AARF AARF (Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation of Winston-Salem) helps abandoned dogs and cats find loving homes through foster and adoption services.

Founded in 1995, AARF is a no-kill, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We are open from noon to 5pm Tuesday through Friday. Adoption fairs are resuming for cats on Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm and dogs from 11 am to 1 pm. in the backyard. Watch Facebook for up-to-date information. You may visit our website to see our adoptable cats and dogs. You may turn in an online application at aarfws.org

Meet Franny! 💛 This 8‑year‑old sweetheart is the definition of a cuddle buddy. After spending his whole life in one home...
09/04/2026

Meet Franny! 💛 This 8‑year‑old sweetheart is the definition of a cuddle buddy. After spending his whole life in one home, Franny found himself starting over, and he’s doing his best to figure out this new chapter with so much love to give.

Since joining AARF foster care, we’ve learned he’s an 80‑lb lap dog who lives for couch snuggles️. Outside, he’s all joy: splashing in water, rolling in the grass, and chasing tennis balls like it’s his job. He’s gentle, loyal, great on a leash, house‑trained, and crate‑trained. He’s the full package, wrapped in love and loyalty.

Franny does have some preferences:
🐶 Dog‑selective
🐱 Cat‑cautious
👶 Not child‑friendly

He’ll thrive in a home without small kids and with either the right furry sibling or as the only pet soaking up all the love.

Come meet Franny at our Saturday Adoption Fair (dogs 11–1, cats 11-2) or submit an application at www.aarfws.org/adopt to schedule a meet‑and‑greet. This sweet boy is waiting patiently for his forever family. 💛🐾

Meet Bella - a gorgeous, oh‑so‑sweet 6‑year‑old longhaired calico looking for her fresh start.  Bella came to AARF from ...
09/03/2026

Meet Bella - a gorgeous, oh‑so‑sweet 6‑year‑old longhaired calico looking for her fresh start.

Bella came to AARF from a very difficult situation. After being rescued from a hazardous, overcrowded home where she’d been neglected, her beautiful coat was severely matted and pulling painfully at her skin. She arrived dirty, uncomfortable, and in need of gentle care.

Despite everything she’d been through, Bella patiently allowed our team to shave her clean, give her a soothing bath, and update all her vaccinations. And from the moment she felt safe, she began offering soft, calming affection to everyone around her - she is truly full of love.

Bella has settled beautifully into the AARF House. She gets along peacefully with her feline neighbors, enjoys long naps in the sun, and adores her clean, fluffy bed. Her fur is growing back soft and full, and she’s finally ready for the forever family who will give her the safety and freedom she deserves.

Come meet Bella at AARF Tuesday–Friday, 12–5pm, or at our Saturday Adoption Fair from 11am–2pm.

She’s ready to start her new life — she just needs you. 🧡🐾

Learn more about Bella and other adoptable cats at www.aarfws.org.

It's AARF MONTH all September at Krankies Coffee!  🐾🩵☕The Oreo Dirt Cake Mocha has arrived. Loaded with chocolatey, crea...
09/02/2026

It's AARF MONTH all September at Krankies Coffee! 🐾🩵☕

The Oreo Dirt Cake Mocha has arrived. Loaded with chocolatey, creamy, cookie goodness. Even better: 20% of proceeds will be donated to AARF, helping local cats and dogs find their forever homes.

Great coffee, great people, and a great cause. A win-win-win for the Winston-Salem community. Stop by and thank our friends at Krankies Coffee for their generous support of AARF.

MEET PACO! 🐾❤🐶This 7‑pound chihuahua is the perfect mix of personality and easygoing charm. At 5 years old, he has just ...
09/01/2026

MEET PACO! 🐾❤🐶

This 7‑pound chihuahua is the perfect mix of personality and easygoing charm. At 5 years old, he has just the right amount of energy and he’ll happily stand on his hind legs for treats. Paco bonds deeply with “his person” and loves being someone’s little shadow.

He’s house‑trained, gets along well with other dogs in his foster home, and is ready for his forever family. Paco would likely do best in a home without young children, but he’s pretty relaxed around other animals.

