Both our Michael R Frey Campus, located at 4500 West Ox Rd. in Fairfax, and our Lorton Campus, located at 8875 Lorton Rd. in Lorton, are open for same-day, walk-in adoptions Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 12-7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and closed Mondays. Please note: We take our last adoption application 30 minutes before closing.

Steps to Adopt a Pet

1. Find Your Match: See all our available pets in person at our Michael R Frey Campus and our Lorton Campus during open hours, and meet them with the help of a shelter staff person or volunteer. You may also view available dogs, cats and small animals online in advance. Click on the profiles of our adoptable pets to see which adoption center they are located in!
2. Learn More and Meet the Pet: If you meet a shelter pet you'd like to adopt, complete an adoption questionnaire (available at our shelters), and one of our adoption counselors will review the pet's medical and behavior history and information.
3. Make it Official: We do same-day adoptions which means pets go home the same day they're adopted!

Important Notes

1. If you are interested in adopting a dog, and you have a dog at home already, please bring your dog in to meet with their potential new sibling. We can also facilitate rabbit-to-rabbit and guinea pig-to-guinea pig visits. We are not able to introduce available shelter cats to other pets.
2. Please note that some pets will be available on a best fit basis for specific behavioral or species husbandry considerations. 
3. Pets in foster will be noted as such next to their name, and in their bio. To meet a pet in foster, please send us an email first so we can make sure that pet is back in the shelter to meet you.
4. After you visit with your prospective new pet, the adoption paperwork process generally takes 30 minutes to an hour. Staff will begin the last adoptions of the day 30 minutes prior to closing, and will make an announcement each day when that time arrives. You may still visit the shelter and adoptable pets up to closing time, we will just not be able to begin the adoption process that day.

Adoption Requirements

1. Must be at least 18 years old, with a photo ID.
2. Provide rabies vaccination certificate(s) for any current dogs and/or cats in the home.
3. Have dog licenses for any current dogs (if you live in Fairfax County).
4. Show proof that you’re allowed to have the pet where you live (proof of home ownership, OR lease with pet addendum, OR letter/email from landlord/homeowner).