Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl, Adoption Updates, Rabbit Care Essentials and More!

Fairfax County, Virginia sent this bulletin at 02/06/2024 10:01 AM EST

Fairfax County Animal Shelter

News and Information

Feb. 2024

Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl

Fee-Waived Adoptions for Dogs 45 Pounds and Larger Feb. 8-11

Get ready for an electrifying showdown! The Fairfax County Animal Shelter presents the Adoption Bowl, a fee-waived adoption event for dogs 45 pounds and over, taking place Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 8-11.

This one-of-a-kind event pits Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis against Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler against each other in a chief vs. chief challenge. Each chief will lead a "team" of adoptable dogs and at the end of the event, the winning team will be announced based on the number of adoptions. It’s a friendly competition to see which chief can find the most homes for their canine companion squad!

Learn More

Adoption Updates From Two Long Length-of-Stay Pets

Wilson

Wilson arrived at our shelter as a stray in January of 2023. During his year-long stay with us, he went on countless 'power hour' adventures with our volunteers, had a special birthday party, played endless games of fetch and captured our hearts. We knew there was a home out there for him!

Then, it finally happened! In late January, Wilson's new dad stopped by our shelter twice to meet him. He even brought along some tennis balls during the second visit after hearing how much Wilson loves them.

In an email update, his dad shared with us that Wilson settled right in to his new home! When his dad was recently sick in bed, Wilson spent the whole day by his side. We look forward to sharing more updates on this beloved pup!

Kung Fu

Kung Fu came into our care in early August of 2023 and charmed our staff and volunteers with his hilarious big stretches, not-so-subtle demands for food and the way he played with catnip toys (picture a T-Rex trying to pick up a hot potato).

On New Years Eve, his new mom visited our shelter looking for a lively and independent cat. Our team introduced her to Kung Fu, and the rest was meant to be!

His mom shared this update with this: "He has taken full control of both my couch and my heart. He still very much enjoys stretching out and relaxing. He has also developed quite the taste for watching birds, squirrels, and people out the window of my sliding door. We have had loads of fun getting to know each other and I look forward to enjoying what life has to bring with this big guy."

Keeping Pets and Families Together Through Reunification

Bella is back home with her family thanks to our amazing customer care team!

When a household guest accidentally left a door open, little Bella decided to go on an adventure around her neighborhood! Thankfully, she was brought to our Michael R. Frey Campus and our customer care team got in touch with her family.

Bella's mom wrote to us: "I was so relieved that they had found her because I was in tears before speaking to Fairfax County Department of Animal Sheltering. I’d like to thank everyone involved from start to finish."

By reuniting lost pets with their guardians, our team is dedicated to keeping pets and families together!

Three questions to ask yourself right now to ensure a swift reunion if your pet goes missing:

1. Does your pet have a microchip?

Microchips provide permanent pet identification and are essential in reuniting lost pets with their guardians! Even if your pet spends the majority of their time indoors, we recommend microchipping them as unintentional accidents can occur, just like in Bella's story!

2. Is your pet wearing identification?

Identification tags on your pet's collar are an immediate visual cue for anyone who finds your pet. These tags typically include your pet's name and your contact information. Having visible identification greatly increases the chances of a quick reunion if your pet goes missing.

3. Is your contact information accurate and up-to-date?

Take a moment to ensure the information registered to your pet's microchip and on their identification tags is correct and updated.

The Essentials of Rabbit Care

Fairfax County Animal Shelter is more than a shelter; we are a trusted resource for providing personalized guidance on adopting a pet - including rabbits!

Rabbits are loving and playful companions, and our expert team can guide you through the essential aspects of their care, tailoring solutions to fit your unique needs while ensuring a happy, healthy life for your furry friend!

Here are some key considerations for creating a comfortable and enriching environment for your rabbit:

Create spacious housing for your rabbit: First, space is of the utmost importance for rabbits! Many people think that rabbits don’t require much room for housing or exercise but that’s simply not true! The minimum recommended enclosure for a single rabbit is 2’ x 2’ x 4’ – and again – that’s the minimum. The smaller the enclosure, the more time a rabbit should have running and hopping around outside of their housing – their legs were built for it!
Keep your rabbit indoors: Though there are ways to allow your rabbit safe outdoor exercise time, rabbits should be housed indoors. Outside, they are susceptible to dangers such as predatory animals and extreme temperatures. Plus, they want to be inside with you just like any other social species!
Provide rabbits with plenty of enrichment: Giving your rabbit a spacious indoor habitat with items that accommodate their innate instincts to chew, burrow and dig are also essential – and luckily this can be done rather easily by providing things like a big cardboard box for them to hide in, hay (a dietary staple) or alfalfa cubes for them to nibble on and old scraps of carpet to scratch up!

If you have questions about pet adoption or would like to see small animals (like Angel) who are waiting to go home with you, visit our website.

Helped by Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter: Spotlight on Margie

When Margie arrived at our shelter, she needed extensive medical care. She was struggling to breathe, her tongue turning purple from an insufficient supply of oxygen. She needed lifesaving surgery to improve her airways, and our nonprofit fundraising partner, Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter, generously provided the needed funding.

Thanks to Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter, the dedicated care of her foster family and our staff, Margie made a full recovery and was quickly adopted!

Upcoming Events

37th Mount Vernon Town Meeting

Join us at the 37th Mount Vernon Town Meeting! Meet local leaders and explore the Exhibit Hall. Enjoy a "virtual tour" of the District with Supervisor Dan Storck, followed by a Taste of Mount Vernon showcasing local restaurant samples.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Mount Vernon High School
8515 Old Mount Vernon Road, Alexandria, VA 22309
Learn More

Planned Giving and Financial Planning Webinar

Join Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter for an informative and free webinar about planned giving and financial planning options! Gain valuable insights into creating a lasting impact from expert panelists.

Thursday, Feb. 29, 7 to 8 p.m.
Register for This Free Webinar

Vaccine and Microchip Clinics

Fairfax County Animal Shelter offers monthly low-cost vaccination and microchipping services for Fairfax County residents.

Upcoming Clinics:

Friday, Mar. 8, 9 to 11 a.m.
8875 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Learn More

Spread the Love: Shop our Amazon Wish Lists

From dog treats to supplies for neonatal kittens, our Amazon Wish Lists are kept up-to-date with our most needed items! You can buy directly from our wish list and the items will be delivered right to both of our shelters' doors.

View our Wish Lists

Fairfax County Government, Virginia

12000 Government Center Pkwy Fairfax, VA 22035
Website | 703-324-7329

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