Fairfax County Animal Shelter: Adoption Hours, Fees & Lost Pets 2026
Use this Fairfax County Animal Shelter guide before visiting the Michael R. Frey Campus in Fairfax or the Lorton Campus for adoption, lost-pet reclaim, found pets, owner surrender, field services, community cats, fees, map directions and official contact routing.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter, officially Fairfax County Animal Services, serves Northern Virginia residents through two shelter campuses: the Michael R. Frey Campus at 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax and the Lorton Campus at 8875 Lorton Road in Lorton. This 2026 guide gives you the practical details in one place: adoption hours, same-day walk-in adoption rules, last application cutoff, dog and cat fees, small-animal fees, lost-pet reclaim documents, impound and boarding costs, owner surrender appointment steps, stray animal intake limits, field services and animal-control contacts, campus maps and a visitor checklist so you can solve most questions here and use the official Fairfax County pages only for final live pet availability and same-day updates.
Quick answer: Fairfax County Animal Shelter details
Fairfax County Animal Shelter public contact is 703-830-1100 and AnimalServices@fairfaxcounty.gov. The official public adoption hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 12–5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 12–7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and closed Monday. The shelter states that the last adoption application is taken 30 minutes before closing.
For animal-related assistance, including wildlife concerns, Fairfax County routes residents to the non-emergency line at 703-691-2131. For immediate emergencies, call 911. For reclaiming a pet physically at the shelter, email animalshelter@fairfaxcounty.gov or call first; Fairfax County says email is preferred for reclaim appointments.
Official Fairfax County Animal Shelter links to use first
This guide gives you the working plan, but live pet availability, event pricing, closure notices, surrender capacity and reclaim rules can change. Use these official Fairfax County pages before driving.
Animal-Shelter.org is an independent guide and is not the official Fairfax County government website.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter locations: Fairfax and Lorton campuses
Fairfax County Animal Services operates two shelter campuses. Pet profiles show which campus the animal is located at, so always check the profile before leaving home.
| Campus | Address | Use this campus for |
|---|---|---|
| Michael R. Frey Campus | 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 | Adoptions, lost/found services and shelter support when the pet profile or county page points to the Fairfax campus. |
| Lorton Campus | 8875 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079 | Same-day walk-in dog, cat and small-animal adoptions when the pet profile shows the Lorton location. |
Fairfax County Animal Shelter adoption hours 2026
Both campuses are listed for same-day, walk-in adoptions. Public hours are not the same as “start paperwork whenever you arrive.” Fairfax County says the last adoption application is taken 30 minutes before closing.
| Day | Official listed adoption hours | Visitor planning tip |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Use Monday to review pet profiles, prepare questions and check campus location. |
| Tuesday | 12–5 p.m. | Last application should be before 4:30 p.m.; arrive earlier for pet meetings. |
| Wednesday | 12–5 p.m. | Good weekday option if you cannot visit during extended Thursday/Friday hours. |
| Thursday | 12–7 p.m. | Evening hours help working families; last application should be before 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 12–7 p.m. | Popular pets can move quickly before the weekend; check the profile before leaving. |
| Saturday | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Weekend visits can be busy. Arrive earlier than the final half hour. |
| Sunday | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Good family visit day, but confirm pet availability before making the trip. |
Choose what you need today
Most Fairfax County shelter visitors need one correct route, not ten pages. Pick the closest situation before calling or driving.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter adoption fees
Fairfax County adoption fees are based on species and age. Dogs, cats and rabbits adopted from Fairfax County Animal Shelter are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on age-appropriate vaccines before going home. Bonded pairs can be adopted for one adoption fee of their species and age category.
