Fancy Cats & Dogs Rescue Team

The adoption process was very easy. We have had Hobbes for 3 years now and he is a great addition to our home. He bonded with our son instantly and follows him around all the time.

I'm really glad that there are people out there looking after animals that are in need for a new home like Fancy Cats & Dogs Rescue Team. We got our lovely cat, Rumi, here and the whole process was really straight forward, and the staff were super helpful in making sure we knew everything we would need to know to take care of Rumi the best we can.

Fancy Cats and Dogs Rescue does such a great job! I had an extremely positive experience with adopting our new family member. Mary, the lead coordinator at the Chantilly location, went above and beyond to make sure we all were a good match and she was always available for questions and follow up. We are so happy to have had this opportunity.

We recently adopted a six year old cat from Fancy Cats. Their description of him was extremely accurate and after following their instructions on introducing him to our household he is doing great. We were very happy with the ease of the process which was quick, but thorough; it included a check with our usual vet to ensure we would take good care of him. We strongly recommend Fancy Cats and encourage would-be adopters to consider cats who are a little older. They make great pets and deserve a home, too.

Fancy Cats fosters the sweetest cats who are delighted to have a loving home. I have friends who foster 20+ cats annually and I felt that the fostering process is a great way for rescues to learn how to live in a home and with other animals. That is certainly the case with our 2 cats who were a bonded pair about one year old. They are just lovely sweeties and we are so happy to have them. Fancy Cats was good to work with. They were prompt as well as thorough - they even called our vet for a reference. I heartily recommend working with Fancy Cats.

I saw Connie one day in December 2023 at PetSmart and a telepathic message must have passed between us, because the next morning, around 5:30 am, I filled in the application for the lovely, brown domestic shorthair tabby.
Mary Fox, from Fancy Cats & Dogs Rescue Team, was wonderful. She got in touch with me that same afternoon and before you know it, my husband and I were filling in the paperwork and adopting Connie.
That 2 year-old (we think she is 2 years old) is a bundle of energy and joy. She divides her time between my husband and I. She has us laughing when she chases one of her toys and has the zoomies.
Bless the little four-legged feline, she has filled a hole in our life withe her bright enquiring eyes and curiosity. Of course she has to help me quilt, sitting on the part that I need to sew and meowing at me because I am not giving her all the attention she wants.
And please, it's been 3 hours since her last meal and she would like more food.
I cannot say enough about how wonderful it has been to have Connie in our life and would like to thank Fancy Cats for making it possible.

We recently adopted a wonderful cat from Fancy Cats by way of Mt. Purrnon Cat Cafe. The process was seamless and very quick. I highly recommend working with Fancy Cats if you are planning to add to your family!

From the volunteers to Cathy - top notch organization that I cannot say enough good things about. I saw Star (now Mimosa) on PetFinder and just had to meet her; the visit was expertly coordinated by Cathy (noting that she was incredibly quick to respond to e-mail) and the volunteers reviewed my application to ensure I was a fit pet parent. The second Cathy opened Star's cage, I was greeted with such a sweet, friendly feline who just flopped on her side, begging for pets. She adjusted quite well to her new home and was well taken care of along with the other animals under her care. Known personality traits were disclosed as to align with potential adopters. What great and rewarding work that they do.

I can't say enough good things about Fancy Cats. Thanks to them we now have darling Isidor (Izzy) in our lives and in our hearts. She is an absolutely lovely girl, small and dainty with perfect manners. She loves her churu treats, head skritches and hanging out. Fancy Cats volunteers took good care of our girl who had been living outside for a year or so. When we first saw her coat was shiny, her eyes, bright, and she was ready to play. When we had her vetted after her adoption, she was in excellent health.

We adopted Isidor to help fill the hole in our hearts caused by the loss of our two geriatric cats. When she walked over to greet us at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe, we knew she was the one. She has blessed our lives with her joyous presence and, in so doing, helped us heal

Thank you Fancy Cats for rescuing Isidor and introducing her into our lives. We will always be grateful!

Fancy Cats was Amazing helping us find our new family member. We renamed Zeus, his new name is Socks. He is such Sweet Good Looking Fury Boy. First thing in the morning he likes to be fed, he has a Big Appetite. After breakfast, he loves to sit in the window and watch everything going on, cars passing by, people walking dogs and the runners passing by. His favorite pastime is watching Cat TV on Youtube, he loves seeing the birds and squirrels up close and lifts up with his paws trying to touch them. He took over my Tommy Was Blanket and loves to nap in it. He really enjoys the Temptations Treats, we had to hide them from him. At night he enjoys looking out at the deck lights. Thank you Fancy Cats for being so much joy to our family with Socks.

We adopted a cat back in April and we renamed him Timon. The adoption process was smooth. We were able to take him home within 2 hours. It’s been 2 months and Timon is doing wonderful! FCDRT has sent me emails a few times to check on him. They really do care about the animals. I know where to reach them when I need help. If you’re looking to adopt any cats/dogs, I would definitely recommend you check them out!

I adopted Albert from Fancy Cats. He was rescued fro a shelter where he spent 9 months in a cage . Albert has had a pretty hard life and I often look at him wondering how many lives has he had. He is a peaceful warrior . He is a true Alley cat and has the scars to prove it . He is extremely calm and sweet with a scratchy barely audible meow
Fancy cats brought him from the shelter . He had teeth pulled and was neutered. They estimate he is between 8 and 10 years old.
Albert immediately stole my heart and I couldn’t let him spend 1 more day without a forever home
I brought him home and within days he and my other cat were getting along and now actually lay sleeping next to each other . I can’t imagine my life without Albert. He is my best friend and family member. He is now in his forever home and wherever I go he goes with me

We have adopted twice through the Fancy Cats & Dogs Rescue Team and I cannot speak highly enough of the excellence and dedication of their team. Their assessments of the personalities and characteristics of their cats were spot on and they worked with us closely to answer all questions to ensure the best match. We recently adopted a bonded pair of kittens and they’ve been a delight. But most significantly, I believe, to anybody considering adopting from Fancy Cats, is the great deal of effort put forth by their entire team in working with us in an honest and forthright way to make the best match for us. It was clear to us that the Fancy Cats team placed a high priority on the needs of the cats and owners together, to make sure the adoptions are right for all involved. At no time did anyone try to push us in a particular direction, but all the while worked with us to make sure that the young cats we brought home were the best choice for us and the cats themselves. We couldn’t be more pleased with the Fancy Cats team and would recommend them to anyone considering a pet adoption.

