The Stafford County Animal Shelter is celebrating another heartwarming adoption story. Dax, a tri-colored Beagle, arrived at the shelter as a stray in September 2024. Despite his friendly demeanor and gentle nature, Dax spent 68 days waiting for someone to notice him. No one came forward to claim him, and potential adopters often passed him by.

Throughout his stay, shelter volunteers ensured Dax received plenty of care, exercise, and socialization. They took him on outdoor adventures and showered him with affection, but Dax’s longing for a forever home remained.

That changed when a family finally recognized Dax’s charm and decided to adopt him. His new owners report that Dax has fully embraced his new life, earning the title of “ultimate snuggle bug.” Whether it’s curling up on the couch or nestling under a pile of blankets, Dax has quickly become a cherished member of the family.

The Stafford County Animal Shelter is thrilled with Dax’s happy ending and hopes his story inspires others to consider adoption. “Seeing animals like Dax find loving homes is why we do what we do,” said shelter staff.

The shelter encourages anyone looking for a new pet to visit and meet their adoptable animals. They also invite previous adopters to share updates on their pets, highlighting the joy and companionship that adoption brings.

For more information, contact the Stafford County Animal Shelter:

Stafford County Animal Shelter
26 Frosty Lane, Stafford, VA 22554
Phone: 540.658.7387
Email: animalshelter@staffordcountyva.gov

Hours of Operation:

• Monday-Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Closed on Sundays and holidays

Consider giving a pet like Dax a second chance—visit the Stafford County Animal Shelter and discover your new best friend.

Two lost dogs are currently waiting to reunite with their families at the Stafford County Animal Shelter. If you recognize these pets, please contact the shelter as soon as possible.

Gray and White Mixed Breed Dog

• Gender: Male, intact
• Weight: 22 pounds
• Found: January 14, 2025, on Carriage Hill Road, 22405
• Details: No collar, no microchip

Female Yorkie

• Weight: Approximately 6 pounds
• Found: January 13, 2025, on Little Oak Road, 22405
• Details: Wearing a sweater (put on by shelter staff), no collar, microchipped but not registered to the current owner

Proof of ownership, such as a photo ID, is required to claim these dogs.

Stafford County Animal Shelter

26 Frosty Lane
Stafford, VA 22554

• Phone: 540-658-7387
• Email: animalshelter@staffordcountyva.gov

Hours for Walk-In Visits:

• Monday-Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Closed Sundays and holidays

Please share to help these dogs find their way back home.

A Stafford County driver discovered an unexpected stowaway, a kitten named “Kitty Purry,” in the engine compartment of his Toyota RAV4 after stopping at a 7-Eleven on Solomon Road.

Deputy O.J. Martins and his team spent an hour and a half safely rescuing the frightened kitten, using tools like a lockout kit, snake hook, and snappy snare to dismantle parts of the engine. Kitty Purry was taken to the Animal Shelter and will be available for adoption soon.

Press release:

We know the Toyota RAV4 has 203 horsepower, but not every model can boast kitten power!

As the weather got Hot N Cold, Kitty Purry snuggled up in the engine compartment of a Toyota RAV4 while the driver ran errands around Stafford County this morning. When the driver stopped at the Solomon Road 7-Eleven, he heard a small Roar from the engine compartment and realized there was a stowaway on board.

Deputy O. J. Martins responded to the scene and developed a plan to extract the frightened kitten with the assistance of patrol deputies and the vehicle owner. Over the next hour and a half, there were quite the
Fireworks, as the group dismantled parts in the engine compartment and utilized a lockout kit, snake hook and snappy snare to safely remove Kitty Purry. She was transported to the Animal Shelter and will have quite a story to share about Last Friday (Night).

Firefighters may be known for getting cats out of trees, but our deputies can get a kitten from your engine! If your Teenage Dream is to own a cat, we can make that dream come true at our Animal Shelter. Kitty Purry is not yet ready for adoption, but you can e-mail animalshelter@staffordcountyva.gov to express your interest. There are plenty of other pets available immediately for loving homes.

A huge thank you to Deputy Martins and team for this animal rescue!

On Saturday, Aug. 10, the Stafford County Animal Shelter will host its sixth annual “Clear the Shelter” adoption event. This summer, the shelter has been overwhelmed by the number of pets surrendered by owners for many reasons, including increasing costs of pet care.

The shelter is legally required to take in all animals brought to them. Stafford County Sheriff’s Capt. Joseph Bice, who oversees the shelter, said, “We’re getting dogs at a rate of three to one compared to the rate of adoption.” He added, “We want to provide care and a place for them to stay, but the problem is space…In 2014, we took in around 330 dogs. Last year, we took in over a thousand, and this year we’re on track to take in 1,200 to 1,400.”

Adoption fees for Saturday’s event have been covered for the day by Ginger Walker and Give Back Team Real Estate. Walker helped start the “Clear the Shelter” program at the Stafford Animal Shelter, having sponsored animals for the past six years at the current location at 26 Frosty Lane, and an additional four years at the prior location. Winter said “my goal every year is for the shelter to be completely empty” after the event; after last year’s, there were still a few dogs and cats left at the shelter. Winter said almost everyone on the Give Back Team has adopted an animal from the shelter. The Give Back Team donates to a charity of the client’s choice after every closing, and has donated over $1 million to local charities.