| Animal category | Published fee | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog, 2–6 months | $200 | Puppies need training, vaccine follow-up, supplies and realistic supervision. |
| Dog, 7 months–5 years | $150 | Ask about behavior, activity level, dog-to-dog needs, medical notes and first-week plan. |
| Dog, 6 years and older | $100 | Senior dogs may be a strong fit for quieter homes but still need vet budgeting. |
| Cat, 2–6 months | $150 | Bring a secure carrier and ask about kitten-proofing and vaccine timing. |
| Cat, 7 months–5 years | $75 | Ask about litter habits, other pets, foster notes and transition space. |
| Cat, 6 years and older | $50 | Senior cats can be a good match for calm households and patient adopters. |
| Rabbits | $30 | Ask about housing, diet, handling, bonding and long-term care. |
| Guinea pigs | $15 | Prepare proper enclosure, bedding, hay, vitamin C and social-care needs. |
| Small pets | $5–$40 depending on species | Ferrets, chinchillas, hedgehogs, hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice have different housing needs. |
| Birds / poultry / livestock | $10–$200 depending on type | Confirm space, zoning, transport, feed and enclosure rules before adopting. |
How adoption works at Fairfax County Animal Services
Fairfax County says its campuses are open for walk-in, same-day adoptions. That does not mean every pet is right for every household. A strong adoption visit starts with the online profile, the correct campus, and a clear home plan.
Browse adoptable pets online
Use the official dog, cat or small-animal pages. Each profile should help you confirm the pet’s campus, species, age, notes and availability. Do not rely on old screenshots or third-party reposts.
Confirm the campus before driving
The dog and cat pages say pets may be at either the Michael R. Frey Campus or the Lorton Campus. Confirm the pet’s location so you do not arrive at the wrong building.
Visit during adoption hours
Walk-in, same-day adoptions are available during public adoption hours. The last adoption application is taken 30 minutes before closing, so arriving late can cost you the visit.
Ask fit-based questions
Ask about medical notes, spay/neuter status, vaccine timing, microchip, behavior, children, dogs, cats, small animals, crate/litter habits, energy level, and any special care requirements.
Consider Adoption Audition if available
Fairfax County describes an Adoption Audition program that lets a pet go home for a five-day trial to see if it is a good fit. Ask staff whether the pet you like qualifies and what the exact rules are.
Prepare the ride home
Bring a carrier for cats, rabbits or small pets. Bring leash, collar, harness, crate or safe vehicle setup for dogs. New pets should go home safely, not loose in the car.
Before you visit: Fairfax adoption checklist
This checklist prevents the most common wasted trips: wrong campus, late arrival, missing ID, no carrier, rental restrictions, or choosing a pet without a first-week plan.
Lost pets, found pets and reclaim help in Fairfax County
Fairfax County’s found-pets page separates pets physically at the shelter from found reports where the pet is being cared for by the finder. Only pets listed as “Animal in Custody” are physically at the shelter. If you think your pet is there, email or call to make a reclaim appointment; email is preferred.
What to bring to redeem your pet
- Valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Current rabies certificate for your pet.
- Money to purchase a dog license if your dog does not already have one.
- Payment for impound and boarding fees charged per night.
- Microchip registration, vet records, adoption papers, clear photos and other ownership proof.
- Animal ID, listing screenshot or description if you found your pet on the found-pets page.
Fairfax County reclaim fees
| Fee type | Published amount | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog/cat first impoundment | $25 | Bring payment and proof quickly to reduce boarding days. |
| Dog/cat second impoundment | $50 | Repeat impoundments cost more. |
| Dog/cat third or more | $75 | Ask about any additional requirements or citations. |
| Dog/cat boarding | $20 per day | Boarding fees increase each day the pet is at the shelter. |
| Small companion animal impound | $20 | Includes rabbits, rodents, ferrets, reptiles and exotic animals. |
| Livestock impound | $50–$100 | Amount depends on animal size; boarding can also apply. |
Owner surrender and found-stray rules
Fairfax County accepts owner-surrendered pets from Fairfax County residents by appointment only. After you submit a profile, shelter staff review it and reach out for a phone consultation about surrender and retention options. If surrender is needed, an appointment is scheduled during that consultation.
Before applying to surrender
Fairfax County Field Services / Animal Control
Fairfax County Animal Services Officers respond to animal-related safety concerns, conduct investigations, support public safety and help with domestic animals, livestock and wildlife in distress. For immediate emergencies call 911. For animal-related assistance including wildlife concerns, use the non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.
