The SPCA of Northern Virginia is a no-kill, all-volunteer rescue serving the Washington metro area. It has no shelter building; cats and dogs live in foster homes until they are adopted. It also runs SPAY Inc., a spay and neuter assistance program. Here is how adoption, fostering, and its programs work.
The SPCA of Northern Virginia is a no-kill, all-volunteer, foster-based rescue. It does not run a shelter building; cats live in foster homes, and dogs live in foster homes or a private kennel until they are adopted. Contact is by voicemail and email rather than a walk-in location.
It is separate from the area's municipal shelters, such as the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and Arlington's Animal Welfare League, which are government-run open-admission facilities. The SPCA of Northern Virginia adopts only to residents of the Washington metro area.
Because it is foster-based, you meet an animal in person at an adoption event or in its foster home, then apply. Dog adoptions include an application, a housecheck, and a reference check. Cats must be kept indoors and cannot be declawed, and kittens are adopted in pairs unless there is already a compatible young cat at home.
Specific adoption fees are not consistently published, so confirm the current fee for an animal you are interested in directly with the rescue. The organization cares for cats and dogs.
The rescue runs SPAY Inc., a program that provides discounted spay and neuter referrals and vouchers for Northern Virginia dogs and cats, and it supports community cats. Fostering, especially during kitten season in late spring through early fall, is the main way to help, and volunteers and fosters must be 18 or older, or accompanied by a parent at adoption events.
The SPCA of Northern Virginia holds a three-star rating from Charity Navigator with an 80 percent score, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 54-1627788.
Cats and dogs adopted from foster homes and events.
Discounted spay and neuter referrals and vouchers.
Help for community and outdoor cats.
The core of the rescue, especially during kitten season.
Where the public meets adoptable animals.
An all-volunteer organization run by its members.
Sources: SPCA of Northern Virginia (spcanova.org) about, SPAY Inc., and volunteer pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 54-1627788). Adoption fees and a precise founding year were not verified and are omitted. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with SPCA of Northern Virginia and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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