Animal Shelter

As canine upper respiratory infections (URI) continue to spread in the community, region and nationwide, The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) is seeing an uptick in dogs entering the shelter's care that have been infected. 

Shelter environments and other places where large numbers of animals are housed or congregated can be ideal for illness to incubate and quickly spread. In coordination with shelter veterinarians, FCAS staff continue to employ robust cleaning protocols, monitor all dogs daily for symptoms, treat symptomatic dogs and pursue further diagnostic testing.

To help prevent the spread of canine URI and keep pets healthy, community members can take these proactive measures:

• Recognize the symptoms of canine URI and consult your veterinarian with any concerns. Symptoms include any combination of a loud cough, runny eyes, nasal discharge (often thick and green), wheezing, lack of appetite and depressed behavior.
• Avoid areas where groups gather with unfamiliar dogs, such as dog parks, daycare and boarding facilities. Canine URI is highly contagious and spreads through dog-to-dog contact, including contact with contaminated surfaces. 
• Ensure your dog is up to date on all their vaccinations. 

How can you help shelter dogs?

1. Adopt: We often have pets of every species available for adoption. Cat and small animal adoptions help, too, as fewer pets in the shelter overall allow our staff to devote more time and attention to dogs undergoing medical care.
2. Postpone surrendering: Whenever possible, FCAS aims to keep pets and families together. FCAS can provide assistance in caring for your pet, such as vaccines, food and supplies or temporary crisis care through the shelter’s Pet Resouce Center. If you need to rehome your dog, please consider self-supported rehoming options such as posting in neighborhood social media groups, utilizing Rehome by Adopt a Pet and reaching out to friends and family. If you need to surrender your dog to the shelter, please try to delay at least two weeks, and make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccinations to help them remain healthy once they are at the shelter. 
3. Donate to the shelter: Monetary donations to the shelter’s nonprofit fundraising partner, The Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter, are greatly appreciated, as they contribute to supporting the shelter's vital programs and services, including medical care. Additionally, the shelter's most needed items are always listed on its Amazon Wish List.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter locations include the Michael R. Frey Campus, 4500 West Ox Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030, and the Lorton Campus, 8875 Lorton Rd., Lorton, VA 22079. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointments are required for adoptions. The shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday: Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays.

For more information about the adoption process and to see pets available for adoption, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.

• Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 8-11.
• Fee-waived adoptions for dogs 45 pounds and larger. 
• Locations: 
  • Michael R. Frey Campus: 4500 West Ox Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 
  • Lorton Campus: 8875 Lorton Rd., Lorton, VA 22079

Get ready for an electrifying showdown! The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) presents the Adoption Bowl, a fee-waived adoption event for dogs 45 pounds and larger, taking place Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 8-11. 

This one-of-a-kind event pits Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis against Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler against each other in a chief vs. chief challenge. Each chief will lead a "team" of adoptable dogs and at the end of the event, the winning team will be announced based on the number of adoptions. It’s a friendly competition to see which chief can find the most homes for their canine companion squad.  

Loving Homes Urgently Needed for Large Dogs 

This fun showdown comes at a time when the shelter needs it the most. Nearly every dog kennel is full, with over 85 in its care. 

"With so many dogs in our shelters, we are excited to help as many of these wonderful dogs as possible meet their new families during this event," says Reasa Currier, Director of FCAS. "We extend thanks to Chief Davis and Chief Butler for their invaluable partnership in helping these large dogs find loving homes! If you’re looking for a loyal and loving companion, we can help you find one." 

How to Participate 

Visit either of the shelter locations—the Michael R. Frey Campus, 4500 West Ox Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030, or the Lorton Campus, 8875 Lorton Rd., Lorton, VA 22079. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointments are required for adoptions. 

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday: Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays.  

For more information about the adoption process and to see pets available for adoption, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt.
 

About Fairfax County Animal Shelter: 

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is the open-access municipal shelter for Fairfax County, committed to providing the highest quality of care to pets. Last year, the shelter accepted nearly 4,000 companion animals and impacted the lives of over 1,000 more through community-based programs and services. With a consistent live release rate of over 90%, the shelter prioritizes the well-being and happiness of every large dog in its care. 

Fairfax County Animal Shelter wants all shelter pets to find loving homes for the holidays, so it’s partnering with BISSELL Pet Foundation for the “Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope” adoption event. Thanks to the foundation’s generous support, the shelter will offer fee-waived adoptions for cats and dogs from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 8 through 10. 

“We're thrilled to partner with BISSELL Pet Foundation for the 'Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope' event,” said Reasa Currier, Director of Fairfax County Animal Shelter. “Our goal is to help as many shelter pets as possible find a home of their own for the holidays. Whether you’re looking for an affectionate lap cat or an adventurous dog, our expert team is ready to help you meet your perfect match!” 

The event will be held at both shelter locations—the Michael R Frey Campus, 4500 West Ox Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030, and the Lorton Campus, 8875 Lorton Rd., Lorton, VA 22079. Fairfax County Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday: Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays. 

