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Tuesday 12pm - 5pm Wednesday 12pm - 5pm Thursday 12pm - 7pm Friday 12pm - 7pm Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 5pm

Fairfax County Animal Shelter

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Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Fairfax County Animal Shelter Fairfax County, VA's only open-access animal shelter. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter
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The purpose of official Fairfax County social media accounts is to present matters of public interest. We encourage you to submit your questions, comments, and concerns, but please note these are moderated online discussion sites. We recognize social media is a 24/7 medium, and your comments are welcome at any time. However, given the need to manage our staff resources (your tax dollars), we gener

ally only monitor comments and postings during regular business hours. Social Media Comments Policy: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/social-media-comments-policy

Política de comentarios en las redes sociales de Fairfax County: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/politica-de-comentarios-en-las-redes-sociales-de-fairfax-county

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The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is Fairfax County’s only open-access, municipal shelter. With 4,000 to 5,000 animals coming through our doors each year, the shelter provides a safe place for dogs, cats, and small animals like guinea pigs, rabbits and pet birds to stay while they wait for their forever families. At any given time, visitors to the shelter can choose from 40 cats and kittens, 25 dogs and puppies, and dozens of small animals, all available for adoption. We have a live release rate of over 90%, and are very proud of our excellent volunteer and foster programs, compassionate staff, progressive sheltering policies and practices, and the wonderful animal-loving community we're a part of!

02/23/2025

Adoption update!

Hamsters Timothy and Bernard are living the high life in their decked-out hamster mansions (or “ham-sions” for short!). They now spend their days running on their wheels and entertaining their doggy roommate.

If you’re in search of a small furry friend, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt to see all our adoptable pets!

02/22/2025

Have you ever wanted to take a shelter dog home for a few hours to relax? Or maybe for a nice long walk around a park? Then our Power Hour program might be a good fit for you!

Power Hours allow fosters to take a shelter dog offsite for a few hours to stretch their paws (and maybe enjoy a few extra special treats as well!).

Our foster info sessions for March are open. Space is limited, so sign up now at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/foster!

02/21/2025

Bonded pair Cosmos and Kuzo enjoy keeping each other occupied with…enlightening conversation. Visit the Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax to meet them!

02/21/2025

Merci has been searching for her new family since August, and she thinks it just might be YOU! This wonderful girl is just under 6 years old and filled with love! Merci’s favorite activity is binge watching your favorite shows while she snuggles up to you, wrapped in her blanket.

We asked Merci’s foster what they love most about her, and here is what they shared with us:

“It was hard to pick one thing that we love about Merci because she is such a great girl. We decided on "she is always happy to see us and strives to please." One of the best parts of my day is coming downstairs in the morning to find her snuggled on the couch in a blanket with my husband. She doesn't move, but as soon as she sees me, I hear the thump thump of her tail wagging.

-She’s the best sleeper. This little girl will happily sleep from 10: 30 PM until 11:00 AM. We have to wake her up to go outside and get her breakfast.
-She is an excellent cuddler while watching TV and will get as close as possible to snuggle with you.
-She LOVES toys, she will happily chew on a bone for an hour.
-She knows sit, stay, come and down and will do any of them for a delicious treat.
-Her belly and under her chin is so soft and she loves all the pets!”

Merci has also enjoyed playing with the neighbor’s dog through the fence and getting zoomies in the snow. Merci is an Adoption Audition candidate, meaning you can bring her home for a five-day, no-strings-attached trial period to see if she is a match for you!

She is waiting in foster to meet you! If you’d like to meet Merci, email [email protected] to arrange a time to come in and see her. Merci will also be at our Lorton Campus this Saturday, February 22. Stop by to meet her!

02/20/2025

Are you passionate about animal welfare and ready to make a meaningful impact in our community? Consider joining our team as an Animal Services Officer in our newly created Field Services Division!

For more information about what the Animal Services Officers position entails, visit:

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

02/20/2025

UPDATE: Adopted!