If you’re looking for a tiny companion with a big heart, Paco is ready to meet you. 💛🐾

Visit www.aarfws.org to learn more about Paco and other adoptable pets.

Adoptaversary Update! ❤🐾🐱 Our furry boys have kept us laughing, guessing, and occasionally hiding our charging cords.Our...
08/31/2026

Adoptaversary Update! ❤🐾🐱 Our furry boys have kept us laughing, guessing, and occasionally hiding our charging cords.

Our little furry boys (Tango and Salsa) are doing great. They’re quite talkative, very curious, love belly rubs, and eat all their food within five minutes of it appearing in their dishes.

That’s not to say the past year has been completely painless. Tango can chew through a phone charging cord in about five seconds and has done so multiple times. All small‑diameter cables are now officially wrapped. They also apparently had never seen a kitchen before and love to “help” any time we’re preparing food. It’s probably fortunate that we don’t eat meat - but who knew they’d come running every time we open a can of garbanzo beans?

Thank goodness for our laundry room, which is behind a closed door and is now where we keep any food that needs to sit out temporarily, such as fresh‑baked cookies. The only thing we haven’t quite figured out yet is what to do about Tango rattling the bedroom window blinds at 5 a.m. to wake us up. He doesn’t get his breakfast any sooner, but he sure tries.

The kitchen windowsill is still one of their favorite perches. As you can see, they’re still best buds…at least most of the time.

🐾🩵 THANK YOU for a successful first PAWGUST!At many nonprofits, including AARF, donations decline markedly during the su...
08/30/2026

🐾🩵 THANK YOU for a successful first PAWGUST!

At many nonprofits, including AARF, donations decline markedly during the summer and fall months, but the number of animals to intake and care for do not.

Together, we raised $21,623 and secured our $20,000 match to bridge the summer funding gap and make sure every animal who comes through AARF’s doors gets the care they need, for as long as they need it.

TEAM CAT pulled off a last day push raising $9,246 by the end of PAWGUST and edged out TEAM DOG who raised an equally impressive $8,681. Team Cat has the bragging rights for the year, but we know we're all in this together and the funds raised will support the care of both of our furry companions.

08/28/2026

Join AARF at Kaleideum tomorrow, Saturday 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet Sergeant Hatch and Fancy, the Winston-Salem Police Department bloodhounds, purchase treats from Howlin’ At The Moon Dog Bakery, make a dog toy, meet adoptable pets from AARF and much more!

Tons of fun for everyone, plus get $3 off admission with a donation of pet food or treats!

08/28/2026

❤🐶🐾🐱 AARF is BURSTING with tiny little paws waiting for their forever homes, and they want to meet YOU! Grant their wishes and come to AARF's adoption fair tomorrow, Saturday August 29 at the AARF House.

🐶Dogs 11-1
🐱Cats 11-2
📍302 Thurston Street, Winston-Salem

View all the adoptable cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies and submit your adoption application at www.aarfws.org.

Meet Scarlett and her A‑list litter - Margot, Brad, Aniston, and Reese - a little Hollywood cast looking for their big b...
08/26/2026

Meet Scarlett and her A‑list litter - Margot, Brad, Aniston, and Reese - a little Hollywood cast looking for their big break: a loving home.

Scarlett is a gentle, independent 4-year-old mama who’s finally getting to enjoy life on her own terms. After raising and weaning her four kittens, she’s learning that the world can be soft and safe. She warms up with patience and thrives with people who respect her boundaries and let trust grow slowly. For someone who appreciates a thoughtful, steady relationship, Scarlett is a perfect match.

Her five-month-old kittens are ready for homes too:
🐾Margot is social, confident, and happiest with a sibling or a friendly resident cat.
🐾Brad is high‑energy, talkative, cuddly, and people‑oriented; he shines with lots of attention and a feline friend.
🐾Aniston and Reese are sweet, shy girls who gain confidence from their siblings and would do best adopted with a littermate.

Whether you’re looking for a soulful mama or a pair of playful kittens, this little family is ready to bring joy, personality, and love into the right home.

Address

302 Thurston Street
Winston-Salem, NC
27103

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 4pm
Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 3pm

Telephone

+13367687387

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