Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter

About FFCAS
More than 5,000 animals, including cats, dogs, small mammals, reptiles and livestock, come to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter each year. The shelter opens its doors — and its heart — to care for each and every animal. But, the shelter can't do it alone. Thankfully, the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter is here to help. Through donor and volunteer support, we provide medical care, food, supplies and so much more to help the shelter care for these loving animals. In doing so, we help save lives — together. READ MORE...

NEWS FFCAS Launches Rabbit Spay & Neuter voucher program
Beginning in 2010, FFCAS will begin providing vouches to people adopting rabbits from the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. With the voucher, the adopter will only be responsible for a $25.00 co-payment, hundreds of dollars less than the average cost of the surgery. The rest of the cost of the procedure will be covered by FFCAS. By having this procedure done, owners are helping us control the homeless rabbit population in Fairfax County by preventing unwanted births and curbing many of the behavioral problems that lead
owners to surrender pet rabbits to the shelter. Click here to learn more about the benefits of rabbit spay/neuter.

SPECIAL THANKS 10-year-old animal-lover donates allowance to help Liberty
Lizzie, a 10-year-old competitive, precision jump roper and 4th grade student at Rosa Parks Elementary School read Liberty's story on the FFCAS web site and knew she wanted to help. With her mom Melanie's help, Lizzie generously donated her $5.00 allowance to help pay for Liberty's medical care.

In addition to animals, Lizzie enjoys drawing, playing on the computer and her Nintendo DS. She has a Bichon Frise named Fluff, a cat named Sweetsie and tropical fish.

Photo of Annie the terrier

NEWS Neglected Bichon gets a fresh start
The sweet seven-year-old bichon came to the Fairfax County animal shelter as a stray and was a mess. Besides being in desperate need of grooming, he came in with a severe flea allergy, a dermititis condition that needed multiple treatments and grade four dental disease. Despite all of these conditions, he was a happy and friendly dog, so the shelter reached out to the FFCAS. His treatments were paid for, and he has gone on to be a great companion to a lucky local family.

Photo of Annie the terrier

NEWS Terrier receives much needed care
Annie, a five-year-old terrier mix was suffering from painful bladder stones. If untreated the stones could have damaged her kidneys or other vital organs. FFCAS stepped in and Annie was treated and is recovering well after her surgery.

photo of beagle

NEWS Beagle recovers from traumatic past
The young, sweet natured male beagle came to the shelter as a stray. Right away, shelter staff suspected something wasn't right with the dog. After having him evaluated by two vets, in was determined that at some point in his short life the little beagle had sustained a serious injury to his right front leg. Due to the age and the extent of the injury, the only treatment was to have the leg amputated to eliminate the pain he was experiencing. FFCAS funded the operation, and the dog is adapting well to life with three legs.

NEWS FFCAS saves daredevil kitten
The little two month old kitten was in foster care when he fell off a cat tree and was rushed to the vet. With a broken femur, surgery was this kittens only chance to recover. Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter stepped in within hours and provided the funds needed to pay for the kitten's surgery. After spending a couple days at the vet, this precocious kitty was back at his foster home to heal further before going up for adoption.

NEWS Safe Haven pup gets much needed dental
The Fairfax County animal shelter turned to the FFCAS when a small dog being kept at the shelter as part of the county's Safe Haven program needed help. The Safe Haven program gives victims of domestic violence a safe place to leave their pet while they seek assistance. The dog being boarded at the shelter was badly in need of hundreds of dollars worth of dental care. With money set aside for the Safe Haven program, FFCAS was able to assist.

FFCAS calendar now available!
This 12-month calendar is filled with beautiful photos of actual Fairfax County shelter animals. All proceeds from the calendar sales support the FFACS. To purchase yours, visit www.lulu.com.

NEWS Puppy mill dogs get a new start
Recently, Fairfax Animal County Shelter Director Karen Diviney received a call from an Humane Society of the United States representative asking for help with 13 poodle and Maltese mix dogs. They were from a Pennsylvania puppy mill raid. Diviney knew that there would be challenges getting them ready for new homes. Most of the dogs were in good health. But, many needed grooming, socialization and dental work. And, needed routine care and sterilization.

“We wanted to help. But in these difficult financial times, the shelter's year-end budget just could not afford the dental and grooming services,” said Diviney.

The shelter turned to the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FFACS), who immediately stepped forward with the funds. In addition to the dental procedures and the much needed grooming, FFCAS paid for an electrocardiogram for one little poodle mix with a heart murmur.

“Our donors make it possible for us to help,” said FFCAS Vice President Cynthia Kochendarfer. “We're grateful for the generosity of our community.”

To date, 11 of the 13 puppy mill dogs have already found new homes.

NEWS Volunteers attend neonatal kitten training
For the second time this year, the FFCAS will be paying the registration fee for six Fairfax County Animal Shelter volunteers to attend a valuable training. The volunteers will learn how to properly feed and care for neonatal kittens. Once the volunteers complete the training, they'll be able to care for unweaned kittens housed at the shelter.

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