How could anyone resist that face? Timmy Chestnut is 17 pounds of pure love. He is happiest when he's near (or on top of) his people. He greets everyone with big tail wags and a smile. Timmy is also excited to meet other pups, whom he sees as potential best friends. He can brighten up any space and easily won over both our staff and his foster family.

Here is what his foster family had to say about his stay with them:

“Timmy has been with us since February 1 and he has been an absolute delight! From the moment we met, he has been playful and affectionate, and he has been a wonderful houseguest while he awaited his neuter surgery. He LOVES back and butt scratches and will often roll over and wiggle on his back when we do that. Stuffed toys are his favorite. Although he’s a small dog, he likes medium sized toys and it is a lot of fun to play tug and fetch with him. He can also entertain himself by thrashing around his toys on his own.

Timmy loves to meet people on our walks and outings! He will run up to our neighbors when we go on walks, and really seems to like meeting kids of all ages. We have a swag bag for Timmy to give to his new family. He's been a super sweet and affectionate little dog and we'll miss him!"

Timmy Chestnut is an Adoption Audition candidate. You can bring him home for a five-day, no-strings-attached trial period to see if he’s a good fit for your home.

Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt to learn more about Timmy Chestnut and all of our adoptable pets.

02/20/2025

Thanks to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Station 40 for hosting us for our February Vaccine and Microchip Clinic! We were able to provide care for many furry friends in our community and were happy to see both familiar and new faces.

Our next clinic will be tomorrow, Friday, February 21, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at our Lorton Campus.

For more information about our vaccine and microchip clinics, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/petresources.

02/19/2025

Do you recognize these found pets? Please help us find their families by sharing this post!

Please Note: These pets aren't available for adoption right now as we’re focusing on reuniting them with their families. We won’t be responding to adoption inquiries.

1. A0057846395
Date Found: 2/13
Location Found: Chantilly—near Rockland Village Dr. & Elmwood St.
Description: Brown and white female adult cat

2. A0057868758
Date Found: 2/18
Location Found: Annandale—near Lafayette Forest Dr. & Heritage Dr.
Description: Orange and white intact male adult cat

3. A0057852481
Date Found: 2/14
Location Found: Herndon—near Astoria Cir. & Rock Hill Rd.
Description: Gray and white intact male adult rabbit

4. A0057856674
Date Found: 2/15
Location Found: Herndon—near Ferndale Ave. & Elden St.
Description: Red and white female adult dog

5. A0057867584
Date Found: 2/18
Location Found: Alexandria—near Richmond Hwy. & Copper Rd.
Description: Black and white intact male adult dog

Do you need help keeping your pet? Is this your pet, but you can no longer care for them? Are you concerned about fees or need assistance finding a new home for them? Please reach out to us at 703-324-0299. We are here to help!

02/17/2025

Happy Monday! What better way to start your week than to see this picture of a very cute dog in pajamas?! His name is Cheese, and he loved wearing these pjs. Take a look at all of our available pets online, and plan on a visit this week to either (or both!) of our shelter campuses! To see all our available pets and learn more about our open hours and locations, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter

02/17/2025

🐱 Part-time job opening alert: Shelter Programs Team Assistant! 🐱 This position will primarily support the Foster Program, and tasks include performing basic animal care functions such as administering dewormer and vaccinations, entering and tracking medical care data into our shelter software system, preparing animals and supplies to go to foster, etc.

To learn more including how to apply, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/non-merit-miscellaneous-professional, and look for the Shelter Programs Team Assistant (Animal Care Specialist I ELT-DAS-25000) listing.

02/16/2025

Our final featured pet in this ‘What We Love Most About…’ series is bouncy boy Bouncer! A volunteer favorite, Bouncer has been in our care for almost a year now, and we’re all hoping that it’s his turn to be adopted soon. Want to know why we think he’s pretty great? Here’s a list of what we love most about Bouncer:
- His zest for life!!
- Love of all things edible
- How he can’t seem to control his facial expressions sometimes??
- Indelible parkour skills
- The way just the ends of his ears are floppy
- His love of learning new things!

