Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center

Founded in 2005, our non-profit organization, Friends of the Norfolk Animal Care Center (Friends), began with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide additional medical care for animals in Norfolk’s City Shelter. It all started with a generous $750 donation, which ignited a spark in a small group of caring citizens.

Over the years, this initial spark grew into a flame of community involvement and support. In 2008, our organization officially became Friends of the Norfolk Animal Care Center, reflecting our expanded mission and commitment to the city's homeless pets.

From the initial six-member Board, Friends has grown to a 14-member Board with a network of volunteers and growing financial resources. The original $750 donation has advanced into an annual operating budget of nearly $100,000, with all proceeds benefiting the Norfolk Animal Care Center and community.

While the City of Norfolk provides for the basics—housing, feeding, and initial vaccinations—much more help is needed to prepare and place these pets in good homes. Many animals arrive injured and in need of medical care. That's where Friends of NACC comes in. Our additional support enables staff to give the extra care and attention these animals need.

Through our non-profit status as a 501(c)(3) organization, we work to raise funds to support additional initiatives, including the Golden Paws adoption program for senior pets, the Best Buds adoption program for bonded pets, a monthly spay/neuter program, and a mobile pet pantry to assist our community.

Together with the staff of the Norfolk Animal Care Center and our dedicated volunteers, Friends of NACC is committed to ensuring a happy outcome for all of Norfolk's shelter animals. We believe that every animal deserves a chance at a better life, and we work tirelessly to make that vision a reality.

Who We Are

Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center is a a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the Norfolk Animal Care Center in sheltering and caring for Norfolk's stray and homeless animals, to promote and facilitate adoptions, to assist with special medical care, to promote and support spay/neuter in the community and to educate the public about responsible pet ownership.