Gift Wrap A Pet in Need Starting Today

It’s that time of year again, where shopping for the perfect gift becomes an art form and four-legged, furry friends are in high demand.

If a new pet is on your gift list this year, stop by the Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s “Operation Empty Cage”, which kicks off on today. The  event is part of the county’s annual two-month-long Home 4 the Holidays animal adoption program, and the goal is to find a home for all animals available for adoption this holiday season. 

The annual Home 4 the Holidays initiative is launching two weeks earlier than in previous years to coordinate with National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week being held November 6-12, 2011. In five years, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter has been able to positively impact the lives of more than 20,400 animals.

“Each year, homeless animals in Fairfax County spend the holidays in an animal shelter cage versus in a loving home,” said Dr. Karen P. Diviney, Fairfax County Animal Shelter director. “Operation Empty Cage aims to change that by giving these animals the gift of a new family and by enriching families through the unconditional love that a pet can provide.” 

As an added incentive to adopt a pet in need, the shelter will offer free spay/neuter services for the first 100 animals adopted through December 31, 2011. Adoptions will occur up to half an hour before the shelter closes each day, and the animals can be seen during business hours from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays. 

For more information, call the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at 703-830-1100.