Somewhere between the summer cookouts and the long, warm evenings, many families find themselves thinking about getting a new dog or cat. It is a wonderful impulse. If you have been turning the idea over in your head, we want to help you think it through. Ultimately, summer at our animal shelter in Northern Virginia is not quite what people expect, in the best possible way.
Many families assume that because school is out and schedules are looser, the timing is perfect to adopt a pet this summer. However, summer is also the season when busy travel plans happen. New dogs and cats need consistency more than anything else during their first few weeks at home. Consequently, if your summer is packed with weekend trips, it might be best to wait until fall.
Myths About Summer Adoptions at Our Shelter
Another common myth we gently push back on is the puppy and kitten assumption. While summer brings an influx of young animals, they require hours of training and frequent vet visits. Meanwhile, some of the most wonderful pets in our care are the adult dogs and cats who get scrolled past.
These adult shelter animals are often already house-trained. Many of them will happily curl up next to you on the couch within their first week. They have already figured out who they are. Therefore, they are just waiting for the right person to notice them.
What Summer at FOHA Actually Looks Like
August at our animal shelter in Northern Virginia is exceptionally busy. Our intake numbers are high, and our dedicated team works hard to keep animals safe in the heat. Every dog and cat continues to receive personalized care, but summer is when community support makes the most visible difference.
Our animals are kept active with walks on wooded trails, group socialization, and daily enrichment. However, no shelter can fully replicate what it feels like for a pet to have their own family. To see our current residents, we invite you to view our adoptable dogs and cats.
Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adopting
Before you fill out an application, please be honest with yourself about your summer routine. Ask yourself these key questions:
- Will you be consistently home during the pet’s first few weeks of adjustment?
- Do you have a reliable pet care plan in place for your upcoming travel?
- Is your household currently stable enough to welcome a new family member?
If you answered yes, then it might be the perfect time to adopt. There is something quietly beautiful about spending a summer evening on a walk with a dog you just brought home. If the answer is not quite yet, that is completely okay too. The animals will still be here when you are ready.
In the meantime, fostering is one of the most meaningful ways you can help. It frees up space at the shelter while giving a pet a much-needed break from kennel life. You can read more about how fostering saves lives on the Petfinder shelter resource guide. Whether you choose to adopt, foster, or volunteer, your support moves the needle for an animal in need!