Wonderful experience. Adopted Maggie, age 16, now enjoying a new retirement and life of leisure as the only cat in her new home. The Fancy Cats team works tirelessly around the clock to extend love and find forever homes for the pets across our region. Maggie is exactly how they presented her to be. Their highly skilled and experienced network of volunteers offer care, advice, and resources to ensure each personalized adoption is a successful one. They never turn their backs on a challenge case. We are lucky to have them serving our area.

I recently lost my very precious cat. Jasper, to cancer at age 10. I also lost his companion, Sadie, months before that. It was a very difficult time. I also moved to a new state. When I was ready, I searched and found the perfect cat for my stage of life. Cisco was a young adult who was labelled "not good with other cats." Since I only wanted one cat, he was perfect. After I filled out the application I was promptly contacted by the foster parents and had a long video call about him. Cisco is a high anxiety cat and very very lovable. He was living in a bedroom because of the anxiety. That made him more perfect for me. The foster parents were very honest about everything about him. . They also are a constant support and have been invaluable. This is my first experience with a rescue. I have taken in strays, family member's cats , and shelter cats but never a rescue. The amount of care given to these Fancy Cats is astonishing as is the amount of thought given in placing them. I had a wonderful experience.

This is a wonderful organization that is making such an indescribable difference in the mutual rescue that takes place when people and other smaller, furry people come together to share their lives. We were so lucky to be first a volunteer as a foster family for a little Manx named Tigger, and then very soon we became her forever home. She is our "little ball of rainbows" all the time, filling our lives with warmth and love. Thank you Fancy Cats, for all that you do!

This is a great group of dedicated rescuers and fosterers. They work very hard and really care about their animals. When I was trying to get a stray cat rescued from my hi-rise's large parking lot in the middle of winter, none of the rescuers I contacted ever responded EXCEPT for Fancy Cats - and Cindy was there asap with a humane trap, asked me questions about the kitty, set up the trap, and left me with food and instructions on how to set, watch and rebait the trap and answered all my emails afterwards. THAT is great work!!!

My husband and I adopted Raccoon (aka 'Rocky') after one of our rescue cats passed away. We wanted a senior kitty and were drawn to Fancy Cats given they had a number of senior cats available. Catherine was very responsive and helpful in finding a good match for us and very patient with all our questions. The adoption process was straightforward and also thorough, which gave me confidence they care not just about getting their cats adopted but ensuring the cats go to good homes. We love Rocky and will be back to adopt again from Fancy Cats! A huge thank you to Catherine and the staff for all they do for homeless kitties.

I fostered with Fancy Cats before ultimately adopting one of my fosters as a permanent addition to my family. Fancy Cats does an excellent job taking care of the cats in its charge and is tireless about finding them fosters for cage-breaks and permanent homes. Fancy Cats makes sure that every animal receives all of the medical attention it may need and screens potential adopters to make sure they understand what is required to give the cat a good home. They're 100% oriented towards the health and well-being of the cats! And they get by on a shoestring budget, with lots of volunteer help. I'm so glad I was able to foster with Fancy Cats and help support their mission--and I can't imagine life without my kitty!

We had the best adoption experience with Fancy Cats and Dogs Rescue Team that we have ever had with another rescue group or shelter. Our new addition, a 4-month-old kitten named Larry, has integrated into our household better than we ever dreamed. We attribute that to the fantastic work of his foster mom, who took in his whole litter at two weeks of age and socialized all the kittens and their shy mama so well that every one got a wonderful home as soon as they were old enough to leave the nest. Larry has such a sweet, loving and playful personality, and he uses his intuition to interact with each of our other pets in a manner they prefer. He befriended our 9-year-old cat, who now plays like a kitten again thanks to him! He also has become one of the pack with our three dogs, often napping and wrestling with them. We all adore him and are so thankful to FCDRT for enabling us to bring Larry into our family. They made the adoption process extremely smooth and easy, and have kept in touch to check on how things are going since the adoption. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in bringing a cat or dog into your life!

In February 2020 I lost my previous rescue to lung cancer. I had her for 10 years so it was very hurtful. After a few months I opened my heart to adopting another cat that needed a forever home. Being 10 years older myself since my last adoption, I looked for an older cat that might be overlooked. I found Tyson on the Fancy Cats adoption sight. He was 10 years old and it has been a perfect match. We love having him in our home and he seems happy to be here. A rescued cat makes a very loving pet and I would encourage anyone to consider giving one a good home. I am grateful to rescues like Fancy Cats for giving a second chance to so many homeless cats, looking for someone to love them.

We adopted our sweet dog Layla from Fancy Cats and Dogs. They were absolutely wonderful to work with! Layla had a rough start to her life and the team at FCDRT rescued her, treated her health problems, found her a wonderful foster and matched us up with our forever fur baby! If I could give more than 5 stars I would! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fancy Cats is awesome! They were very helpful in helping me choose the cat that was right for me, and has followed up to make sure me and my new friend are doing well! Fantastic group!

My daughter adopted a dog from this place..
She adopted a dog (despite my approval) but worked something out with her Dad who doesn't live in the home. Here's the problems..

