Friends is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising partner of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
08/19/2025
Good News Tuesday!
Willow has been adopted! Pets in the senior pet program receive $500 credit at Pender Veterinary Practice for continuing care and the adoption fee is waived --- courtesy of FFACS! We have more pets in the program. See the list below:
The South Fairfax Chamber is once again teaming up with Chamber members to support our local student-athletes — and your business can be part of the winning team!
Purchase logo space on our full-page Chamber ad in the official South County High School Sports Program, seen by thousands of fans throughout the season.
✔️ Boost your brand visibility
✔️ Show your community support
✔️ Help the Boosters fund vital athletic programs
Let’s win together — for your business, the Chamber, and our hometown teams!
Thank you, Tracy Morrow, for shining the light on Shining Shaydo! She is sponsoring Shaydo in honor of her seven, yes seven, huskies that have been a part of Tracy’s family! “They are the best breed”.
Shaydo, 71 pounds of love, puts the “E” in extrovert! This big ham of a dog loves attention, and you can be sure you will never be alone with Shaydo sitting in as your replacement shadow. No matter the activity, Shadow is always game! He does well on walks and seems to enjoy a nice stroll during clear weather. Shaydo loves to chase a soft squeaky toy, but he has not figured out how to bring the toys back. He has been showing good promise when meeting other dogs while in our care, but he can come on a bit strong when first meeting new dogs. Because of this, we highly recommend you bring your resident dog in for a meet and greet to ensure Shaydo will be a good fit for the home. If Shaydo seems like the dog you have been dreaming of, then stop by and come meet him today!
This pet is eligible for an Adoption Audition! What is an Adoption Audition? It's a 5-day, no-strings-attached, trial adoption period. You can take this pet home to try it out.
Shaydo is located at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton) of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Both locations are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 12-7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information on the Adoption Audition and Adoption process, including requirements and fees, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animal shelter/adopt.
08/07/2025
Check out our 20th Anniversary Video! Thank you Fairfax County Animal Shelter for highlighting our partnership over the years. We love what we do!
Celebrating milestones, partnerships, and, most importantly, shelter pets who have found their furever homes!
08/07/2025
Check out our Quarterly Newsletter!
In 2022, a family spotted a kitten (feral at the time) taking up residence in their backyard. Although they were leaving food for him, they knew the responsible thing to do was to have him neutered and vaccinated. Thankfully the Shelter came to mind!
08/05/2025
Thank you, Paw Pals Pet Sitting, for spotlighting Charming Booker!
Booker is 81 pounds of love, energy, and charm! He is a playful, goofy guy who absolutely lives for playtime, especially if it involves other dogs or his favorite thing in the world: balls! He's a social pup who thrives on interaction and will gladly keep the good times rolling as long as you're willing.
Recently, Booker underwent major surgery (TPLO) to repair his leg, and while he's healing like a champ, he still has a long road ahead before he can return to his fully active lifestyle. For now, he'll need a calm, supportive home that can help him through the rest of his recovery. That means gentle walks, physical therapy support (as recommended by your vet), and lots of love.
If you're looking for a loyal companion who's sweet, spirited, and just waiting to bounce back stronger than ever, Booker might be your guy. He's got the heart of an athlete and the soul of a best friend.
For more information on our adoption process, including requirements and fees, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt or stop the Fairfax location (4500 West Ox Road) to meet Millie by one of the locations. Hours of Operation for both locations are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 12-7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
08/04/2025
Thank you, Cafe Kindred for spotlighting Marvelous Millie! Please share and spread the word. Let’s find Millie a forever home!
Millie is looking for a new home where she can grow and flourish. When she arrived at the shelter, she was fearful and shut down. But with the help of our wonderful caretakers and volunteers, Millie has blossomed into a friendly and engaging gentle giant. Her favorite thing? Tennis balls! She loves to chase them across the yard, even if she doesn't quite know how to bring them back yet. When meeting other dogs, Millie tends to be a bit overbearing in her excitement to run and play with her new bestie. She could use a little help in learning the proper way to make new friends. If you're looking for a big girl with a big heart to match, come on and meet Millie today!
Millie is eligible for an Adoption Audition! What is an Adoption Audition? It’s a 5-day, no-strings-attached, trial adoption period. You can take this pet home to try it out.
