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Founded in 2016, NOVA Pets Alive! is a foster-based rescue dedicated to pulling vulnerable animals from shelters facing overcrowding and euthanasia across Virginia. While they have historically supported cats and kittens through foster care, veterinary preparation, and adoption placements, their cat operations are currently suspended. They serve communities within a three-hour radius of Northern Virginia, including DC, Maryland, Virginia, and parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Adoption fees cover vetting, spay/neuter, microchipping, age-appropriate vaccines, FIV/FeLV SNAP testing (for cats over 6 months), transport, food, and daily care.
Adopters must be located within 3 hours of Northern Virginia (DC, MD, VA, and parts of WV/PA). Applicants complete an adoption application and questionnaire; traditional home checks and personal references are not required in order to remove barriers to adoption.
Adopters submit an online application and questionnaire, followed by adoptions team review. If approved, a FaceTime/Zoom virtual meet-and-greet is scheduled with the foster. Upon mutual agreement, the adoption is processed with pick-up arranged, or a 2-day trial period is coordinated (kittens under 6 months are not eligible for trial periods). In-person events offer same-day adoptions based on best fit rather than first-come, first-served.
All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and brought up to date with age-appropriate vaccines. If over 6 months of age, they are SNAP tested for FIV and FeLV.
Adoptions are limited to areas within a 3-hour drive of Northern Virginia, specifically covering Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Yes, NOVA Pets Alive! encourages adopting cat and kitten littermates together.
No, NOVA Pets Alive! is entirely foster-based and does not operate a physical shelter. Animals stay in volunteer foster homes until adoption.
The organization is a 100% foster-based rescue. Adoption returns are only accepted if an open foster home is available. If placement is not immediately available, the organization will assist with rehoming or offer local resources.
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