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Where to adopt a shelter pet in Richmond

Find your family’s next furry friend through one of these local animal rescue organizations

A dog presenting his belly for rubs

Find the newest — and furriest — member of your family at one of these River City animal adoption organizations.

Photo via Richmond SPCA

Bringing home a furry friend is always an exciting adventure full of love, snuggles, and a chewed up shoe or two. We’ve done some digging to highlight local animal shelters looking for some purrfect parents to bring any four-legged friend to their fur-ever home.

Richmond SPCA, 2519 Hermitage Rd.
If you’re not looking to adopt, you can also volunteer, foster, or donate to this nonprofit founded in 1891.

  • Yes Chef | Orange/white cat| 7-year-old male
  • Tay Lord | White cat | 2-year-old female
  • Buckley | Mixed breed dog | 1-year-old male
  • Geraldine | Mixed breed dog | 3-year-old female
Puppy sitting on the grass

City Editor David adopted his cat, Poncho, from the Richmond SPCA in October 2023.

Photo by RICtoday

Richmond Animal League, 11401 International Drive
Since 1979, RAL has worked to provide temporary housing, medical treatment, and care to cats and dogs in the Richmond area. Visit the adoption center or fill out a questionnaire to see about adopting a pet in foster care.

  • Gummy Bear | Black cat | 9-year-old male
  • Winky | Grey cat | 2-year-old female
  • Laney | Mixed breed dog | 4-month-old female
  • Hunka Love | Mixed breed dog | 1-year-old male
RIC_Nyla and Oakley

Richmond SPCA relies on foster homes to care for dogs like Oakley (left) and Nyla (right).

Photos via Richmond SPCA

Richmond Animal Care and Control Foundation, 1600 Chamberlayne Ave.
The Foundation works with RACC, a city agency, to save cats, dogs, and other small animals like bunnies.

  • Baboon | White/brown rabbit | Adult female
  • Bumblebee | Barn cat | 2-year-old female

Richmond Ruff House, online
The House is a foster-based nonprofit founded in 2015. You can adopt puppies and dogs or check out their Amazon wish list to help with specific donations.

  • Lewis | Chihuahua | 8-month-old male
  • Yoko | Hound mix | 3-month-old female

Lost Dog Foundation/City Kitty Project RVA
The Lost Dog Foundation and its feline spinoff are devoted to helping stray animals around the Richmond area. With a focus on neutering, spaying, and humanely controlling the feral population, both organizations have loveable critters up for adoption.

If you can’t put your life on paws to fully adopt a new pet, organizations like RACC and Richmond SPCA are always looking for foster homes.

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