Animals are adopted to qualified applicants on a first come first serve basis. Fairfax County reserves the right to conduct a home check prior to adoption.

All stray animals are held for a minimum of seven days without identification or eleven days with identification, before before being placed up for adoption. All animals released by owners are available for adoption upon arrival and during normal adoption hours. Before consideration for adoption, all animals are evaluated by staff for obvious signs of health and/or behavior problems; however, the shelter cannot guarantee the health or temperament of any animal. Within one week after adoption, all dogs and cats must be taken to one of the participating veterinarians for a free health examination. There is a $20 adoption fee for dogs, cats and rabbits.

By state law, all dogs and cats adopted from the animal shelter will be spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter, unless a current medical condition prevents the animal from being altered at that time. Sterilization must be completed by the date designated on the adoption contract. Spay/neuter deposits are as follows: F-cats $55; M-cats $30; M/F dogs $65, fee is due at the time of adoption. The adopter is liable for all other costs such as hospitalization, board, or any other prerequisites to surgery required by the veterinarian.

• Meet the animal's physical and behavioral needs.
• Be at least 18 years of age, and furnish a valid photo ID and current address.
• Prove you own your home, or if renting, furnish a copy of your lease showing any pet restrictions as well as receipt of payment of any required pet deposit.
• You must be a Fairfax County resident in order to adopt any animal under the age of six months which can not be altered prior to leaving the shelter.
• Abide by all animal related-laws of the State and County in which you live.

• have all dogs and cats inoculated against rabies at four months of age.
• keep all dogs under leash control when off the property of the owner, and to clean up/dispose of fecal matter.
• purchase a County dog license in your county of residence each calendar year which is to be worn by the dog at all times.
• provide adequate food, water, shelter, space, care and exercise. Provide regular veterinary care, and to treat the animal humanely at all times.
• agree to return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer keep, or no longer want the animal.
• agree to the terms of the County's Adoption Contract.

• Keep cats indoors at all times, and to have a safety collar and ID tag on the cat at all times.
• Provide training for your pet. The majority of animals euthanized each year have developed behavior problems. The vast majority of all behavior problems can be prevented. It is highly recommended that you seek the advice of a professional humane animal trainer. You may find trainers listed in the phone book, or you may ask your veterinarian or the shelter for assistance in locating a trainer or training classes.
• Keep current records on your pets and make sure these records are readily accessible. Your adoption contract serves as a receipt and entitles you to the benefit of low cost spaying or neutering. You are entitled to a refund of your spay/neuter deposit if the pet is returned to the shelter within two weeks or if your veterinarian determines that the pet has already been surgically sterilized or is infertile.

     The Fairfax County Animal Shelter does not allow adoption of animals as gifts to other people. The shelter also forbids its animals to be used as anything other than family pets, chained out for long periods of time or to be used for food, fiber or research purposes. Each adopter must state that he/she has not been convicted of a charge of or related to cruelty to animals and that no such charge against him/her is currently pending.

     The Fairfax County Animal Shelter adopts animals to citizens regardless of the individual's race, gender, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation or sexual orientation. The staff at the Animal Shelter reserves the right to refuse the adoption of any animal and to repossess any adopted animal in the event of misrepresentation of any facts given by the applicant/adopter to the Animal Shelter, if the animal's home is determined to be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the animal;if the adopter fails to comply with any of the provisions of the adoption contract or for public safety reasons.

      The staff at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter want to make the adoption experience a good one for both you and your pet. If we can be of any further assistance to you, please call us at (703) 830-1100.