Don't add to the millions of unwanted cats and dogs each year in this country that will have to be destroyed. BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER! Have your pet spayed or neutered.

For a low cost surgery, you can contact:

• SPAY, Inc. 703-522-7920 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Arlington Animal Welfare League 703-931-9241; www.awla.org
• The Alexandria Animal Welfare League 703-838-4774; www.alexandriaanimals.org
• Dominion Animal Hospital 703-437-6900 spay/neuter clinic weekly

The first thing to do, after searching your own neighborhood, is to stop by your local animal shelter to report the lost pet, view the strays at the shelter and check through found reports. You can visit the shelter as often as you wish but should stop in at least every couple of days to make sure the animal has not been brought in. Descriptions of the same animal can vary from one person to the next, so don't rely on a phone call to identify your pet. You may also report your lost cat or your lost dog to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter through these forms. You may also view pets brought to your local Animal Shelter.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter has additional information to assist you in locating your pet. Remember, the more effort you make, the greater the chance of finding your pet.

The most important thing to do is to prevent your pet from becoming lost. Keep your cats indoors at all times with a safety collar and ID tags and dogs on a leash when not inside the home, also properly identified. Tattooing and microchips are also available to help ensure your pet's safe return home.

Call the Shelter at 703-830-1100 to find out if the pet has been reported as missing. If the animal shelter has a match, you will be given the name and phone number of the possible owner.

If you wish to hold onto the pet for a few days to see if the owner turns up, you should leave a found report at the Shelter by calling the shelter or by filing a found animal report online. (Report a found dog here / Report a found cat here) Otherwise, you may bring the pet to the shelter or request that an Animal Warden (in the case of dogs) pick up the animal.

If the animal is a dog and is wearing a Fairfax County license, you will be given the owner's name and phone number.

All dogs over the age of four months require a license in the County of Fairfax. In order to purchase a license a valid rabies certificate must be presented. Dogs are required to wear the license at all times. CATS DO NOT REQUIRE A LICENSE. Licenses can be purchased at the Animal Shelter, 4500 West Ox Road, or at the Finance Office - Tax Administration Suite in the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway.

All questions involving injured animals, or cruelty complaints should be referred to the Animal Services Division of the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131. All questions involving wildlife should be referred to the State Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at 540-899-4169 or the Wildlife Rescue League at 703-440-0800.

You must be able to show proof that you own your own home or if renting provide a copy of your lease or rental agreement that shows that your are entitled to own a pet. If a security deposit is required, we need to see a receipt that it has been paid. If you have pets, you must provide records of current vaccines, all dogs must also have a currrent dog license. You must be a Fairfax County resident to adopt a pet under the age of six months of age if the pet cannot be altered prior to leaving the Fairfax County Animal shelter.