For more information on our adoption process, including requirements and fees, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt or stop the Fairfax location (4500 West Ox Road) to meet Millie by one of the locations. Hours of Operation for both locations are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 12-7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
08/01/2025
Great place to volunteer!
UPDATE: All sessions are full!
🚨🚨 Registration Now Open for Volunteer Information Session! 🚨🚨
FCAS is currently recruiting small animal volunteers for both our Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax and our Lorton Campus. Small animals include rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats, lizards, snakes, birds and more!
📅 Session Date: Monday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m.
💻 Session Location: Virtual
Learn more and sign up: fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/volunteerio
07/31/2025
Thank you, Casey Whitmarsh-State Farm Agent for sponsoring this PURR-ticularly special Spotlight Post! We are featuring "bonded" cats for our last Spotlight of the month. Munchkin and Smudge are ready to bring warmth and gentle company to a new home! Munchkin is a 10-year-old black and white female cat, and Smudge is an 11-year-old brown and white male cat. The two are bonded companions and are seeking a home where they can spend their later years together in a calm and comfortable environment.
Munchkin is quiet, litter trained, enjoys treats and toys, and does best in a peaceful, calm home.
Smudge is a friendly, gentle cat who enjoys being brushed, held, or simply relaxing nearby. He is playful, affectionate, and loves treats, with no issues using the litter box. Smudge has asthma that needs ongoing management, but he is otherwise healthy and happy! If you would like to meet this charming duo, let us know!
For more information on this engaging duo and questions concerning the adoption process, including fees and requirements, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt
❤️
07/30/2025
Results of your kindness and generosity! Thank you community!
07/27/2025
A Sunday Success Story to brighten the start of your week and give out tons of positive vibes!
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter:
By funding emergency medical care, behavior training, parasite prevention, dental care and spay/neuter, Friends joins in the Shelter’s effort to ensure every shelter pet is offered the best opportunity to find and remain in a loving forever home. This is what we do:
Medical: Friends funds professional veterinary care beyond what the County budget can provide. This includes many life-saving surgeries and therapies, but also includes procedures to improve the adoptability of shelter pets, such as removal of a mass (tumor).
Dentals for Adoption: Friends funds dental care for shelter pets with periodontal disease graded at three or higher based upon a scale of zero (normal) to four (severe). After a thorough cleaning, required extractions, and any other necessary treatments, dogs and cats are now putting their best-face forward for potential adopters.
Forever Home Training: Well-intended families sometimes bring a dog to the Shelter after deciding the dog’s behavior is not making for a happy home. To help ill-mannered but otherwise awesome dogs find a true forever home, Shelter leadership believed training was the answer. To help reduce adoption returns, Friends is funding both pre- and post-adoption training.
PawFax: For older shelter pets, Friends funds a thorough medical exam to offer potential adopters a true health overview. PawFax consists of a series of tests including blood work, urinalysis and x-rays. In most cases, tests highlight a pet’s good health, and in some cases, tests identify critical health issues which can then be addressed.
Parasite Prevention: Friends funds the Shelter’s breakthrough, comprehensive parasite prevention program that administers flea, tick, and worm prevention to all dogs, cats and rabbits upon Shelter intake.
Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR): Friends supplements the County’s budget to provide low cost spay and neuter for community cats.
Collars and Tags: Friends provides a collar and personalized tag to every adopted dog and cat, and every dog receives a leash.
Pilot Projects: Friends occasionally funds pilot projects, which are sometimes picked up by the Shelter, such as microchipping for every cat adopted from the Shelter.
Pet Haven: Many victims of domestic violence are unable to escape abusive situations because they’re worried about what will happen to their pets. For these victims, Friends funds temporary safe boarding and care to pets.
Pet Enrichment: Friends helps to improve quality of life for shelter pets by funding the purchase of enrichment toys, tools and foods.
Community Outreach: Friends sponsors special adoption events, and provides materials and other support to raise Shelter awareness.
Pet Spotlight: A donation in honor of a shelter pet, brings attention to a pet that might otherwise be overlooked. The pet receives a Spotlight Badge on its cage, kennel or condo, and the pet is featured on Facebook.
