Friends of Gloucester County Animal Control VA

09/03/2026

Happy adoption day to sweet Mia!!! ❤️🎉🐶 Thank you for choosing to adopt a shelter pup! Have a wonderful life sweet girl!

08/31/2026

‼️REMINDER!!‼️ Stop by the shelter any day during September from 3:30-4:30pm to meet adoptable dogs!!

‼️ We are so excited to share that we will be open to the public EVERYDAY of the week from 3:30-4:30pm!! ‼️ Stop by to meet adoptable dogs and cats (& we have pigs!) any day and meet your new best friend 🫶 We are trialing this through the end of October and are so excited to see you!!

08/30/2026

✨ Sadie had the BEST weekend ever! ✨

This sweet girl got to go on a sleepover, be a brewery buddy, and make SO many new friends - people, dogs, and even cats! And after seeing her out in the world, we have one very important question…

How is Sadie STILL at the shelter?! 😭❤️

Sadie has been waiting for her forever home for MONTHS with no adoption interest, and honestly, we just don’t understand it. This girl is the definition of a love bug. Everyone she meets is instantly her new best friend, and she is on a mission to cover every single person she meets in kisses. 💋🐶

And Sadie absolutely LOVES other dogs! She lights up the second she sees another dog, and once again, every dog she meets is her new best friend. She especially loves a good rough-and-tumble play session, so if your dog enjoys playing hard, Sadie could be the perfect match! But she isn’t just a one-speed player. During her sleepover, Sadie spent time with dogs who weren’t interested in playing as much, and she was respectful of their boundaries. She seems to understand when another dog isn’t looking for a wrestling partner and is happy to coexist with them. 🐾

Sadie also met some cats and was curious but gentle. She would likely do well with cats who don’t mind having a playful dog around, with the usual slow introductions and supervision!

And the list of things Sadie did well this weekend just keeps going…
🚗 Great in the car
🛁 Perfect for her bath
🌙 Slept through the night
🏠 Seems to be housetrained and crate trained
🐶 Dog friendly
🐱 Curious and gentle with cats
👧 Would likely do well with sturdy kids who don’t mind lots of kisses
❤️ Professional-level snuggler and kiss giver

Sadie got a little taste of the good life this weekend, and we desperately want that life to become permanent for her!! She deserves a family who will take her on adventures, let her make approximately 7,000 new friends everywhere she goes, and most importantly, love her as much as she loves everyone she meets. She has been waiting long enough. 🥺

💌 Email [email protected] for an application!
⭐️ Stop by the shelter (6584 Beehive Dr) any day of the week from 3:30-4:30pm to meet her!

08/26/2026

Meet Aphrodite! 💕🐾

Aphrodite is a 1-year-old, 50 pound bundle of pure joy, and we are completely obsessed with this sweet girl! Seriously, Aphrodite is joy in a dog’s body. Everyone she meets is instantly her best friend, and she greets the world with the happiest personality. She is just one of those dogs who makes you smile the second you meet her. 🥹❤️

Aphrodite is also dog friendly and LOVES to play! Her favorite style is rough-and-tumble, so if you have a dog who loves to wrestle, chase, and play hard, Aphrodite could be the perfect playmate. 🐶 And when it’s time to head out for an adventure, Aphrodite is a great walking buddy! She does wonderfully on leash and is ready to explore the world with her person.

This girl has so much love and happiness to give. She’s playful, affectionate, friendly, and just an absolute delight to be around. If you’re looking for a dog who will greet you like you’re her favorite person in the entire world and bring a little more joy into your everyday life, you need to meet Aphrodite. 💕🐾

💌 Email [email protected] for an application!
⭐️ Stop by the shelter (6584 Beehive Dr) any day of the week from 3:30-4:30pm to meet her!

08/25/2026

So many of our shelter dogs go on to wonderful homes with other pets! 🐶🐱While having a furry sibling can be great for companionship, introducing a new dog to the household can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to help everyone start off on the right paw! 🐾

1️⃣ Start in a neutral place!
Before bringing your new dog straight into the house, consider starting with a walk somewhere neither animal considers their territory. A quiet neighborhood, park, or other low-stress area can be a great place for an initial introduction. Keep both dogs on leash and give them plenty of space. Let them walk near each other without forcing them to interact. Gradually decrease the distance if everyone is relaxed and comfortable. Remember, the goal of the first walk isn't for them to become best friends - it's simply to have a calm, positive experience together.

