Helpful Links

ANIMAL WELFARE RESOURCES

Whether you manage a shelter, volunteer with a rescue, work in animal control, provide veterinary care, or need help with an animal in your community, these trusted resources can help you find practical information and support.

VFHS has organized this library by topic so you can quickly locate Virginia requirements, professional guidance, training, funding opportunities, operational tools, and services for pet owners.

Links are provided as a service to Virginia’s animal welfare community. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement, and external organizations are responsible for maintaining their own information and services.

WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU FIND?

I work or volunteer in animal welfare

Resources for shelters, rescues, animal control agencies, veterinary professionals, community cat groups, nonprofit leaders, and volunteers.

Browse Professional Resources --->

I need help with an animal or pet

Information about lost pets, affordable veterinary care, wildlife, poison emergencies, cruelty reporting, pet food assistance, and other public services.

Browse Help for Pet Owners -->

Resources for Animal Welfare Professionals

Virginia Laws & Reporting

Virginia laws, regulations, reporting systems, state agencies, and professional resources for animal welfare organizations.

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Community Lifesaving Programs

Resources for pet retention, foster care, community cats, reunification, transfer, transport, and community support.

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Emergency & Disaster Preparedness

Planning, training, sheltering, and response resources for animal-related emergencies and disasters.

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Shelter & Rescue Operations

Guidance, standards, training, and management tools for shelters, rescues, staff, and volunteers.

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Data, Standards & Research

Data tools, standards, dashboards, reports, and research for measuring shelter and community outcomes.

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VA Nonprofit Startup & Grant Opportunities

Resources and information for new nonprofits, as well as grants, fundraising, and professional growth.

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Veterinary Care & Shelter Medicine

Resources for preventive care, spay/neuter, behavior, handling, population health, and shelter medicine.

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Animal Control & Field Services

Guidance on animal control, cruelty investigations, animal law, field services, public safety, and professional practice.

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Species-Specific Resources

Trusted resources for cats, kittens, rabbits, birds, wildlife, and other species served by all kinds of Animal Welfare Organizations.

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HELP FOR PET OWNERS & THE PUBLIC

FIND A LOCAL SHELTER OR RESCUE

LOST OR FOUND PET

AFFORDABLE SPAY/NEUTER

PET POISON HELP 24/7

(888) 426-4435

INJURED OR ORPHANED WILDLIFE

Can’t Find What You Need?

Virginia’s animal welfare community is constantly changing, and new resources, programs, and opportunities become available throughout the year.

If you’re looking for a resource that isn’t listed here—or you know of a trusted resource that should be included—please let us know.

Help us keep this resource center current.
Have a correction, updated link, or resource recommendation? Send it to VFHS so we can review it for inclusion.