Pet Parent 101: All Your Fur Baby Needs In RVA
Powered by River City Veterinary Hospital
Whether you’re already the proud parent of a pet or you’re looking to bring a new animal pal into your life, this guide covers everything you’ll need to know, from boarding to groomers to pet supply stores and beyond.
by Alicia Valenski
Image Source: @racc_shelter
Animal Shelters & Rescues
Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC)
RACC is the only open admission animal shelter in the city servicing over 3,000 animals per year that need immediate care. This agency has been saving animals’ lives since 1902.
They receive animals from individuals who are no longer able to care for their pets, as well as animals that are lost or abandoned. They’re always looking for people who are willing to provide permanent, loving homes for these animals.
All animals that are available for adoption have passed an evaluation based on their known history, health, and temperament.
And animals remain available at their shelter as long as their good health and behavior continue — there is no time limit for how long an animal can stay on their adoption floors.
Location: 1600 Chamberlayne Ave
Hours: Closed to the public due to COVID-19; details here
Founded in 1979, RAL provides temporary housing, medical treatment, sterilization, and quality care to over 1,700 companion animals each year until they are adopted into permanent and loving homes.
They’re the area’s oldest non-profit “no-kill” organization committed to reducing the homeless pet population in the Richmond area.
Additionally, the Loving Spay + Neuter Clinic at Richmond Animal League offers low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs to private owners, rescue organizations, and municipal shelters with no geographical restrictions. The clinic is also able to offer additional services such as vaccinations, heartworm testing, and flea/tick prevention to pet owners the day of surgery.
Location: 801 Branchway Rd
Hours: Closed to the public for walk-in appointments due to COVID-19; details here
The Richmond SPCA is a nonprofit, no-kill humane society that saves the lives of thousands of homeless dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies each year.
They provide extensive veterinary medical treatment and behavioral rehabilitation to the vast majority of the dogs and cats in their shelter, and they adopt about 4,000 homeless pets into loving, lasting homes each year.
They also operate the community’s first and only full-service, low-cost veterinary hospital for the pets of people of modest means. This includes delivering free sterilization surgeries and rabies vaccinations to community cats brought to their veterinary hospital by concerned community members.
Location: 2519 Hermitage Rd
Hours: Visits by appointment only due to COVID-19; details here
Image Source: @rivercityvethospital
Veterinarian/Animal Hospital
River City Veterinary Hospital
River City Veterinary Hospital is led by a husband and wife team of veterinary doctors, Dr. Anthony O'Sullivan and Dr. Heather O'Sullivan, and has been proudly serving the Richmond area since 2014.
Voted as the Best Animal Hospital in RVA by Style Weekly readers every year since 2016, RCVH provides Richmonders’ furry loved ones a personalized, caring, and proactive healthcare experience
They provide a full range of veterinary services for dogs, cats, small mammals, and even backyard chickens — including diagnostics, surgery, immunizations, dental services, senior health care, and more.
Location: 5305 West Broad St
Hours: Currently by appointment only due to COVID-19; contact here
Image Source: @fetchacure
Pet Supply Stores
RedRidge Pet Market is a local, family-owned, full-line pet supply store. You can visit them to find treats, chews, toys, training aids, beds, bowls, cages, natural supplements, and more.
They specialize in all-natural food for dogs and cats, including dry, canned, dehydrated, and raw/frozen.
You can shop in-person or online (and when shopping online, they do offer home delivery or curbside pick-up options).
Location: 2276 John Rolfe Pkwy
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 am - 7 pm; Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
Obviously catered more toward dogs than anything, Dog Krazy is a Virginia-owned and operated pet supply store with locations in Carytown and in Short Pump (as well as in Fredericksburg, Lee’s Hill, Stafford, and Leesburg).
They offer healthy dog food, treats, toys, bedding, and accessories both in person at their shops as well as online, with free local delivery on orders of $35 or more.
They also provide stress-free dog grooming services, from bathing to nail color — and their Carytown location even has a self-service wash station for $10/wash including organic shampoo and conditioner, flea treatment, and a cold air dryer.
Location: Carytown, 3310 W Cary St // Short Pump, 3520 Pump Rd
Hours: Carytown, Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 7 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm // Short Pump, Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 7 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
Fin and Feather Pet Center of Ashland
Right on the train tracks in Ashland, you can find this locally owned and operated pet shop that proudly boasts that they offer “everything for every pet!”