For more information about the adoption process and to see which pets are available for adoption, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt. 

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is partnering with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for the Empty the Shelters Spring National adoption event. Thanks to the foundation’s generous support, the shelter will offer fee-waived adoptions for all pets from Thursday through Sunday, May 2 through 5. This collaboration comes at a critical time, as the shelter is currently over capacity with dogs, and has many small pets and cats looking for homes. 

"We're thrilled to partner with BISSELL Pet Foundation for the Empty the Shelters Spring National event,” said Fairfax County Animal Shelter Director Reasa Currier. “We want as many pets as possible to find loving homes during this event. From playful dogs and tiny hamsters to affectionate senior cats and adorable rabbits, we can help you meet your match!” 

Fees will be waived at both shelter locations—the Michael R. Frey Campus, 4500 West Ox Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030, and the Lorton Campus, 8875 Lorton Rd., Lorton, VA 22079. Fairfax County Animal Shelter is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays.  

For more information about the adoption process and to see available pets, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt. 

Pets Available for Adoption

Honey, 10 years old

This green-eyed beauty is not only stunning but also incredibly loving and attentive. Honey's favorite pastime is ensuring you're never short on forehead boops! She is a professional at purring, making air biscuits and offering endless affection. Honey has asthma, so she needs a family who can help manage her condition with daily medication. She takes her meds like a champion and keeps her space free of floral or fragranced products.

Buttercream and Marshmallow, One year old

Buttercream and Marshmallow are a delightful pair of bonded adoptable bunnies, each with a personality as sweet as their names suggest. They will make you laugh with their playful antics and larger-than-life personalities! These two bunnies are inseparable. You will often catch them grooming each other or seeking comfort in one another's company. 

Tiger, 9 years old

Tiger not only has stunning stripes but is also incredibly kind and has been described as a big mush. He has excellent leash manners and will impress you with all his tricks (sit, shake, down and turnaround). Tiger likes going for a walk and will even chase the tennis ball a few times, but he is also a certified couch potato and appreciates a good nap!

All are invited to help us celebrate the grand opening of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter Lorton Campus and the Lorton District Police Station at a community event on Saturday, Oct. 28. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., and the community celebration is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us at 8855 and 8875 Lorton Road in Lorton. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors, and attendees will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, the community celebration may be modified or canceled.

About the Lorton Campus

The new 23,000-square-foot facility, located at 8875 Lorton Road, will be the second county-operated shelter, joining the Michael R Frey Animal Shelter on West Ox Road in Fairfax. The Lorton Campus will significantly expand the geographic reach and impact of our work for the residents of Fairfax County. It will not only allow us to create more families through adoption, but it will also provide a hub for essential services, including behavior and training support, veterinary medical care, pet supplies, and other critical services that help keep pets with their families.

The new facility includes:

• 44 double-sided dog kennels
• 42 cat condos
• 2 catios
• A state-of-the-art veterinary clinic
• 20,000-square-foot outdoor space for the animals
• Facility-wide specialized airflow to reduce disease transmission
• Acoustical designs to decrease noise in animal housing areas
• Separate entrances for adoptions and admissions/vet clinic
• Focused effort on “fear-free” housing with the separation of species throughout the facility
• Natural light in almost all areas
• Sustainability features, including electric vehicle charging stations, space for solar panels, and energy-efficient systems

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) is hosting a "Clear the Shelters" fee-waived pet adoption event this Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26. For FCAS, this couldn’t come at a better time – the shelter is over capacity for small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs and nearing capacity for cats and dogs, and requests to surrender pets aren’t slowing down.

The NBC-sponsored "Clear the Shelters" initiative is an annual event and many animal shelters nationwide participate. With shelters typically becoming most crowded during the summer months, this event helps promote pet adoption when shelters need help the most, and FCAS is extremely full.

“With over 300 animals in the shelter’s care right now, we are really excited to help as many shelter pets as possible meet their new families this week," says shelter director Reasa Currier. "We have so many great pets just waiting for someone to walk through our doors and adopt. From the tiniest hamsters to large dogs, playful kittens to calm senior lap cats, if you’re looking for a pet we can help you find one."

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday: Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Mondays. .

For more information about the adoption process and to see which pets are available for adoption, visit the shelter website .

The Department of Animal Sheltering is preparing for the opening of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS), Lorton Campus this fall. Stay tuned for a grand opening date announcement. 

The 23,000-square-foot facility, located at 8875 Lorton Road, will be the second county-operated shelter, joining the Michael R. Frey Animal Shelter on West Ox Road in Fairfax.

“This facility will allow us to substantially grow the geographic reach and impact of our work for the residents of Fairfax County," says FCAS Director Reasa Currier. "Not only will we be able to create even more families through adoption, but the second shelter will provide a hub for essential services including behavior and training support, veterinary medical care, pet supplies and other critical services that help keep pets with their families.” 