If you need a happy-go-lucky bouncy pup in your life, come visit Bouncer at our Lorton Campus! You can take him home on an Adoption Audition - a 5-day, no strings attached trial adoption - to see if he’s a good fit. More info: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

02/16/2025

‘What We Love Most About Exodus’ is brought to you by none other than his foster mom! This “certified wiggly worm” spent a month and a half in a foster home, during which time his foster mom learned a lot about him. She even made an amazing flyer outlining his talents (and his Achilles’ heels…). Enjoy these photos, and if this silly, cuddly, very expressive fellow sounds like the dog for you, come visit him at our Lorton Campus!

And if you’re interested in joining our foster team, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/foster to sign up for an upcoming New Foster Information Session. We especially need foster families who can take big dogs!

02/15/2025

Valentine’s Day may be over, but we’re not done sharing what we love most about our available pets! Up next is Kylo, and if his adorable picture isn’t enough, here’s a list of what we love most about him:

- Top-tier puppy dog eyes
- Loves treats and tennis balls
- Voted “coolest, smoothest pup at the shelter” by volunteers
- So smart and eager to please
- Listens well and responds to his name
- AMAZING at catching treats – he never misses when one is tossed his way!

If you’re ready to fall under the spell of his puppy dog eyes in real life, come visit him at our Lorton Campus! You can take him home on an Adoption Audition - a 5-day, no strings attached trial adoption - to see if he’s a good fit. More info: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

02/15/2025

‘What We Love Most About Maddie’ could be a full-length novel. Maddie is many of our volunteer’s favorite at the Michael R. Frey Campus, and with good reason! Without further ado, here are a few of our favorite things about Maddie:

- Responds to her name, knows sit, LOVES treats
- Endless optimism, always smiling
- Her continual efforts to improve her treat-catching coordination
- Tennis balls = life!!!
- Super cute face, lots of WRINKLES

Hopping in your car to come meet Maddie at our Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax? Fantastic! We'll see you soon!!! We're open today 11am-5pm, and you can even take Maddie home for a 5-day, no strings attached trial adoption, via our Adoption Audition program! More info: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

02/14/2025

Today’s edition of ‘What We Love Most About…’ features Avita! 💕She’s just over seven years old and extra large at 107 pounds, and she’s been waiting for someone to adopt her since last September. This happy, velvety soft girl came in as a stray, and she’s been an absolute delight since she arrived. Here are some of our favorite things about Avita:

- Goofy girl who doesn't know big she is - she even tries to sit in laps!
- Kind of a big baby, once got scared when a toy bin fell over and hid behind a staff person until they reassured her it was ok to go check it out
- A social butterfly, likes to greet everyone
- Does an incredible hippo impersonation for her friends at
- Upbeat and positive vibes all day every day!

If this has made you fall in love with Avita, come visit her at our Lorton Campus! Our staff would be delighted to introduce their ‘sweet princess Avita’ to you! For adoption info: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

02/14/2025

💕 Happy Valentine’s Day!! 💕 If you’re searching for your Valentine, you just might find them at our shelter - we have lots of amazing pets waiting to be adopted, including rabbits!

Meet all our adoptable Valentines at our Lorton Campus, and our Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax. For more info about our locations, hours, adoption process, and all our available pets, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter 💕

02/14/2025

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! We're celebrating by sharing what we love most about our available pets, and we hope you fall in love with one of them and adopt! We’re featuring some of our longer-stay pets over the next few days and we’re starting with Snowball. This little rabbit has been in our care a total of 377 days!! But that means we’ve had a lot of time to get to know her, so here are some of our favorite things about Snowball:

- Sassiest rabbit (on the planet, maybe)
- Have to earn her trust and love
- Food is the way to her heart
- We’re convinced she understands everything said to her and just doesn’t always choose to listen
- Very fastidious
- Doesn’t always show her best self to potential adopters, but she’s just waiting for that right person to come along – someone experienced and savvy with sassy rabbits, and patient enough to let her relax and learn to trust. From one of Snowball’s biggest fans: “Once that happens, the real Snowball will feel safe to emerge. I truly believe that! I know that Snowball has a loving heart, because I have seen it. I have experienced it.”

