Adopting from the King George Animal Control Shelter

Thank you for your interest in adopting an animal from the King George Animal Control (KGAC) Shelter!  While KGARL tries to help the KGAC as much as possible, we are not affiliated with the shelter and therefore have no authority to change the rules or personal knowledge of animals at the shelter. If you have specific questions about an animal at the shelter, please call the shelter at 540-775-2120. We will do as much as we can to help, but the shelter has the final decision on all adoptions. Please know that KGAC (KGAC Petfinder site) has rules for adoption which are outlined in the following paragraphs:

(1) Spayed/Neutered cats or dogs may be adopted by anyone (special rules apply to the adoption of Pitbull and Pitbull-Mix dogs - please contact King George Animal Control at 540-775-2120 for details).  Residents of King George have first option on available animals, over other individuals & organizations.  Other eligible adopters may adopt available animals on a first come, first serve basis.  Other Agencies & Certified Companion Animal Rescue Groups (501(c)(3) organizations) may also adopt animals per state law.

(2) Unsterilized animals may only be adopted by residents within King George, Westmoreland, Essex, Caroline, Spotsylvania, or Stafford Counties , and the city of Fredericksburg .   Residents of King George have first option on available animals, over other individuals & organizations.  Other eligible adopters may adopt available animals on a first come, first serve basis.  Other Agencies & Certified Companion Animal Rescue Groups (501(c)(3) organizations) may also adopt animals per state law.

(3) If you are an individual (not representing a Certified Companion Animal Rescue Group) interested in adopting an "Unsterilized" dog or cat, and you do not reside in one of above mentioned Virginia counties, you will need to contact a qualified 501(c)(3) organization to adopt the animal for you.

If you are able to adopt this animal directly from the shelter without the help of a 501(c)(3) (categories #1 or #2 above), please call the shelter IMMEDIATELY at 540-775-2120. If they do not answer, leave a message and keep calling during their open hours until you actually talk to someone. The shelter is understaffed, and are not able to return phone calls very often. There is a very real risk that they will be euthanizing in the morning, and it’s very important that they know that a particular animal has a potential adopter, so keep trying!

If you fall into the category of #3 above and cannot adopt from the shelter directly, you will need to find a qualified 501(c)3 organization to pull the animal for you. KGARL is not able to pull animals for individuals at this time.

Please be aware that not all animals are vaccinated or tested for diseases such as Heartworms, Parvo, Feline HIV or Feline Leukemia. Neither the King George Animal Control nor the King George Animal Rescue League makes any claims or guarantees as to the health of the animals at the shelter.