⬇️ Below are pictures of our shelter dogs on pack walks! These groups of dogs had never all met before and peacefully coexisted thanks to starting with a walk in a neutral place!! ⬇️

2️⃣ Keep the initial introductions short!
You don't need to let the animals spend hours together right away. Start with short, calm interactions and end on a positive note. Gradually increase the amount of time they spend together as everyone becomes more comfortable.

3️⃣ Use leashes, gates, & crates!
Management is your friend! Baby gates, exercise pens, crates, and leashes can give animals the ability to see and smell each other without being forced into close interaction. Give everyone their own space where they can retreat and relax.

4️⃣ Let them set the pace!
Some dogs will become friends immediately. Others may need days, weeks, or even longer to feel comfortable sharing their space. Don't force interactions or punish an animal for being nervous, growling, or wanting space. Instead, create distance and try again when everyone is calm.

Remember: Neutral is good! Your new dog and your resident pets don't have to be best friends. Peacefully coexisting, ignoring each other, and feeling comfortable in the same home are all HUGE wins!

The goal isn't to rush them into becoming a family. The goal is to help them feel safe enough to eventually choose to share their space. 🫶 A little patience in the beginning can make a huge difference in building a happy household for everyone. ❤️

08/25/2026

Meet Waldo! 💙

Waldo is a gorgeous brindle 7-month-old Great Dane mix who is looking for his forever home! This handsome boy recently went on a sleepover and had an absolute blast - and we learned that he is pretty much the perfect adventure buddy.

Waldo is dog friendly, kid friendly, and everyone he meets is instantly his best friend. Seriously, this guy has never met a stranger! 🥰

We think there may be some hound mixed into Waldo because this boy LOVES to sniff. Give him somewhere new to explore and his nose is on the ground, taking in every interesting scent. He would love a family who enjoys getting outside and giving him plenty of opportunities to explore!

And for a 7-month-old puppy, Waldo is impressively chill. Once he gets his puppy energy out with a good walk or some playtime, he is perfectly happy to curl up next to you and relax. During his sleepover, he even went to a brewery, had a wonderful time making new friends, and then settled right in for some serious relaxation!

Waldo is still a puppy, so he’ll need a family who is ready to provide him with training, structure, exercise, and guidance as he grows. But he’s already showing us what a wonderful companion he can be!

Whether you’re looking for a hiking buddy, a brewery buddy, a neighborhood walking buddy, or just someone to curl up next to at the end of the day, Waldo is ready to be your guy. ❤️

💌 Email [email protected] for an application!
⭐️ Stop by the shelter (6584 Beehive Dr) any day of the week from 3:30-4:30pm to meet him!

08/24/2026

Meet Gidget! 💕🐾

Gidget is a 7-month-old Great Dane mix puppy who is ready to find her forever family! She recently went on a sleepover and was an absolute dream of a house guest. 🥹 And for a puppy her age, she is remarkably chill!

Gidget is dog friendly, cat friendly, kid friendly, AND even farm animal friendly! Basically, Gidget is ready to be friends with everyone. 🐶🐱 We think Gidget would love having a dog sibling in her forever home! A confident, friendly dog could help show this young girl the ropes and give her a buddy to learn and grow alongside.

This sweet girl can be a little shy when meeting new people, but give her some time, patience, and a few tasty treats, and she opens right up! Once she’s comfortable, you’ll see just how sweet this girl really is.

And because Gidget is still a puppy, she’ll need a family who is willing to give her guidance, consistency, training, and plenty of patience as she learns the ropes. The good news? She’s eager to learn and ready to please!

Gidget is the kind of puppy who has the perfect combination of sweet, gentle, and easygoing. She has so much love to give, and all she needs now is someone to give her a forever home. ❤️

💌 Email [email protected] for an application!
⭐️ Stop by the shelter (6584 Beehive Dr) any day of the week from 3:30-4:30pm to meet her!

