Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2025 May)
Sometimes, people must make the difficult decision to surrender their pet to the animal shelter. There are many reasons why pets are surrendered, such as when a pet guardian can no longer care for their pet, or a family moves out of the country. In cases where a pet guardian is considering surrendering their pet due to financial hardship, there are services and resources available from the Fairfax County Animal Shelter to help pets remain with the people they love.
The shelter’s Pet Resource Center was created with the goal of helping pet guardians keep their pets. Many of the services and resources they offer make caring for a pet more affordable. Their services include:
- Low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics.
- Pet pantry offering free pet supplies, such as pet food and cat litter.
- Low-cost spay/neuter voucher program.
- List of organizations that can help with pet medical care costs.
- List of local clinics offering low-cost spay/neuter and vaccines.
- The PetHaven Program, offering short-term temporary care for pets whose owners are leaving domestic violence situations.
Support Our Pet Supply Drive in May
The Department of Family Services cares about every family member, including pets. To help keep pets with the families, DFS is hosting a pet supply drive during National Pet Month in May. The drive will run from Sunday, May 11, to Saturday, May 24, with all donations benefiting Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s Pet Pantry.
Accepted items include:
- Unopened, unexpired non-perishable dog and cat food and treats
- Unopened cat litter
- New pet toys
Donations can be dropped off at any of these locations:
- Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Lorton Campus, 8875 Lorton Road, Lorton; Tuesday-Wednesday, 12-5 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 12-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Michael R. Frey Campus, 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax; Tuesday-Wednesday, 12-5 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 12-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Gerry Hyland Government Center (formerly South County Government Center), 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
- James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church; Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Lake Anne, 11484 Washington Plaza West, Reston; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
- Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
- Sully Community Center, 13800 Wall Road, Herndon; Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
You can also help by purchasing items from the shelter’s Amazon wishlist at FairfaxCounty.gov/animalshelter/donate. Learn more about the shelter’s Pet Resource Center at FairfaxCounty.gov/animalshelter/petresources.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).