Frankie’s FriendsLoading…
Need help with an animal
We wish we could help every animal. We are a foster-based rescue with no building, so we can only take in as many animals as we have foster homes — which usually means we cannot help immediately. Please read the options below; they will get an animal help faster than waiting for us.
Almost certainly not, and we would rather tell you straight away than leave you waiting on an email. Every animal we accept needs a foster home first, and our foster homes are usually full. We are not a shelter and we have no kennels.
The options below will get an animal help faster than we can. If you have worked through them and are still stuck, write to us anyway — tell us the species, age, and what is going on, and we will be honest about whether we can do anything.
Start here. A stray is far more likely to be a lost pet than an abandoned one, and the fastest path is usually back to their own family.
Any vet practice or animal control officer will scan a found animal for free, no appointment needed. Most lost pets are reunited this way within a day. There are also 24/7 microchip scanners located outside of Virginia Beach SPCA and Chesapeake Humane Society.
Your local animal shelter or animal control agency is the first place most owners check when searching for a lost pet. If you find a stray animal, report it to the shelter serving the area where the pet was found, have it scanned for a microchip, and file a found-pet report. Taking these simple steps gives the pet the best chance of being reunited with its family.
Share the pet on neighborhood groups, Nextdoor, PawBoost, and local lost-and-found pet Facebook pages. The main page for our area is called Lost & Found Pets Hampton Roads. Include a clear photo, the general location where the pet was found, and the date found. For the pet's safety, hold back one identifying detail so you can verify ownership with anyone claiming the animal.
If you are able to safely care for the animal while searching for its owner, that is often the least stressful option for the pet. Be sure to notify your local animal shelter or animal control agency that you have the animal, so they can connect you with any owner who reports their pet missing. This helps increase the chances of a quick reunion while keeping the pet out of the shelter environment.
Injured animal, or an animal in danger? Call Norfolk Animal Care Center or an emergency vet now rather than emailing us — we check email as volunteers, between jobs, and cannot respond to an emergency.
This is a hard place to be, and asking for help is the responsible thing to do — not something to be ashamed of.
Many pet owners reach out to surrender a dog because of a challenge that feels overwhelming in the moment: financial hardship, veterinary expenses, housing restrictions, behavioral concerns, military deployments, medical emergencies, or other life changes. Before making the difficult decision to give up your pet, we encourage you to tell us what is happening. There may be resources available that can help you keep your beloved companion, including pet pantries that provide free food and supplies, low-cost veterinary programs, training and behavior support, crisis boarding, temporary foster care, military pet assistance programs, and other community resources. When a pet can safely remain with the family they know and love, that is often the best outcome for both the pet and the people who care about them.
You know your pet better than anyone else. Before surrendering your animal to a rescue, consider rehoming through services such as Adopt-a-Pet's Rehome program or Home To Home. These platforms allow you to connect directly with potential adopters and help your pet transition to a new home without entering a shelter. For your pet's safety, always charge a reasonable adoption fee, meet adopters in person, obtain a veterinary reference, and conduct a home check whenever possible. Ask about their experience with pets, current animals, housing situation, and plans for veterinary care. Never give an animal away for free online, and do not place your pet with anyone who is unwilling to provide references or answer basic questions about their home and lifestyle.
If your pet is older or has medical or behavioral challenges, contact your veterinarian before pursuing surrender. Your vet may be aware of local resources that are often the best fit for these situations, including breed-specific rescues, hospice and sanctuary programs, behavior specialists, low-cost treatment options, and specialized foster networks. These organizations can sometimes provide support and placement opportunities that may not be available through a general rescue.
Your local municipal animal shelter serves as the community safety net for pets that need immediate placement. If surrendering your pet becomes necessary, contact the shelter in advance to learn about their owner-surrender process, appointment requirements, waiting list, available services, and any applicable fees. Calling ahead can help you understand your options and ensure a smoother transition for your pet.
If your pet is a purebred or a breed mix with recognizable characteristics, consider contacting breed-specific rescues. These organizations specialize in particular breeds and often have experienced foster homes, adopters, and resources tailored to the unique needs of those dogs. Breed-specific rescues may be especially helpful for senior pets, dogs with medical or behavioral challenges, or breeds that require specialized care, training, or placement considerations. Many can be found through a simple online search or by asking your veterinarian for recommendations.
Different situation entirely: your animal comes back to us, at any point, for any reason, for the rest of their life. That is in your adoption contract and we mean it. Please contact us before doing anything else — there is genuinely no judgement in it.
We turn animals away because we run out of foster homes, not because we run out of willingness. One more foster home is one more animal we can say yes to.