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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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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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