Fairfax County Michael R. Frey Animal Shelter & Adoption 2026
The Michael R. Frey Campus at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, Virginia is a Fairfax County Animal Services shelter campus—but there is one critical 2026 change to know before driving there: the West Ox campus is temporarily closed for a major HVAC renovation.
The closure began August 31, 2026 and Fairfax County expects the project to take approximately six months. During the closure, sheltering, walk-in adoption and most public shelter services are being handled from the Lorton Campus at 8875 Lorton Road.
Michael R. Frey Campus Closure: What Changed in 2026?
The West Ox Road shelter is not permanently gone. Fairfax County closed it temporarily for a major HVAC renovation, but that makes old listings showing ordinary West Ox adoption hours misleading for a visit today.
Closure began August 31
Fairfax County announced that the Michael R. Frey Campus would close beginning August 31, 2026 for major HVAC work.
About six months expected
The county described the renovation period as approximately six months. It did not publish a guaranteed reopening date, so this guide does not invent one.
Services shifted to Lorton
Animals and shelter operations were consolidated at the Lorton Campus during the closure. Check Fairfax County’s closure updates before returning to West Ox.
Where to Go While the Frey Campus Is Closed
Fairfax County Animal Services — Lorton Campus
8875 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Phone: 703-324-0299
TTY Relay: 711
Current department contact
Email: AnimalServices@fairfaxcounty.gov. Use official Fairfax County pages for holiday changes or a Frey reopening announcement.
| Day | Current Lorton public hours | Adoption planning |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Do not plan a routine walk-in adoption. |
| Tuesday–Wednesday | 12:00–5:00 p.m. | Last adoption application 30 minutes before closing. |
| Thursday–Friday | 12:00–7:00 p.m. | Allow time to meet the pet and review records. |
| Saturday–Sunday | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Last application 30 minutes before closing. |
How Fairfax County Animal Services Adoption Works in 2026
FCAS offers walk-in, same-day adoptions. Because West Ox is closed, start with the current online animal listings and plan your in-person visit around the Lorton Campus.
Look at current pets first
Fairfax County posts dogs, cats and small animals online and says individual profiles are updated in real time. Availability can still change quickly.
Go to the active campus
During the Frey renovation, use 8875 Lorton Road for ordinary shelter visits unless an official event listing gives another location.
Be at least 18 and bring current photo ID
Fairfax County’s adoption questionnaire lists age 18 and current photo identification among the adoption requirements.
Prepare current-pet records and housing permission
The county form asks for valid rabies records for current dogs/cats, proof of county dog licensing where applicable, and proof of ownership, lease pet addendum or verified landlord permission.
Meet the pet and review medical/behavior information
Staff will help you meet the animal and review the information known about that pet. Ask about energy level, household fit and any follow-up care.
Bring safe transport home
Have a carrier ready for cats or small pets and a secure leash/vehicle plan for a dog. A calm trip home makes an already-big day easier for the animal.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees 2026
These are the current standard fees published by Fairfax County Animal Services. A temporary adoption event may reduce or waive a fee, so check the official event page if you are visiting during a promotion.
| Animal | Current standard fee | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog — 2 through 6 months | $200 | Puppy-age category. |
| Dog — 7 months through 5 years | $150 | Adult dog category. |
| Dog — 6+ years | $100 | Senior dog category. |
| Cat — 2 through 6 months | $150 | Kitten-age category. |
| Cat — 7 months through 5 years | $75 | Adult cat category. |
| Cat — 6+ years | $50 | Senior cat category. |
| Rabbit | $30 | Confirm carrier and housing needs. |
| Guinea pig | $15 | Small-animal fee. |
| Ferret / chinchilla / hedgehog | $40 | Species-specific care matters. |
| Hamster / gerbil / rat / mouse | $5 | Small-pet category. |
| Reptile | $20 | Ask what habitat/equipment goes home. |
| Hermit crab | $10 | Confirm current availability. |
| Small / medium / large bird | $10 / $75 / $150 | Fee depends on bird category. |
| Domestic fowl | $20 | Check zoning before adoption. |
| Livestock / barn animal | $50 | Fairfax zoning requirements may apply. |
| Equine / bovine | $200 | Plan appropriate transport and property compliance. |
What Is Included With a Fairfax County Adoption?
Dogs and cats
Fairfax County says adopted dogs and cats receive spay/neuter or an applicable voucher, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and initial parasite-prevention care as described in the adoption information.
Post-adoption exam certificate
Current adoption FAQs list a certificate for a free exam with a participating veterinarian within 30 days. Additional veterinary services are paid by the adopter.