If Snowball sounds like just the rabbit you’ve been dreaming of, come visit her at our Lorton Campus! For adoption info: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

02/13/2025

Happy Galentine’s Day! Our mice gals decided to celebrate with their own dinner party. The menu included kale, romaine, and apple with peanut butter. They gave the restaurant 5/5 stars, and especially loved the art on display.

We still have quite a few adorable, tiny, personable, curious mice available for adoption: 24 to be exact! Come visit them at both our Lorton Campus, and our Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax. And check out all our available pets online to find your future Valentine! www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

Address

4500 West Ox Road
Fairfax, VA
22030

Opening Hours

Tuesday	12pm - 5pm
Wednesday	12pm - 5pm
Thursday	12pm - 7pm
Friday	12pm - 7pm
Saturday	11am - 5pm
Sunday	11am - 5pm

Telephone

+17038301100

Website

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/

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Videos

Bonded pair Cosmos and Kuzo enjoy keeping each other occupied with…enlightening conversation. Visit the Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax to meet them!

Our computers are working hard to tally up the final scores for our Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl. They’re running the numbers (get it?) as we speak (or is it squeak?). They thank you for your patience as their little legs run as fast as they can to calculate the final score. Follow us to find out which team will come out on top! fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fairfax County Police Department

Our dogs celebrate the 2025 Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl

Today is the final day of the 2025 Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl. Both teams have worked hard and are hoping to take home the win. Team Butler brought the heat with their blazing spirits and go-getter attitudes. Team Davis impressed everyone with their determination and perseverance. Our dogs decided it was time to celebrate! Tune in to see who will take home the win! Go to fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt to see the full canine roster and all our adoptable pets. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fairfax County Police Department

After a thrilling first two days, Team Butler and Team Davis are ready for the weekend, for the second half of the Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl! They’ve practiced their tail wags and have their eyes on the prize. Who is your MVP (Most Valuable Pup)? All dogs are eligible for an Adoption Audition, a trial adoption period so you can see if they’re a good fit for YOUR team! Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt to see all our adoptable pets, follow us on social media to keep up to date with all the action, and come visit us this weekend! Fairfax County Police Department Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

Kick back, relax, and enjoy a healthy snack (ot two) with us! Find out more about our adoptable small animals at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.

Join Sheriff Stacey Kincaid (our Sher-REF) of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office and Ref Peppy in cheering on Team Butler and Team Davis! Both teams are practicing their tail wags and are ready to fetch every tennis ball in sight. The Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl will take place at the Lorton Campus and Michael R. Frey Campus from Thursday, Feb. 6, to Sunday, Feb. 9. Adoption fees for all dogs weighing 45 pounds or more will be waived! Follow along right here to keep up with the excitement!

Team Davis is gearing up for a win in this year’s Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl! Stay tuned this Thursday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 9 as Team Davis faces off against Team Butler. All adoption fees for dogs weighing 45 pounds or more will be waived during the event. With strength, skill, and a little bit of peanut butter, Team Davis is ready to take home the win! Follow along on social media for updates throughout the event. Fairfax County Police Department

Things heat up this week as Team Butler prepares for the Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl! All adoption fees for dogs weighing 45 pounds or more will be waived from Thursday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 9. With their determination burning bright, Team Butler is ready to compete in this exciting (and friendly) rivalry. Follow along on social media for updates throughout the event. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Chief Butler and Fairfax County Police Department's Chief Davis are getting ready and choosing their canine teams for the big Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl kickoff! The adoption event will be Feb. 6-9, during which all dogs 45 pounds or larger will have their adoption fees waived - and one adoption equals one point. May the best team win! Stay tuned in for updates, and to see which team comes out on top! And if you’d like to join in the fun, check out all our available dogs in person during open hours or on our website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

Lip is a BIG fan of tennis balls! Stop by our Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax to play a round of fetch and get to know him!

Grab your chapstick and pucker up—Zamboni has a lot of love to share this Valentine’s season! You can find Zamboni and all our adoptable love bugs at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.

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Our dogs celebrate the 2025 Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl

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