My name is
Dorothy!

1 - Look at adoptable pets online, and when you see one you want to meet and possibly adopt, come into the shelter to visit with your prospective pet.
2 - Once at the shelter, walk through to see available pets and then visit with the one(s) you are considering adopting. A volunteer or staff member will facilitate the visit and tell you more about the pet you’re visiting.
3 - Once you decide that you would like to adopt, head to the main lobby to complete our brief adoption questionnaire and wait to speak with one of our adoption counselors to go over any questions you might have. We'll go over all of the available behavioral and medical history of the pet you want to adopt.
4 - Complete your adoption! Most pets can go home the day they are adopted, but some must be picked up one or two days later after their spay/neuter appointment.
Notes: 1) Some pets are in foster homes, and that is noted in their bio. If you are interested in a pet who is in a foster home, please email the shelter to arrange a visit. 2) Some special needs animals will be adopted on a best-fit basis, rather than the usual first-come-first-served.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt/steps

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 12-5pm
Thursdays and Fridays: 12-7pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 11am-5pm
Mondays: closed

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is Fairfax County’s only open-access municipal shelter. We take in stray animals in need, owner surrendered companion animals when the owner is no longer willing or able to care for them, and animals who have been seized or taken into custody by Animal Protection Police. We accept all companion animals from Fairfax County who are in need of care, regardless of health, age, temperament, or history. We do not euthanize for space or length of time, and all adoptable animals are given every opportunity for a new home and family. We have an incredibly compassionate staff, and we also have vibrant and active volunteer and foster programs. We know that every animal who enters our shelter will be given the best care and shown boundless love while they are in our care, and while they wait for their forever family to adopt them. We are very proud that, since 2013, our positive release rate has been over 90% each year!