The animal shelter will be open at 9 a.m. and will have several vendors who have each pledged a portion of their proceeds to the shelter. At the event, Lianafit Canine Training, offering mini training sessions for the first 10 adoptions.  Whimsical Faces will provide face painting,  and B101.5 is providing music.

The shelter’s event has been shared on their social media. In addition to visiting the event’s vendors and adopting animals, citizens can help by donating to the shelter or purchasing supplies from their Amazon and Chewy wishlists.

The Stafford County Animal Shelter is experiencing a significant increase in pet surrenders as residents struggle with rising pet care costs. The shelter has seen unprecedented number of animals, leading to capacity issues.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Capt. Joseph Bice, who oversees the shelter, explained the situation. “In the two and a half years I’ve been here, the number of dogs we’re taking in is extraordinary. We’re getting dogs at a rate of three to one compared to the rate of adoption.”

According to Bice, several factors contribute to the surge in surrenders. “People got pets during COVID and are now deciding they don’t have time for them anymore. The cost of dog food, veterinary care, and medicine has gone up. There’s also a shortage of veterinarians in the U.S., which drives up costs further.”

Many pet owners find the financial burden too much. “Cost is something we’re hearing more often now,” Bice said. We spend about $70 a month on food for our three dogs. Veterinary care has also become more expensive.”

Dog food costs have seen a noticeable increase, reflecting broader inflation trends. At Target, this rise is evident across various famous brands and types of dog food. For instance, Pedigree, a widely recognized brand, now has its dry dog food priced from about $6.69 for smaller bags to $16.99 for larger quantities.

Similarly, Kindfull, another popular brand, offers its dry dog food at $24.99 for a 13-pound bag. This price indicates a broader trend where premium and mid-range dog food products are seeing higher price tags, pushing average pet food costs upwards.

Purina ONE, known for its quality and nutritional value, is priced around $31.99 for a 16.5-pound bag. Even wet dog food, such as the offerings from Cesar, has not been immune to these increases. At Target, Cesar wet dog food containers are priced between $1.29 and $2.39 per 3.5-oz container, reflecting higher costs that can add up quickly for those feeding larger breeds or multiple pets.

In addition to financial strain, behavioral issues are a common reason for surrender. “Some pets developed behavioral problems during COVID because they weren’t socialized properly,” Bice noted. “We try to help these dogs by providing training and working with volunteers.”

The shelter is legally required to take in all animals brought to them. “We want to provide care and a place for them to stay, but the problem is space,” Bice said. “Since 2014, the number of dogs taken in has skyrocketed. In 2014, we took in around 330 dogs. Last year, we took in over a thousand, and this year we’re on track to take in 1,200 to 1,400.”

The shelter is at capacity despite moving into a larger facility in 2018. “The facility was designed with 28 kennels for adoptable dogs. We’re currently housing around 60 dogs,” Bice said.

The shelter uses social media to highlight animals that are available for adoption. “Social media has been a great tool for us to showcase the dogs and highlight their personalities to potential adopters,” Bice said. However, managing social media requires additional resources, adding to the shelter’s operational strain.

The shelter encourages people to consider adoption. The shelter is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and is located at 26 Frosty Lane, off the 140 exit of I-95. Volunteers are also welcome to help with various tasks around the shelter.

For more information on adopting an animal or volunteering, visit the Stafford County Animal Shelter.

Stafford County Animal Shelter has once again reached capacity and is pleading for adoptions and fosters.

In the month of June, the shelter has “had a record 32 dogs surrendered to our shelter in just 20 days,” according to their Facebook page. In addition to the surrenders, the shelter has had 23 stray dogs, with only 18 being reunited with their owners so far. They posted “57 dogs [are] currently in our care – 41 of them are available for adoption. This situation is unprecedented and simply not maintainable. Despite reaching out to our community countless times in the past few months, we find ourselves in an even worse situation each time we catch a glimpse of relief and the fact is, we are now at a breaking point.”

The Stafford County Animal Shelter is not a no-kill shelter. They announced “until further notice, we will be taking surrenders on an emergency-only basis. Additionally, adoption fees will be waived for the remainder of the month.”

Information on fostering and adopting animals, and a list of donations needed is available online.

Stafford County’s Animal Shelter is facing a dire situation as it grapples with an unprecedented number of dogs in its care. Animal Captain Joe Bice revealed that the shelter has far exceeded its capacity.

“Last year, we adopted or transferred 583 dogs, with an average stay of 21 days in the shelter,” stated Bice. “However, we’ve been over adoption capacity for most of 2023 and 2024.”

The facility, originally designed to hold 18 dogs, now accommodates 67 canines, including those in intake, court holding, isolation, and the Sheriff’s Office K-9 area.

Describing the breeds available for adoption, Bice listed a variety, including Pitbulls, Hounds, Huskies, Corso mixes, Great Dane mixes, and several small breeds.

Those interested in providing a forever home for one of these dogs can visit the shelter or browse their website. Bice outlined the adoption process, noting that there are no jurisdictional restrictions for already altered dogs, while those in adjoining counties can adopt unaltered dogs. The shelter is running a “name your price” promotion for adoption fees, typically $45.

When asked about the factors contributing to the influx of dogs, Bice mentioned the challenges post-COVID, noting a steady increase in surrenders and unclaimed strays without corresponding adoptions.

The Stafford County Animal Shelter, located at 26 Frosty Lane in Stafford, operates from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays.

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