They require you to be 21, my daughter is 18
the dog is aggressive and its noted in her paperwork that she's not ok around small animals- we have cats in house
Dad situation doesn't work out, dog comes here. She doesn't fit in. My daughter tries to get dog to not bite at people and cats, it doesn't work.
Their contract (I work with rescue organizations so this is familiar to me) states bring animal back to us if you can't keep it
Daughter contacts organization, and that's when we get passed off to the rudest employee they have... We'll call her M and she's related to Dogtopia in Falls Church VA

M accuses my daughter of mistreating the animal (aggression)
M only texts rather than calling
I left a message for M, two days go by and I get no response, I asked her in the voicemail what needed to be done with the medical records so that the dog can come back to the group
I call her and tell her if she doesn't call me back, we have no choice but to take the dog to the county shelter as it's been two days and we have cats in the house..

She texts me (I'm 40! I don't need a text- I called you and you should have respectfully called me back)
Instead, at almost 10pm, I get a text threatening me with a lawyer and other nonsense, AND doesn't bother to answer my question about what medical updates needed to be done (I called and left a message for her asking what medical updates needed to be done and this is the message folks that she ignored) and instead continued to text back and forth threatening me.

great that they save animals however after dealing with M and the other organizations that I personally volunteer for I'd say run, far, and stay away. There's PLENTY of animal rescue orgs locally that would love for you to adopt their babies. THIS is not the place!

My daughter worked with the group and told me that M was supposed to be taking care of an elder foster dog, the dog had a foot injury. M did not take care of the dog (take it home from the boarding facility that they work through) so the foot became infected and eventually, the dog was put down.

Adopting animals from here and supporting them helps M continue to abuse and neglect animals as she seems fit. Find another group.

We adopted our sweet boy Finn (previously Tari) from Fancy Cats and Dogs. He was previously in a kill shelter in Georgia but they brought him to Virginia and we are so glad they did. They made the adoption process seamless. He is the perfect addition to our home and we love him so much!

Lanie (we've changed her name to Lexi since she's from Lexington) has been doing great with us. At first she was a little scared of the change but she quickly got comfortable and has adapted well to our home. She lives for belly rubs and treats :-) She has been completely potty trained for a couple weeks now and has learned to sit, stay, come, fetch, drop it, and leave it. She also knows 'crate' and 'off.' We are working on being quiet when being around strangers. She is a good runner and also learning how to run with me. We look forward to taking her on more hikes and go swimming! She makes us laugh everyday with her silliness and has brought much joy and love to our family.

Thank you to Fancy Cats and Dogs for bringing us Lexi! The adoption process was easy.

I rescued my sweet Maisy girl from Fancy cats and she has been the best companion! She is so sweet, snuggly, and loves being around her people. The adoption process was so easy and Claire in particular from Fancy Cats was so helpful! I 100% recommend Fancy Cats Rescue :)

When I began looking for cats, I thought only Maine Coon crosses would do, since the 2 big boys who last owned my heart were siblings described that way by another local rescue organization back in 2000. So I submitted many applications, and usually, I'd discover the cats I'd seen on line were not available for some reason - one woman was convinced that I lived in a dangerous part of town & denied my application without telling me! One Friday, I was planning to drive over 100 miles to attend an adoption event in the general area, and got an email from Julie at Fancy Cats asking me to come see Reece and Rudder the next day in Falls Church with a photo of Rudder - a black bob-tailed male and his bonded, no-relation friend, Reece - soft yellow. Both were big boys - over 13 lbs. I changed my plans, cancelled the first appointment, and went to see them. Short story is they came home with me. Rudder never took his eyes off me the whole way home (friend was driving), and follows me most of his waking hours when I'm home, usually stays in the room with me while I'm working and meets me at the door when I return from a walk or chores outside. (This is written when we were all staying home to avoid the Corona virus.) Reece is more self-contained and aloof, but he sleeps next to me. The 2 of them play hard and rough, thundering up and down the stairs and making fur fly - they are not gentle creatures. They may not have ever have had their very own hooman before, but both of them come to me and head-butt my legs several times each day for ear scratches & head rubs. I expect them to mellow over time and learn more ways to show affection - I've had cats all my life and seen them change behaviors over time. Meanwhile, I feel their trust growing, and know they are beginning to feel at home - forever. I give Fancy Cats 5 stars for commitment to finding homes for cats! We're good here!

Fancy Cats volunteers helped my husband and me find the perfect pair of kitties for our home. They were quick to respond to our questions, very accommodating with our request to spend time with the cats, and provided us with helpful information for our first few days and weeks with the cats to ensure their successful transition to a new home. We even got follow up messages from Fancy Cats to see how we were all doing together. Through this whole process everyone we worked with was professional, warm, and showed a passion for helping animals find their forever homes.

Having had bad experiences trialing adoptable dogs in the past, we were a little hesitant in approaching Fancy Cats and Fancy Dogs for a dog that we had our eyes on, Bear. Luckily, Fancy Cats was hosting an adoption event nearby where Bear would be. We attended and immediately fell in love with the little pup - he was submissive (important, as we have a grouchy old Dachshund at home who's too lazy to defer to anyone else) and brave (especially considering the chaos of a Pet Smart adoption event) and just too, too cute. We had applied for him already, so when we approached the adoption coordinator she said if we wanted him, we could have him - our application had been approved! We took him home that day, and two months later I couldn't be happier. Bear is the sweetest little dog and gets along wonderfully with our old girl - he also plays spectacularly with other dogs, which is wonderful because we have a dog park attached to our apartment building! I couldn't be happier with how the situation turned out. Thanks to all the folks at Fancy Cats and Fancy Dogs for making this addition to our happy little family possible!

After losing both Sammie and Lorena to cancer, I knew it wouldn't be long before I adopted again. The wonderful volunteers at Fancy Cats helped me find Burt and Beau. These 2 brothers are the sweetest and most affectionate kitties! Thank you Fancy Cats for all the good works you do!

