The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently lauded the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter for reaching its 20th anniversary.
The nonprofit, which supports the animal shelter through fundraising, celebrated the occasion by bringing a number of adoptable shelter dogs to the Board Auditorium on June 10.
“If you fall in love with any of them … leave here and race to one of the shelters,” Board Chairman Jeff McKay said when presenting a resolution honoring the Friends group’s anniversary. “Your beloved animal might be right around the corner.”
The Friends group was established in 2005 by Evelyn Grieve and Karen Diviney, the latter being a former director of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
In remarks to the Board of Supervisors, Grieve — who serves as the organization’s president and CEO — said support from the county made a pivotal contribution to its success.
The county government allows the group to insert informational fliers into mailings for dog licenses, personal property taxes and businesses licenses.
“It helps us do what we can do every day to help the pets at the shelter,” Grieve said.
Each year, between 4,000 to 5,000 companion animals pass through the shelter’s doors. Funds raised by the Friends group in 2024 supported efforts including:
- Leashes and collars with personalized tags provided for 2,579 adopted cats and dogs
- Parasite prevention administered to 2,189 cats, 1,821 dogs and 135 rabbits.
- Lifesaving and life-improving medical care performed on 46 pets suffering from injury, illness or abuse
- Dental care and pain relief provided for 47 pets with significant periodontal disease
- Spaying and/or neutering surgeries and vaccinations performed on 622 community cats, markedly reducing pet overpopulation and disease
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter now operates two locations: the Lorton Campus, located at 8875 Lorton Road, and the Michael R. Frey campus, located at 4500 West Ox Road near Fair Lakes.
Both locations are open six days per week, with hours ranging from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The Friends group provides both financial and volunteer support to shelter operations. In the most recently reported fiscal year, ending December 2023, the organization had $594,000 in revenues and $460,000 in expenses.
