Celebrate Adopt A Shelter Pet Day At Fairfax County Animal Shelter

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Millions of pets are awaiting adoption in shelters across the country, including through Fairfax County Animal Shelter on Adopt a Shelter Pet Day Saturday.

Adopt A Shelter Pet Day, observed every year on April 30, was set aside to raise awareness of the millions of cats, dogs and other pets waiting for adoption at 3,500 animal shelters across the country.

In Fairfax County, people looking for a pet should consider adopting rather than buying from a pet store or breeder, according to animal welfare advocates.

Patch regularly features adoptable pets at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. There are a variety of cats, dogs and small pets to choose from.

Perhaps you need a walking companion as the weather warms up? Check out available dogs like Snow the Siberian husky mix.

Maybe you need more of an indoor companion? There are some cool cats available like Ernie, who will impress you with his tuxedo coat.

If you like guinea pigs, consider the bonded pair of Autumn and Snowflake. Guinea pigs typically need to live in groups, so this pair is a package deal.

Potential adopters can schedule an appointment at animalshelter@fairfaxcounty.gov to visit the shelter and meet pets. More information on the adoption process is available here. See a full directory of adoptable pets online.

About 3.2 million cats and 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters every year, according to the ASPCA, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

About 2.1 million cats and 2 million dogs are adopted every year, but some never make it out. About 530,000 cats and 390,000 dogs are euthanized every year, according to the ASPCA.

There is some evidence that awareness campaigns such as Adopt a Shelter Pet Day and adoption events are reducing the number of companion animals that languish in shelters or are put down. The ASPCA also said more lost pets are returned to their owners now than a decade ago, when 6.2 million of the 7.2 million cats and dogs entering shelters were euthanized.

There are multiple reasons to adopt a pet. One of the big ones is the money you’ll save.

Buying a pet isn’t cheap. Both purebred dogs and purebred cats can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. The record spent for a dog appears to be $1.95 million, the amount a Chinese businessman spent to acquire a Tibetan mastiff, a status symbol in China.

A couple of other examples: A Samoyed, an ancient breed from Siberia, costs about $14,000 as a puppy, and the cost of a Corgi ranges from around $700 to $2,000.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter's fees depend on the kind of pet, from $5 for hamsters and mice to between $50 and $150 for cats and $100 to $200 for dogs.