My husband and I adopted our two sweet kittens from Fancy Cats Rescue and had a wonderful experience! The on-site volunteers were so knowledgeable and answered all our questions about dietary needs, how to introduce kittens to a new home, and everything else under the sun. They really took the time to be sure we were prepared, and even followed up with us a few weeks in to see how the kittens were settling and if we had any questions. 10/10 experience

My wife and I adopted an adorable 2 year old cat named Tigress! She is very sweet and affectionate! The staff was very kind and helpful... They answered all our questions, and made sure Tigress was going to be well taken care of. We are so happy we adopted, and Fancy Cats is a great team!

Our family adopted Olive about 6 weeks after saying goodbye to our 16 year old kitty. Olive is affectionate, spunky and loves to eat! She is a wonderful addition to our family thanks to Fancy Cats, who took her into their care after she was found as a stray in the Shenandoah Valley. We met Olive at an adoption fair. The volunteers at Fancy Cats were helpful to us and are interested and committed to the welfare of the cats and the adoptive families. We would highly recommend Fancy Cats to others.

We adopted two kittens from Fancy Cats in January 2019. Fancy Cats takes their responsibility for these animals very seriously, and ensures that each match made between pet and adopting family is a good one before sending anyone home. The adoptions fees are very reasonable given the amount of time/materials needed to maintain an operation supporting as many adoptable pets as Fancy Cats has on its lists. A very solid choice when looking for a new fuzzy friend!

After having to put our 19 year old cat to sleep our daughters decided we needed another one and noticed a very nice cat available for adoption at our local PetValue. The grandkids approved and it was a matter of getting us over there to look at Thor. Needless to say, we approved of their selection. The adoption process was very detailed but necessary and we answered all of their questions and follow up questions. Lois, the volunteer, was very nice and genuinely concerned that she find the right homes for the cats. After receiving an email from her, we adopted Thor and brought him home that same day. Thor, who now is known as McDuff, has been a great cat for us. We've had so many cats with life threatening illnesses that it is a new experience for us to have such a healthy one. Even the vet said we deserved a cat without issues! He's a snuggler and likes our laps, couch and the bed. Talks quite a bit, especially when he wants to eat. Very shy around others but the grandkids are patient with him and he's slowly coming around. Great organization! Lois McCormick was and continues to be a wonderful source of information and support.

My family recently had the pleasure of adopting a sweet cat from Fancy Cats Rescue Team. We really love our newest addition to our family! He is so adorable, and the Fancy Cat team was so wonderful to work with. They were professional, caring and very personable. This made for a very pleasant adoption process. We will be sure to adopt from them again in the future.

The Lalos Family

We've adopted from Fancy Cats 5 times. Most recently we adopted two sibling kittens in September 2018. Every experience with Fancy Cats has been exceptional. The volunteers are wonderful and clearly love the cats in their care. We were greeted with stories about each cat that we considered adopting the day that we came. All of the cats were well cared for, healthy and clearly loved before finding their forever home. We were provided all of their medical records, which were very thorough and complete, as well as a number of toys that the kittens were attached to. Fancy Cats was excellent about following up to make sure that we took our new loved ones to the vet (within 7 days of adoption) for a wellness check-up and to receive any necessary vaccines. They also made sure that we registered our new kittens' microchips so that they could find their way back home if found out of the house. Our newest family members are a wonderful addition and join another former Fancy Cat alumni, Tanner. Having Rocky and Gil has really lifted our spirits since the loss of our 12 year old cat Cujo (another Fancy Cat alumni) back in July. Tanner adjusted, after some trepidation in the beginning, and is playing with them and clearly enjoying the company! :) We are so grateful to Fancy Cats for bringing such joy into our lives, 5 times now!! :) Thank you!!

We have adopted two kittens from FancyCats at two different times and they have been a delight. They truly care about their animals and make sure they go to the best homes. I really admire the work that they do, and if I had more time, I would try to volunteer with them myself. Unfortunately that can't be for the time being, but I do try to donate to their cause regularly! Thank you FancyCats (and Dogs) for all that you do for animals!

Fancy cats is wonderful organization that takes the time to match the cat to owner lifestyles and needs. They really work to make sure that it is win/win for the cat and adopter.
They take great care of the cats and can tell you all about them.
There is the personal touch following up to make sure all is going well.
I would recommend adopting a cat from this organization it was a great experience. Having a blast with my kitty!

We rescued two cats from Fancy Cats and the process could not have been easier. They care so deeply about the cats health and wellness and finding them a good home. We could not have found two better cats and are deeply thankful to Fancy Cats for getting them into our lives. Would not hesitate to tell anybody to go to them.

Fancy Cats listened to me when I told them what type of a cat I was looking for (in terms of personality). They brought a number of kitties to PetSmart that matched my "profile". That was a fun evening! I picked the perfect cat for my home and lifestyle out of that bunch. If you are looking for a companion cat, Fancy Cats is the way to go.

Fancy Cats' foster parents raised two wonderful kittens for us, and make the process easy to adopt them. Dillon and Redford are sweet, affectionate and busy - and a great addition to our home. We used to foster raise kittens ourselves, and worked with other cat adoption groups, but Fancy Cats is the best! We just cannot thank them enough!

I adopted my sweet Sadie on November. I am so happy that there are so many caring volunteers to help these animals. This is a great organization and I so happy that so many animals find their forever home through this organization.

I adopted my two sweethearts back in October, and they couldn't have been more perfect for me. The team at FCRT went above and beyond to help me find the right cats for me, and they really nailed it. You can tell that each individual volunteer cares so much about what they do, and you can tell how much they love all of the animals in their care. I'm inspired to help volunteer with the organization as much as I can.

I have adopted both of my cats from Fancy Cats and couldn't be happier. They made sure I found good fits for my home and they check in to see how they're doing from time to time.

A few months ago we found a female cat outside , after putting out fliers was unable to find the owner. With us already having 4 cats of our own we were unable to keep her. I contacted multiple rescue groups in the area asking for help with no one willing to help. Fancy Cat agreed to take her, find her a foster and hopefully a great new home. I’m so so thankful to Fancy Cats.

