets. For these victims, Friends funds temporary safe boarding and care to pets.
Pet Enrichment: Friends helps to improve quality of life for shelter pets by funding the purchase of enrichment toys, tools and foods.
Community Outreach: Friends sponsors special adoption events, and provides materials and other support to raise Shelter awareness.
Pet Spotlight: A donation in honor of a shelter pet, brings attention to a pet that might otherwise be overlooked. The pet receives a Spotlight Badge on its cage, kennel or condo, and the pet is featured on Facebook.
Friends is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising partner of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