Situations Fairfax County Field Services may help with
- Animal bite or rabies-related incident.
- Animal cruelty or neglect concern.
- Dangerous animal or public-safety concern.
- Stray animal capture or field response.
- Wildlife in distress, depending on the situation.
- Livestock or unusual animal-related concerns.
- Community education about animal laws and pet safety.
Pet resources, clinics, community cats, foster and volunteer help
Fairfax County Animal Services is not only an adoption desk. It also connects residents with pet resources, vaccine and microchip clinics, spay/neuter voucher support, community cat information, foster, volunteer and donation programs.
Fairfax Shelter action planner
Use this quick helper before calling or driving. It does not search live pet inventory or contact Fairfax County; it gives you the right preparation path.
Maps to Fairfax County Animal Shelter campuses
Use the maps for route planning only. Always confirm the pet’s campus, live availability, service hours and appointment requirements before driving.
Michael R. Frey Campus — Fairfax
4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Lorton Campus
8875 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Maps are for directions only. Official hours, pet availability and service rules should be verified through Fairfax County Animal Services.
Related Northern Virginia animal shelter guides
If a lost pet may have crossed county lines or you are comparing adoption options across Northern Virginia, check the correct local shelter system. These related guides are used once and should be verified with the official shelter before visiting.
Common Fairfax County shelter mistakes to avoid
Call and email scripts for faster help
Call and email scripts for faster help
Clear messages help staff route your question faster.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter FAQs
Where is Fairfax County Animal Shelter located?
Fairfax County Animal Services has two campuses: Michael R. Frey Campus at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030, and Lorton Campus at 8875 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079.
What is the phone number for Fairfax County Animal Shelter?
The main public shelter phone number is 703-830-1100. For animal-related assistance including wildlife concerns, use the non-emergency line at 703-691-2131. Call 911 for immediate emergencies.
What are Fairfax County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Public adoption hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 12–5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 12–7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and closed Monday. The last adoption application is taken 30 minutes before closing.
Does Fairfax County Animal Shelter have same-day adoptions?
Yes. Fairfax County says both campuses are open for same-day, walk-in adoptions during public adoption hours.
How much are dog adoption fees at Fairfax County Animal Shelter?
Published dog fees are $200 for dogs 2–6 months, $150 for dogs 7 months–5 years, and $100 for dogs 6 years and older.
How much are cat adoption fees at Fairfax County Animal Shelter?
Published cat fees are $150 for cats 2–6 months, $75 for cats 7 months–5 years, and $50 for cats 6 years and older.
What is included with dog, cat and rabbit adoptions?
Fairfax County says dogs, cats and rabbits adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on age-appropriate vaccines before going home.
What should I do if I lost my pet in Fairfax County?
View the official found-pets page, check whether the pet is listed as “Animal in Custody,” then email or call to make a reclaim appointment if your pet is physically at the shelter.
What do I need to redeem my pet?
Bring valid photo ID, current rabies certificate, money for a dog license if needed, and money for impound and boarding fees. Photos, microchip details and vet records can also help prove ownership.
Can I surrender a pet to Fairfax County Animal Shelter?
Fairfax County accepts owner-surrendered pets from Fairfax County residents by appointment only after review and phone consultation. Proof of residency and medical records help the process.
Does Fairfax County accept stray cats?
Fairfax County says it accepts stray cats found in Fairfax County only if they are sick or injured, declawed, microchipped or wearing a collar. Free-roaming adult community cats should generally be left where they are.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Fairfax County Animal Services website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent guide. Use official Fairfax County pages for final live details.
Final takeaway
For Fairfax County Animal Shelter, the most important steps are simple: confirm the correct campus, check the pet’s official profile, visit during public adoption hours, arrive before the final 30-minute application cutoff, and bring the right documents. For lost pets, use the found-pets page and reclaim appointment process. For surrender, use the appointment and retention-review route. For animal-related assistance, use 703-691-2131 or 911 for immediate emergencies.