Fancy Cat Rescue Team is excellent to work with. Recently, I have helped rescue two cats over the last few months and Fancy Cats helped with both cats by finding a foster family to take them in. Over the years, they have always been there for me. Thank you very much!

I adopted two cats from Fancy Cats Rescue Team in 2001 through an adoption fair and had my two fur babies as an important and special part of my life for over 15 years. When we decided it was time to adopt again, our vet recommended Fancy Cats. The adoption process was much more extensive this time around and I truly appreciate their due diligence. Their questions covered many unexpected circumstances that could occur to ensure it was the right match for our family dynamic and the cats we selected. They also called our vet for a reference! Their website is easy to use to complete the initial application and view profiles of the cats available. The information shared about the two we ultimately adopted was very very accurate!

We met our two fur babies and immediately knew they were perfect for our family. The adoption paperwork and Fancy Cats' expectations are very clear, making the cats' well-being their first priority. We worked with Bonnie for our adoption and she truly showed care for the two cats we adopted as well as our family. Her husband even helped us name one of our boys! I highly recommend Fancy Cats for anyone who is looking to rescue and participate in an adoption process that is thorough and makes it their first priority to pair the right cat(s) with the right family.

We found Fancy Cats while we were shopping at a local PetSmart. Since we already had 2 other cats at home, we were not sure if we could adopt another as it was important for all of our cats to get a long well. Fancy Cats enabled us to participate in their foster to adopt program. As result, we were able to adopt with confidence. We have just adopted our 3rd cat from them! We really appreciate their mission.

We adopted our cat after months of searching. Everyone we dealt with was very friendly and helpful. The process was quick and painless and he has been an excellent addition to our family.

We adopted our beloved Bumble in January 2017. We saw her at a local Petsmart and then did some research on the Fancy Cats website. My email questions were quickly answered and we were put in touch with Bumble's foster mom. After several conversations, we decided that Bumble was a good choice for us and our lifestyle. On adoption day, I was given a packet of information, including all her vet records. We are first time cat owners, so Bumble's FIV diagnosis was a bit troublesome for me. However, the FCRT representative took lots of time to explain the issue to me. At her vet appointment later in the week, my vet pronounced Bumble a "lovely, well-cared for cat." Fancy Cats Rescue Team appears to be a group of dedicated, loving people - intent on finding forever homes for cats. We are happy to be Bumble's forever family!

When I wanted to adopt a cat it took me months to find the right one. I’m very picky, and it’s almost impossible to get an idea of what a cat is really like when you meet them at a shelter or adoption event.
They are in small cages that they don't like and surrounded by strange humans and cats that they don't know. This makes a lot of them grumpy, or disinterested in meeting people

Just as I was thinking it was hopeless, a big beautiful silver tabby caught my eye at a Fancy Cats Animal Rescue event.
His name is Mac, and when the Fancy Cats volunteer brought him out of the cage, he was all over me in seconds. He sat there, half in my lap, and purred and meowed. He had my heart right then!

The volunteer was very helpful and actually knew quite a bit about Mac because she fosters many of the cats herself! She had firsthand knowledge of what he would be like when I got him home, which is something that no other shelter or rescue, could tell me about their cats.

At first I thought that this one particular volunteer just went the extra mile. But when more and more of the volunteers told me about their experiences with Mac, I realized that these volunteers don’t just put food out and clean litter boxes. They truly care for the cats and get to know them.

I was still scared though. Mac is 7 years old and FIV+. I didn’t want a cat that was going to run up huge vet bills or leave me heartbroken after a short life with me at home.

Luckily, the volunteers at Fancy Cats were able to explain to me that Feline HIV is not as serious as human HIV. And that most indoor cats who are FIV+ live long and healthy lives. When I looked around and saw all the families adopting younger cats and kittens, I knew I couldn’t leave Mac there. Someone had to give this precious kitty a home.

When I finally decided I couldn’t live without him, I was met with a good surprise. Because Mac was an older kitty, Fancy Cats waved the adoption fee! Sure enough, when I had Mac checked on at the Vet after a few weeks at home, the Dr. told me that Mac was healthy and happy and should be my friend for many years.

Mac has changed my life. He’s my best friend and we cuddle so much that it makes my girlfriend jealous! I’m so happy that Fancy Cats was there so that Mac and I could find each other and so that they could put my mind at ease before taking him home.

THANK YOU FANCY CATS ANIMAL RESCUE!!!!!

I've been volunteering at one of their locations for about half a year now. I have volunteered for other organizations ranging from environmental, political, to another cat rescue (there I fostered kitties and eventually adopted one.) This has been my favorite group to help out! The organizers have a heck of a job keeping all the information up to date, making sure all shifts are covered, and communicating everything that everyone needs to be included on, but the goal of keeping the cats healthy, happy, and finding them the best fitting homes is always #1. A cat so much as sniffles and it's taken notice. I've only been at one location but if the rest are anything like this one, there's a lot of lucky cats in their care. :)

If I could give them zero stars, I would!

Everything was great w/ Fancy Cats until we had to surrender our furbaby. Our son is extremely allergic. We tried for over a year to get his allergy under control, but he wound up in the hospital several times and we were told by several doctors, "You HAVE to get rid of your cats." We were utterly devastated.

The woman who we contacted to start the process was very short and cold. I'd write a paragraph, explain how horrible we felt, and she'd write back a maximum of 10-15 words. That's it. When I asked her (quite nicely, I might add) why she was being so cold and short with us, she got rude and sarcastic. Her exact response: "Unfortunately , I work like 18 hours a day (fulltime and FCRT)and get like about 300 emails a day and have my own kids, husband and animals so I apologize". Definitely not a sincere apology at all.

From that point on she was rude with me and my husband. My husband called her at one point and she was rude to him from the get-go (which is bad, considering he gets along with EVERYONE). She actually called me and harassed/yelled at me at one point. This was a horrible situation for someone who already has anxiety and depression (me).