08/23/2026

⭐️ Bringing home a shelter dog? Yay! Remember the 3-3-3 rule! ⭐️

Adopting a dog is exciting, but it’s important to remember that your new best friend may need some time to decompress and adjust to their new life. The 3-3-3 rule is a helpful guideline for understanding what that adjustment can look like.

🐾 3 DAYS: DECOMPRESSION 🐾
The first few days can be overwhelming. Your new dog is suddenly in a completely different environment with new people, new smells, new routines, and new expectations. They may be nervous, quiet, tired, or even seem unlike the dog you met at the shelter. Give them time to breathe! Keep things calm and simple. Let them explore at their own pace, establish a safe space, and avoid overwhelming them with visitors, outings, or lots of new experiences right away.

🐾 3 WEEKS: SETTLING IN 🐾
After a few weeks, your dog may start to feel more comfortable and their personality may really begin to come out. They’re learning your routine, figuring out what’s expected of them, and starting to understand that this is home. This is a great time to establish consistent routines, continue positive-reinforcement training, and slowly introduce new experiences.

🐾 3 MONTHS: HOME 🐾
By around three months, many dogs have developed a strong bond with their family and have a much better understanding of their new life. They’re more comfortable in their environment, their routine feels familiar, and you may start seeing the dog you knew was in there all along. ❤️

But remember: the 3-3-3 rule is a guideline, not a timeline! Every dog is different. Some settle in within days, while others need much longer. Dogs who have experienced stress, neglect, multiple homes, or other difficult circumstances may need extra patience and support. The most important thing you can give a newly adopted dog is time, patience, consistency, and a safe place to land.

And remember - the dog you meet at the shelter is not necessarily the dog you’ll see once they feel safe and comfortable at home. Give them a chance to become themselves! 🐶

08/23/2026

Ghost is back at the shelter - through absolutely no fault of his own - and our favorite shepherd is still waiting for his forever home. ❤️‍🩹🥺

Ghost is a volunteer favorite, and it’s really no surprise why. This boy LOVES people! While some shepherds can be a little standoffish with new people, Ghost is thrilled to meet you. He loves attention, getting pets, going for walks, and splashing around in the kiddie pools. Honestly, he’s just happiest when he’s spending time with his favorite people. 💙

And true to his shepherd nature, Ghost thrives on routine, enrichment, and having a job to do. He is incredibly smart and genuinely loves to learn. His ideal person will be someone who wants to spend time with their dog every day working both their brain and their body. Ghost is not the dog for someone looking to take a quick walk around the block and call it a day - he wants to be involved! If you’re looking for a true adventure buddy and think training, enrichment, exercise, and spending quality time with your dog sounds like fun, Ghost could be your perfect match. 🐾

We think Ghost’s most ideal home would be one where he can be the only dog. He is reactive to other dogs while on leash, but he made some really great progress during his previous stay at the shelter when our volunteers and ACOs took the time to work with him. We’re absolutely happy to talk with potential adopters who have another dog - especially if you’re shepherd-savvy or have experience working with reactive dogs before. We want to find Ghost the right match, and we’re happy to help make that happen! 🫶

Ghost has so much love, intelligence, and personality to give. He just needs someone willing to show up for him every day and give him the life he deserves. ❤️ Come meet Ghost and give this handsome boy another chance at his forever home!

💌 Email [email protected] for an application!
⭐️ Stop by the shelter (6584 Beehive Dr) any day of the week from 3:30-4:30pm to meet him!

08/21/2026

⭐️ Come meet Waldo, Gidget, and Mia at the Gloucester Petco tomorrow from 2-4pm!! ⭐️

We’ll be there with these three cuties, ready to answer questions and collect donations 🫶

💙 Waldo (brindle, male, 6 months, Great Dane mix) is the curious adventurer. He's always excited to explore the world around him and is ready for whatever fun comes next!

🩷 Gidget (black & white, female, 6 months, Great Dane mix) is a little more thoughtful, preferring to take it all in before jumping into the action. She's gentle, observant, and has the sweetest personality!

💜 Mia (brown & white, female, 6 months, Jack Russel mix) is the queen of playtime! This little girl is all about being part of the adventure and loves cuddles just as much.