Bonded pairs
Fairfax County says a bonded pair that must remain together can be adopted for one adoption fee in the applicable species/age category.
Emergency & Important Fairfax County Contacts
The numbers below are separated by purpose. Do not use an adoption number as emergency dispatch, and do not use 911 for an ordinary shelter question.
| Contact | Verified number / route | Correct use |
|---|---|---|
| Current FCAS / Lorton shelter | 703-324-0299 | Adoption, current shelter services, found-pet guidance and general FCAS questions during open hours. |
| Animal-related assistance / Field Services | 703-691-2131 | Strays, wildlife, animal welfare and animal-related assistance; also the after-hours found-stray route. |
| Immediate emergency | 911 | Immediate threat to human safety or another true emergency. |
| Rabies / animal confinement | 703-691-2131 | Fairfax County directs rabies-suspect animal and confinement/testing matters through Animal Services. |
| Health Department Rabies Coordinator | 703-246-2433 | Questions about human rabies exposure assessment or post-exposure prophylaxis. |
Lost or Found Pet in Fairfax County
Losing a pet can turn an ordinary day upside down very quickly. Fairfax County’s process works best when the report is filed early and includes a clear current photo.
If your pet is lost
- File an official Fairfax County lost-pet report immediately.
- Check the county’s current found-pet listings repeatedly.
- Make sure microchip contact information is current.
- Search in person and recruit neighbors rather than relying only on social media.
- If staff identifies a likely match, visit promptly to confirm the pet.
If you found a stray
- During shelter hours, call 703-324-0299.
- After hours or for field pickup, call 703-691-2131.
- File a found-pet report even if you can safely keep the pet temporarily.
- Do not put yourself at risk with an injured or aggressive animal.
- Record the exact location where the animal was found.
Reclaiming a Pet: Stray Hold and Current Fees
No identification
Fairfax County states that a stray arriving without collar, microchip, tattoo or other identification is held for five full days.
Identification present
A stray arriving with identification is held for ten full days.
Act quickly
Do not wait until the end of a hold period. Boarding fees accumulate, and after the legal hold an unclaimed animal may move toward adoption.
| Reclaim charge | Current listed amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog/cat first impound | $25 | Boarding is additional. |
| Dog/cat second impound | $50 | Boarding is additional. |
| Dog/cat third or later | $75 | Boarding is additional. |
| Dog/cat boarding | $20/day | Charged for each day boarded. |
| Rabbit/rodent/ferret/reptile/exotic impound | $20 | Boarding currently $10/day. |
Fairfax County Animal Control Is Now Part of Animal Services
Another important 2026 change: effective March 9, Fairfax County formally moved animal control into the Department of Animal Services. The former Fairfax County Police Animal Services Division was disbanded.
Stray and loose animals
Field Services responds to animal-related assistance and can be dispatched through 703-691-2131.
Cruelty and welfare concerns
Officers investigate neglect, cruelty, dangerous-animal matters and other county animal-law concerns.
Wildlife assistance
The same non-emergency dispatch number is used for applicable animal-related wildlife assistance.
Fairfax County Animal Bites and Rabies Reporting
Fairfax County treats possible rabies exposure as a public-health issue, not merely a shelter question. The county asks residents to report bites, suspicious wildlife interactions and animal-to-animal rabies concerns.
Wash the wound
County guidance says to scrub a bite or scratch with soap and running water for 5–10 minutes.
Seek medical attention
A medical professional can evaluate whether rabies post-exposure treatment is needed.
Report the exposure
Use Fairfax County’s official rabies exposure reporting process. For animal confinement/testing, Animal Services is the recommended contact.
Owner Surrender During the Frey Campus Renovation
Owner surrender is by appointment
Do not arrive assuming immediate intake. Contact Animal Services first and explain your situation.
Fairfax County residents
FCAS is the county’s open-access municipal shelter for companion animals belonging to Fairfax County residents, subject to the current capacity restrictions.
Ask about alternatives
Pet food, behavioral help, low-cost services and other Pet Resource Center assistance may help some families keep a pet at home.
Low-Cost Vaccines, Microchips and Pet Resource Help
These services are useful, but they are not a reason to drive to the closed Michael R. Frey Campus. Current Fairfax County vaccine clinics are scheduled at the Lorton Campus or Fairfax Center Fire Station 40.
| Clinic service | Current price | Current rules |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies vaccine | $20 | Fairfax County residents; scheduled walk-up clinics. |
| DHPPi — dogs | $20 | Dogs must be on fixed, non-extendable leashes. |
| FVRCP — cats | $20 | Cats must arrive in secure carriers. |
| Microchip | $20 | No clinic appointment or preregistration required. |
| Fairfax County dog license | $10 | Available at vaccine clinics; other licensing routes also exist. |
Veterinary and “Doctor” Information: What This Shelter Does Not Offer
This distinction matters because a shelter page should not be turned into a fake veterinary-hospital page merely to add more schema.