Because of how horrible she was, and how she basically gave us NO INFORMATION, other than "Come here at this time to surrender", we decided we would rather take our baby to the animal shelter. We have a great repertoire with them, and we knew our baby wouldn't get euthanized because they only do that with very aggressive and very ill animals (our Jules was neither). We called her in advance to ask to be released from our contract. After several emails and that harassing call I mentioned above, the woman said we could be released. She said we could take her to the shelter and she'd call them to let them know it was ok for them to keep her.

Fast forward to today (2 1/2 weeks after we surrendered our baby), and we find out she straight up LIED to us. The shelter informed us that Fancy Cats took possession of our baby, and now we have no idea where she is or what has become of her. We were worried they would stick her in one of those glass cages you see at PetSmart, and we knew she would NOT do well there. She's terrified of strangers! And I'm beyond heartbroken to think that may be where she is right now.

This woman made what was already a VERY difficult time for us into a complete nightmare. After dealing with them, my anxiety has spiked, and I had to go on medication. And to top things off, this woman was the executive director!!! So it's not like I could go above her head.

I do NOT recommend Fancy Cats. There are plenty of other cat adoption organizations in this area who don't treat heartbroken people like trash.

My first cat came from a no-kill shelter in 1993. Now I rescue older cats; the last 2 have come from Fancy Cats. I appreciate their mission and dedication! The Team goes the extra mile to ensure the adoptions are a good experience. I had a feral cat that my vet would not see and FCRT referred me to a vet that took care of her without hesitation. The fosters have such big hearts and compassion; the volunteers at adoption fairs are helpful and enthusiastic. Everyone associated with FCRT with whom I have dealt shows how much they care about what they do. I donate and also support the fundraisers to give these rescues a second chance. It's a great organization.

Great group that has saved thousands of cats over the years. They truly care about each and every cat they work with.

Fancy Cats recently assisted my family with rehoming our cat. The hard work they put in and the dedication to all of the cats they assist is incredible. Fancy Cats is a wonderful organization to have in our community.

I've always wanted to adopt a cat. Last year, it was decided that I would finally have one, so my sister (a vet assistant) helped me look. When we went to the Petsmart where Fancy Cats was located, the volunteers were very friendly and thurough. My sister commented that she really liked this rescue organization because the people there knew what she was talking about.

When I adopted my Best Friend, who is named Kiara, we took her to the vet and learned that she had to get some teeth removed. The Fancy Cats Organization volunteered to take her to a good vet and pay for the surgery themselves since they didn't spot that the surgery was needed prior to giving her to me. We were really nervous about taking Kiara, but when we went to the founder's home, the first thing we noticed were dozens and dozens of cats. Cats EVERYWHERE! It's easy to make jokes about this, and I may have actually done so, but in truth, that was probably the happiest house I've ever seen in my entire life. I want a home like that one day. As soon as we arrived, we knew that my princess would be in good hands.

These people live for cats. They're super passionate about what they do and know what they're doing. Please check this place out! Lots of cats are looking for forever homes, and I can't think of a better place to look than Fancy Cats Rescue Team.

Fancy Cats has become so overwhelmed with taking in every animal that the care for the ones already rescued is suffering immensely. I was a volunteer and would never recommend working with them. Several who run the organization are rude, aggressive and clearly don't have the best interests of the cats in mind. Cage conditions are deplorable, cats do not visit the vet before being placed in a home or a center and if they don't get adopted quickly, can stay in a center (small cage) for months and months on end. As volunteers we do everything we can to make the cats experience the best it can be, but unfortunately when health concerns arise, the cats are the ones who suffer.

We adopted a cat through Fancy Cats over 1.5 years ago. We were told that the we should absolutely adopt "Patches" because she was an older kitten and very family friendly. We really wanted a younger kitten, but the foster home of this cat really pushed Patches on us. Fast forward 6 months, it got into a fight with our other cat. In hindsight, this was likely a ferrell cat.

Fast forward to May, and Patches had attacked our sweet daughter. I tried calling Fancy Cats that same day of the attack, but no one answered my call. So, rather than taking Patches to be immediately euthanized at my vet, I had my mother take Patches to the pound the very same day of the attack.

That was the last I heard until I got a letter from an attorney yesterday from Fancy Cats nearly 4 months later! I am now being threatened with a lawsuit for giving up a cat that I received under false pretenses to begin with. I am honestly appalled with this organization, and very upset. I should be suing them for falsely promising me a cat that was friendly! I would have never signed a contract and brought home this cat if Fancy Cats had been honest about the cat's behavior and personality to begin with!

I adopted my cat from Fancy Cats and as I learned more about the organization I absolutely fell in love with what it is they do. They are angels for cats everywhere. The cat I adopted was a senior black kitty who had been returned twice. Fancy Cats didn't give up on her and as I result I benefit from the love and comfort that she brings to me. She is such a sweet kitty and I say she rescued me instead of me rescuing her. I have tried to donate when possible to Fancy Cats as I know the expenses they sometimes have do not match what they are receiving. However the benefit and the success stories you can see that are evident from their unconditional love and dedication is amazing. Absolutely an amazing and dedicated organization!!

Working with Fancy Cats Rescue Team is always a great experience. Every one of the volunteers that I have met have been so dedicated to the cause, and truly care about finding great homes for great cats. Thank you for always helping at risk cats from local shelters. We are so lucky to have you working with us. Anna- Volunteer with local shelter

Sometimes as a pet owner you are faced with the difficult decision to find a new home for your pet. I never thought I'd find myself in that position, but there I was. I tried to contact as many local groups as I could. After over a month of contacting different groups, I became somewhat discouraged. The typical response was slow (if they ever responded at all) and not favorable. Most were overrun with cats needing homes and although they would love to help me find a new home for my cats, they could not. Would I ever find a new home for my 2 cats? I didn't know. I did know one thing, I refused to surrender them to a shelter where they could possibly be put down. Finally, after contacting several animal rescue groups in my local area (central VA), one of the groups gave me a list of multiple cat rescue groups in VA. I decided to try my luck at groups outside of my local area. I first learned of Fancy Cats from that list.