As the name implies, that includes animal pals like fish, birds, rodents, lizards, snakes, and more, in addition to dogs and cats.
Location: 307 South Center St
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 am - 5 pm; Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm
Image Source: @coolcaninespcs
Pet (Okay, Mostly Dog) Bakeries
Skip the processed dog treats from big-box stores and opt for a locally made, all natural option instead with Cool Canines PCS, a local black-owned business that serves the community by providing nurturing, first-class, pet care and baking delectable dog treats.
These homemade treats are made with limited, recognizable ingredients in flavors that pups love — and without any by-product meat meals, preservatives, artificial flavors, chemicals, or colors.
You can order online here!
Clementine's has been baking handmade limited ingredient gourmet dog treats for the Richmond community for nearly 10 years!
That includes custom canine cakes and cupcakes, as well as all-natural, handmade, limited-ingredient dog treats.
Clementine’s is also a predominantly mobile dog bakery — meaning that you order, then they bake and delivery right to your door (within a 25-minute radius of Richmond). You can also find their products at the South of the James Farmers’ Market, Holiday Barn Pet Resorts, Dogtopia, and Dog Services.
You can order online here!
Image Source: @holidaybarnpetresorts
Pet Boarding
Holiday Barn offers the whole kitten caboodle (pun intended) at their locations in Glen Allen and Midlothian, including cat boarding, dog boarding, dog daycare, dog training, dog grooming, and a “dog staycation” option. For real.
Location: Glen Allen, 3800 Mountain Rd // Midlothian, 614 Johnston Willis Dr
Contact: Glen Allen, (804) 719-8622 // Midlothian, (804) 506-5895
Don’t let the fact that “dog” is in their name fool you; Dog’s Day Inn offers cat boarding services in addition to dog boarding, daycare, and grooming. No breed restrictions!
Their kennels are equipped with large indoor/outdoor runs that are heated and/or cooled, depending on the time of year. They even leave a radio on 24 hours to comfort pets. Each kennel has an orthopedic kennel deck at all times, and at night they have tuck-ins with blankets and cookies for everyone at no additional charge. Each and every pet will get at least two play times a day, either alone or with “friends” or family.
Location: 213 Granite Spring Rd
Hours: Boarding is offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while daycare and grooming are both available Monday through Saturday.
This Glen Allen pet resort takes pet care to the next level with their facilities for “guest lodging,” including a “Luxury Villa” option or a “Suite” option for your pet. And that means any pet — dogs, cats, and all exotic animals are welcome at this massive space, staffed 24/7 with experienced staff members.
Dude Ranch also offers pet grooming and “spa” services, day care, pet training, and regular events for pet families.
Location: 11015 Dude Ranch Rd, Glen Allen
Hours: Staffed for guests 24/7; Front Desk open Monday - Saturday
Image Source: @racc_shelter
Pet Grooming
This locally owned pet grooming and specialty retail shop is located in Carytown, where in addition to grooming, they carry healthy pet foods, treats, and supplements along with innovative and eco-friendly toys, grooming products, and pet wear.
For pets that get haircuts, a grooming at Dogma includes a thorough bathing, blow drying and hand drying, individual haircut and styling by your pet’s personal groomer, nails clipped, and ears cleaned. If you like a little extra flair, bows or bandanna are included!
Pets that just need bathing (either regularly or between groomings) get the same thorough bathing and brushing, blow drying and hand drying, nails clipped, and ears cleaned, as well as a bow or bandanna.
Location: 3501 W Cary St
Hours: Monday, 9 am - 6 pm; Tuesday - Friday, 7:30 am - 6 pm; Saturday, 9 am - 4 pm; Sunday, 12 - 4 pm
Paws & Claws is an all-breed dog grooming and cat grooming service. They offer dog and cat bathing, nail trims, anal gland expression, ear plucking, and hand stripping. To pamper your pet, they also include bows, cologne, and even nail polish, in addition to offering collars, leashes, and bedding.
They’re equipped to provide special care for senior pets, and they specifically mention that they love large dogs. Even “growlers and scratchers” are welcome here!
Location: 10426 Ridgefield Pkwy
Contact: (804) 740-0013
Image Credit: @bygollymisterollie
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Thank you to River City Veterinary Hospital for powering this City Guide!