No routine owned-pet veterinary clinic
Fairfax County’s current FAQ says the shelter does not provide routine veterinary services such as ordinary spay/neuter, vaccinations or surgeries for owned pets.
Limited vaccine clinics are separate
The Pet Resource Center runs low-cost scheduled vaccine and microchip clinics, but these provide only limited examinations and are not a full veterinary hospital.
No doctor name invented
No public veterinarian appointment roster for the Michael R. Frey Campus was verified, so this page does not fabricate veterinarian names, doctor hours, appointment fees or Physician/VeterinaryCare schema.
Fairfax County Dog License 2026
Dogs age four months and older
Fairfax County requires dogs four months or older to be licensed annually.
Current annual fee
The county currently lists a standard dog-license fee of $10. Qualified service-dog licenses are issued free.
PetData handles licensing
For licensing questions Fairfax County directs owners to PetData at 1-888-556-2906.
Volunteer and Foster Help During the 2026 Transition
In-house volunteers
- Must be at least 18.
- Commit at least 18 hours per quarter.
- Commit for at least six months.
- Use the current FCAS volunteer onboarding route.
Foster volunteers
- The responsible foster volunteer must be at least 18.
- Attend a New Foster Information Session first.
- Onboarding usually takes about 1–3 weeks.
- Check each session’s location carefully while the Frey Campus is closed.
What to Prepare Before a Fairfax County Shelter Visit
For adoption
- Current photo ID and proof you are at least 18.
- Rabies records for dogs/cats already in the household.
- Current Fairfax dog license records when applicable.
- Housing/landlord permission if required.
- A safe carrier or leash for the trip home.
For reclaim
- Photo identification.
- Proof the animal belongs to you.
- Rabies and dog-license information when applicable.
- Money for current impound, boarding and license charges.
- Call before driving if you are unsure where the animal is housed.
Current Shelter Map: Lorton Campus
Michael R. Frey Campus remains at 4500 West Ox Road, but ordinary shelter/adoption traffic is currently being routed to the Lorton Campus during the renovation.
Official Fairfax County Resources
Use official county pages for same-day animal availability, reopening news, appointments, emergency routing and any policy change after this guide was checked.
Michael R. Frey Animal Shelter FAQ
Is the Michael R. Frey Campus open right now?
No. Fairfax County currently lists the 4500 West Ox Road campus as temporarily closed for HVAC renovation beginning August 31, 2026.
When will the Michael R. Frey Campus reopen?
Fairfax County said the work is expected to take approximately six months, but a guaranteed reopening date has not been published. Check the official closure/location page before driving to West Ox Road.
Where are Fairfax County Animal Services adoptions happening during the closure?
Current shelter/adoption services are operating from the Lorton Campus at 8875 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079.
What is the current Fairfax County Animal Services phone number?
The current shelter contact published with the Lorton Campus is 703-324-0299.
What are the current adoption hours?
Lorton is listed open Tuesday and Wednesday noon–5 p.m., Thursday and Friday noon–7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and closed Monday. The last adoption application is taken 30 minutes before closing.
Can Fairfax County hold an adoptable animal for me?
No. FCAS says it does not place holds on animals and adoptions are first-come, first-served.
What number handles Animal Control and stray-animal assistance?
For animal-related assistance, including wildlife concerns, Fairfax County directs callers to 703-691-2131. Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
How long does Fairfax County hold a stray pet?
Fairfax County lists a five-full-day stray period for animals without identification and ten full days for animals arriving with identification.
Does the Michael R. Frey Campus operate a veterinary hospital?
No. Fairfax County says its shelter does not provide routine veterinary services for owned pets. Separate low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics are scheduled at the Lorton Campus or Fairfax Center Fire Station 40.
Are veterinarian or doctor appointments available at Michael R. Frey Campus?
No public veterinarian appointment roster or doctor schedule was verified for the closed Michael R. Frey Campus. This guide therefore does not publish unverified veterinarian names or appointment fees.
How much is a Fairfax County dog license?
Fairfax County currently lists the annual dog-license fee at $10 for dogs four months of age and older. Licensing is handled in partnership with PetData.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Fairfax County website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide and is not Fairfax County Government or Fairfax County Animal Services.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
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Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.