I first checked out their website, which was current and had a lot of good information on it. I determined they were dedicated to finding forever homes for cats. When I contacted Fancy Cats I expected the same story- sorry we are full. Sorry we would love to help you but can't. Sorry, you have to live in Northern Va. Sorry, we don't take surrendered cats. I filled out the online interest form and heard back from a volunteer very quickly. I was advised they, too, had many cats they were trying to find homes for, but they would do their best to assist me. They took time to gather information about the cats and our personal situation. They were very caring and didn't make me feel guilty for making the decision I had to make. (I already felt bad enough about giving up my cats, I didn't need someone to judge me and make me feel any worse.) They were very helpful and provided some very good information, reviewing alternatives to giving my cats up. "Have you tried....". At that point they asked me to put together the cat bios and provide pictures. Throughout this part of the process I was in contact multiple times with volunteers and the president. They were always very quick to respond. Within a week they had my cats up on the website and I had someone who was interested in them. I was asked to bring them to Pet Smart to meet their potential new owner.

When I arrived at Pet Smart, I encountered a very busy pet adoption area. There were lots of volunteers who were assisting new owners with applications, answering questions about the cats, etc. The volunteers were very friendly and knowledgeable. I brought my cats into a separate room to meet their potential new owner. It seemed like we were a perfect fit for each other. I don't think that was by chance. I do believe it was by the work of the experienced volunteers at Fancy Cat that we were so perfectly matched up. We completed the paperwork, took some time to talk to each other and introduce the cats to the new owner. And, then they were off. My sweet cats and their new potential owner (it was a foster-to-own situation). I felt good about that because I knew there would be a test phase to determine if the cats were indeed a good fit. And if not, Fancy Cats would work again to find that great fit.

My decision to re-home my cats was not an easy one. But, my experience with Fancy Cats made it a lot better than what it would have been. Overall it was a very quick process, must faster than I expected. Within just a few short weeks I went from hopeless that I would ever find a good home for my cats to a point where they are well-adjusted and being spoiled rotten in their foster home. It's still early yet, but I'm hopeful the foster situation will turn into a complete adoption. I know the volunteers at Fancy Cats were very intentional with the foster selection. I do not believe they would have placed the cats with someone who was not a good fit. I am very thankful for the information and support Fancy Cats has given me through this experience. I also learned about fostering as an option. I think it's a great thing to do to provide care to an animal while they look for that perfect fit forever home. I would recommend fostering and I would definitely recommend Fancy Cats.

I have adopted four cats from Fancy Cats Rescue Team since 2007. All of the volunteers are knowledgeable, caring people, and the cats they have in their adoption centers and fairs are beautiful. What means the most to me is that FCRT is available for advice and help whenever I have needed it--whether it's helping a new kitty to adjust to my home or--more recently--when one of my senior FCRT kitties passed away. They do such wonderful work that they are frequently called on my other local rescue agencies and shelters, and they work tirelessly to help kitties who need a forever find the one person who needs to give them that home. I love FCRT almost as much as I love my cats.

I adopted my Cat Jack from Fancy Cats as a result of an urgent plea they posted on Facebook. Jack had been bounced around in several homes due to some behavioral issues and was about to be taken to the county shelter. He would have gone straight to the front of the kill line: Solid black, owner surrender, problem cat. Fortunately, his owner contacted Fancy Cats as one last resort. The urgent plea FCRT posted about him needing a home gave a complete and 100% accurate disclosure of his history and issues. Their truthful disclosure made me WANT to save him, and I did. All communications I had with FCRT during the adoption process were extremely professional. They asked me to provide them with updates on Jack after I adopted him, as they do with all cats they find homes for. I can't imagine my life without Jack or how anyone could have given him up and I thank Fancy Cats every day when I look at his beautiful face and know that he is alive and with me because of them.

My initial introduction to Fancy Cats Rescue Team was at one of their weekly adoption events last Fall. I ended up adopting a bonded pair of cats from them. I was contacted by them to see how things were going. I was pleased to discover that they do follow up on adoptions. I have also become aware via Facebook postings of just how very active they are in pulling and rescuing so many cats from shelters in order to give them a chance at adoption. My impression is that this group epitomises the saying that actions speak louder than words!

Fancy Cats is a wonderful local organization making a difference far beyond our community. Many organizations look to FCRT as a leader in cat rescue. I've adopted from FCRT, I've volunteered, I've been Volunteer Coordinator, and I'm a donor and supporter.

I found a lost cat in December of 2012 and unfortunately no one was looking for him. Being that shelters give their animals a time limit, I knew I was not going to send him there. So I contacted a bunch of recuses in Northern Virginia and I got the "we're sorry we are full" response. Lucky Fancy Cats got back to me saying they would be able to help me, Cathy gave me a date and the name of a volunteer that would be able to help. The volunteer, Danielle, was more then nice and reassuring. She came to my house picked him up and took him to get neutered. She let me know through emails and a phone call how he was recovering. I even got to see him a couple days later! Overall, a great rescue and I would recommend anyone looking for a cat to look here!

I've been a donor to Fancy Cats for many years. I first was introduced to their work at a cat show. In the years that followed I checked their web site regularly and donated when I could. Four years ago after I lost one of my kitties to cancer I began looking for a new kitty. Fancy Cats was my first thought for adopting since I knew the wonderful care that they provide all their babies. They are all wonderful people. The love and care that they give to each and every cat is amazing. They also take care of the cat people like me who are looking for a new baby! I adopted Miss Tillie a kitty who had some issues with traveling and is very shy. She is my Princess! I am very grateful to the folks at Fsncy Catd for taking such great care of Tillie! I'm do glad I found her! I volunteered for a short time doing the laundry at Springfield but had to quit for health reasons. I hope to help again soon! Thanks you Fancy Cats!