The Lorton campus will have 44 double-sided dog kennels, 42 cat condos, 2 catios, and a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic. There will also be a 20,000-square-foot outdoor space for the animals.

For information about volunteering, fostering or programs, including at the Lorton campus, please visit the shelter website.

More information about the Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter – Lorton Campus project is available online. 

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) is currently experiencing a wave of canine upper respiratory infections in the shelter’s dog population. While it is common to have a few dogs with upper respiratory infections (URIs) at any given time, occasionally URIs can spread through a shelter population quickly and cause more dogs to experience symptoms. Canine URIs cannot be spread to other species of animals or to humans.

Shelter environments and other places where large numbers of animals are housed or congregate can be ideal for illness to incubate and spread. URIs are usually viral and spread through respiratory droplets, thriving in humid environments and exacerbated by stress. FCAS is currently experiencing the two most common factors that can lead to an increase in URI prevalence in shelters: more dogs than usual in the shelter’s care and prolonged length of stay.

The FCAS has robust daily cleaning protocols, and shelter staff are carefully monitoring all dogs for symptoms. In coordination with shelter veterinarians, staff are reviewing housing of dogs daily, adjusting as necessary to keep healthy dogs separated from those showing symptoms as much as possible and treating dogs showing more severe symptoms.

Here are three ways to help our shelter dogs:
 

1. Adopt! – The very best place for dogs to recover is out of the shelter and in a home environment, and dogs with mild symptoms will continue to be available for adoption. Cat and small animal adoptions help, too, as fewer pets in the shelter overall allows our staff to devote more time and attention to symptomatic dogs. Shelter staff will provide visitors with additional resources on URIs so they can make informed decisions about visiting dogs in the shelter and adopting.

2. Foster – If you have no other dogs at home and can foster a large dog for two weeks, please email the shelter at animalshelter@fairfaxcounty.gov with the subject line “Two-week large dog foster.”

3. Postpone surrendering – If you need to rehome your dog, please try to do so yourself directly with a new family. If you need to surrender your dog, please try to delay at least two weeks, and make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccinations to help them remain healthy once they are at the shelter.

FCAS is located at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA. The shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday – Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed Mondays.

For more information on available pets, open hours, adoption process, and more, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter's The Heat is On! summer adoption event features reduced and waived adoption fees to help clear the kennels as HVAC maintenance begins.

• Thursday through Sunday, June 22-25.
• Fee-waived dog adoptions.
• 50% of adoption fees for cats and small animals.

The hot summer months are here and nearly every kennel at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS) is full of dogs, cats, kittens and even a few small animals like rabbits. The shelter is especially full of dogs, with nearly 100 in its care. FCAS is preparing to undergo required HVAC system maintenance and is putting out an urgent plea for potential adopters to help clear the kennels.

Shelter Animals Count tracks data from shelters across the U.S., and what FCAS is experiencing is happening around the country. National trends show that adoption rates are not keeping pace with the number of dogs entering animal shelters.

“We are running out of space, especially for dogs, and we need the community’s assistance in finding loving homes for these wonderful pets,” says FCAS Director Reasa Currier. “We have animals of all species, sizes, and shapes, from bearded dragons to puppies, and our staff is ready to assist in finding the pet that will be the perfect match for every family.”

To help bring attention to the high number of adoptable pets, especially dogs, the FCAS is hosting a four-day adoption event, Thursday, through Sunday, June 22-25. Adoption fees for all dogs will be waived, and fees for all other pets will be 50% off. Shelter volunteers have fun activities planned throughout the adoption event, including a demonstration of how to help dogs create painted canvas artwork and other enrichment ideas.

Cops and Kittens

To kick off the event, FCAS will partner with the Fairfax County Police Department for a “Cops and Kittens” promotional visit to Public Safety Headquarters on Wednesday, June 21. A dozen adoptable kittens will visit with FCPD staff for cuddles and kitten antics, highlighting the adorable kittens available for adoption. Media are invited to attend.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is located at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax VA. The shelter is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed Mondays. To view all available pets, visit the shelter online.

About the Fairfax County Animal Shelter:

FCAS  is the open-access municipal shelter for Fairfax County, and it accepts every pet regardless of age, health, or behavior. Last year, we accepted nearly 4,000 companion animals into our care and touched the lives of over 1,000 more through our wide range of community-based programs and services. At FCAS, no treatable, adoptable, or healthy animal is euthanized, and we have a consistent live release rate of over 90%. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care to the pets we tend to while also working to increase pet retention and increase access to pet services. FCAS also has excellent volunteer and foster programs, progressive sheltering policies, and robust community-based programs.

Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter Friday, March 17 through Sunday, March 19 to test your luck and pick from the shelter's pot of adoption fees for dogs! Fees will range from $5-$25.

All dogs are spayed and neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped and ready to go home. You can also view all of the shelter's available pets online.

If you see a pet you're interested in, fill out the adoption application mentioning the pet(s) by name to connect with our adoption team.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is located at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030

Hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12 to 5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays 12 t 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.