If your pet is picked up as a stray and arrives to the shelter, our number one goal is to reunite your pet with you! Please note, only pets listed on the found page as "Animal in Custody" are physically at the shelter. Pets with "Found Report" are being cared for by the finder and are not in the shelter; please call or email us for more info.
Please note this new process for reclaiming a pet from the shelter: if your pet is at the Shelter as a stray, email or call to make an appointment to reclaim them. Email - animalshelter@fairfaxcounty.gov - is preferred.
If your pet is at the shelter, here's what you'll need to redeem them:
- Valid photo I.D., such as a driver's license or passport.
- Your pet's current rabies certificate.
- Money to purchase a dog license, if your dog does not already have one. (Note: cats are not required to be licensed.)
- Money for impound and boarding fees, which are charged per night your pet is here.
Impound Fee Structure for Stray Animals:
- Dogs and cats:
- First impoundment: $25
- Second impoundment: $50
- Third or more: $75
- Rabbits, rodents, ferrets, reptiles, and exotic animals: $20
- Livestock under 150 pounds: $50
- Livestock over 150 pounds: $100
Boarding Fee Structure, for Each Day Boarded:
- Dogs and cats: $20
- Rabbits, rodents, ferrets, reptiles, and exotic animals: $10
- Livestock under 150 pounds: $25
- Livestock over 150 pounds: $50
Some helpful tips to ensure we know who to contact for a stray pet:
- Microchip your pets! This is a one-time procedure that any veterinarian can do, and is a permanent form of identification. A small, grain of rice-sized chip is implanted under the skin between your pet's shoulders, and you can register and update your contact information to ensure that it's up-to-date. The first thing we do for any stray animal is to scan them for a microchip, and microchips are responsible for many happy reunions between lost pets and their families!
- Ensure your dog is wearing a properly-fitted collar with an I.D. tag.! If you have a cat who goes outdoors, make sure they're wearing a breakaway collar with a small I.D. tag. A collar can break or fall off, so a microchip is still definitely suggested, but a collar and I.D. is a good backup option.