These folks have pulled and rescued so many "last minute" down-to-the-wire cats, and have worked very hard in making successful rescues of needy kitties. I am so grateful of all the work they do to help get new homes,medical care and emergency rescues..

Fancy cats is amazing!!! They helped us find the sweetest cat that brings so much joy to our lives. The volunteers of this organization care so much about the cats and finding them great homes. Over a year after we adopted out kitty, my husband wanted to reach out to find out more about her past. Fancy cats promptly responded and remembered her and all of the details about her! Wow! They're also great to follow on facebook and are always posting about adoptions, ways to help specific cats, and ways to help cats in general! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not from the metro D.C. area that Fancy Cats serve, but they were recommended to me when I was desperately trying to find a home for a stray cat diagnosed with leukemia (having 2 healthy cats & no outside shelter made it impossible for me to keep the new stray myself). After two and a half months of fruitless searching, within a couple of hours, FC was actively working to help me. Through their FB page and contacts, I met caring people who offered me several possibilities. These people really are dedicated animal lovers and advocates for those with no voice. I appreciate the hope they gave me when others offered none--I especially appreciate that they didn't discard me for being out of their area. My cat now has a safe and happy home, and based on my own personal experience, I rank them as a great organization.

I have been volunteering for FCRT since 2008 and I think they are a wonderful TRUE No-KILL rescue. They honestly care for the cats and try to do what is right for them. They stayed focused to their mission and do not discriminate. They are willing to take on the cats that other rescues wont and they amazingly find them true loving lifetime homes. They do not treat it as a business but as a responsibility to the community and all life. They always go ABOVE and BEYOND what would typically be done to ensure the cats stay happy healthy and loved. They have always taken back a cat even years down the road should the home not keep them. THEY CARE and this is why I continue to foster and volunteer with them.

I worked with Fancy Cats Rescue Team and found them to be very lacking in all the basics. Some of the volunteers were very cold and unfriendly, they did not make the experience pleasant at all. I would not recommend them to anyone considering a volunteer role in a rescue organization.

I was corresponding with the owner, Cathy, about an owner-surrender for my cat. She suggested that the problems were solely associated with my home. Then Cathy suggested that I should just put her down if she was such a problem cat! I have never been so disgusted or insulted by an animal rescue in my life. Would not recommend them to anyone.

Has always helped with rural cats and kittens that have no hope but a kill-shelter for adoptions. There are no local rescue groups but one that is overwhelmed with one person trying to do it all. They have worked with local shelter and taken cats that were scheduled for euthanasia.

I have been associated with Fancy Cats Rescue Team for several years. And I can honestly say that they are one of the only local groups that continues to reach out to the community. They try to help cats on death row at local shelters and are indiscriminate in who they take--older cats, sick cats, bottle babies, YOU NAME IT! They also try to reach out to owners who must relinquish a pet by helping them advertise the cats and screen potential adopters. This is a fantastic group of hard-working cat lovers who go above and beyond.

Fancy Cats has saved many wonderful cats over the years. I personally have adopted several cats from the group, and volunteerd much of my time. Sadly, Fancy Cats has little to no organizational structure, and as a group it is very poorly run. There is no leadership, no structure, no organization, and this really hurts the animals. I am very disappointed with the direction of this group and feel that in a relatively short period of time, it will shut down.

I fostered three orphaned kittens. They were so young, I had to know how to get them to learn things their mother would have taught them. I had to bottle feed them, which is a lot harder than it sounds. One of them ended up being a special needs cat- so I needed help figuring out what was wrong with him and how to make him the best cat he could be. And every bit of the way, I received support from volunteers. If someone didn't know the answer to a question, they would direct me to someone else who was sure to know. If my cats needed shots, medicine, or a vet visit, they got it. My cats were posted on the Internet by another volunteer. Other volunteers helped with the formal adoption process. If I went away on a trip, the cats were able to stay somewhere else till I got back. If I wasn't capable of doing something- like give shots or microchip, another volunteer would do it for me. Even with all the support, it was a lot of work on my part- but well worth it. Every single one of my cats are in homes where I know they'll never have to worry about where they'll be tomorrow- because they're in real forever homes. And I've met so many people while volunteering- other volunteers and people stopping by at adoption fairs.

I was introduced to Fancy Cats in October 2006 when I was adopting 2 new kitties. I was so impressed with the professionalism of the volunteers, their knowledge of acclimating a new cat into a home, and many other feline issues that I decided to become a volunteer myself. Once I became a volunteer and I realized everything that went on "behind the scenes", I was even more impressed with the dedication of the President, Cathy Awad, as well as many of the other volunteers, who give an incredible amount of their own time to make sure that all the cats receive appropriate care and are adopted to the right people. The thing I like best about Fancy Cats is that it is not about the numbers. They would rather continue to take care of an animal then to adopt them to anyone questionable. They screen all adopters and have no problem saying no if the fit is not right. Having said that, I would not be opposed to instituting a brief (even one day) waiting period prior to adoptions just in case some relevant information could come to light in that time, for example via interview with the listed veterinarian that might not have been available at the time of adoption. I will continue to support Fancy Cats in the future in one form or another. It is a fantastic organization filled with dedicated members who work selflessly to help as many animals as they possibly can. I highly recommend this organization to anyone who is looking for the right new feline addition to the family.

Awesome organization to be a part of! This is the only all-cat no-kill organization I am aware of and I am honored to donate my time.

I have been a volunteer for Fancy Cats Rescue Team for a few years. The group is exceptionally dedicated to pulling as many cats as possible from kill shelters. In recent times, they have taken so many cats that have been given up due to the fallout from the difficult economy. They have a lot of cats in their system, but the many volunteers pull together to do the best they can working to find the best homes for these cats. Fancy Cats works tirelessly with hard-to-adopt cats like the one I have fostered for about 6 months - Devo, a scruffy senior cat who was likely given up because of hard economic times. I will continue my association with this hard-working group.