Friends is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising partner of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
11/26/2025
Thank you, Paw Pals Pet Sitting for shining a light on Arya-A-59101263!,
Share this post and make it great Thanksgiving for Arya!
Lets meet Arya — a total dream dog looking for her person! She is a sweet, sensitive dog seeking a calm, adult-only home. She bonds deeply once comfortable but can be anxious in new situations. Arya would do well with a patient adopter and might enjoy a relaxed dog companion. Adopters will meet with our team to discuss her needs and ensure a good match. Arya 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! Interested? Contact customer service staff at the Fairfax Campus of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Be part of the change with a donation to the Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter this Giving Tuesday. Help us improve the lives of Shelter pets with lifesaving and life-improving medical care pets suffering from injury, illness, or abuse. Donate Today! Click on https://bit.ly/4fIDHJs
11/20/2025
Beautiful Thunder is ready for his forever home!
11/19/2025
Cozying up in the Fall with Shelter Pets! 🐶😻🐹🐰🐸 -
As 2025 ends and we mark our 20th anniversary, this issue of Paws ‘n Print recognizes our volunteers and donors. Your support funds medical care, dental treatment, parasite prevention, collars, tags and leashes for adopted dogs and cats, spay/neuter for rabbits and community cats, and helps every ...
11/17/2025
Check out this Beautiful kitty
11/11/2025
Avita is currently available for adoption while in foster care. To meet her, email us at [email protected] 🐶
11/03/2025
Thank you, Cafe Kindred , for shining a light on Lugg, (A0059024094)!, Let’s introduce this goof ball! Pst – Lugg has been looking for his perfect human for over a year! Share this post and make it great Thanksgiving for Lugg and his future family!
Looking for a giant dose of love, laughter, and wiggles? Meet Lugg—a 75-pound, joy-filled goofball who thinks he’s a lap dog and lives to make you smile. With a heart as big as his body, Lugg is full of playful energy, silly antics, and nonstop affection. He’s working on his manners and learning fast, but still needs a home ready for his bouncy, enthusiastic personality. Lugg loves people (and cuddles!) but because of his size and energy, he’d do best in a home without young kids. He can be picky with other dogs and prefers calm introductions—or being your one-and-only furry companion. A quiet neighborhood and an active human who enjoys playtime and belly rubs would be ideal. If you're ready for a lovable, hilarious, and oversized best friend, Lugg is ready to steal your heart—and your personal space—in the best way possible. 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! Interested? Come to the shelter any time during open hours and talk to one the Customer Care staff at the Fairfax Campus!
Lugg is located at the Fairfax Campus of the Department of Animal Services, (4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax) 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 our adoption process, including requirements and fees, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt
11/02/2025
11/02/2025
11/02/2025
10/31/2025
Happy Halloween from the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter! Have a great Halloween and don't forget to drop by the Fall Fur-ward Family Fun Day at the Lorton Campus of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter on November 1st from 11am to 3pm!
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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.
