We’re passionate about saving pets.

Richmond Animal League opened in a rented kennel in Chesterfield County as the area’s first and only nonprofit no-kill shelter. In 1987 the property where the kennel was located was sold to a developer forcing RAL to move out. Volunteers worked tirelessly to find shelters, boarding facilities, veterinary offices and foster homes that could take on each and every animal. In the years that followed generous donors provided the funding RAL needed to build its own facility.

Thanks to the hard work of RAL volunteers and the generosity of our community, we opened the doors to our facility in 1994 near Chesterfield Town Center. In the new facility we were able to house up to 30 dogs and 60 cats. However, we still relied on the assistance and facilities of local veterinary offices to handle basic medical care and spay/neuter needs.

We opened our own spay/neuter clinic in a trailer on RAL’s property, allowing us to provide surgeries and vaccinations to animals in RAL’s care, shelter partners, TNVR volunteers (Trap Neuter Vaccinate and Return), and the public, helping to reduce the homeless animal population in the region.

RAL purchased the neighboring bank building and property at 801 Branchway to expand and improve our existing clinic. In November of 2019, the Loving Spay + Neuter Clinic moved into state-of-the-art facilities with RAL’s administrative offices taking the second floor.

1.4 acres of adjoining land behind RAL’s two properties was purchased in 2022 to support future growth and increase the land available to fulfill our vision of an integrated campus. The additional property brings the total campus to 4.5 acres and will enable RAL to retain our natural green spaces and expand wooded pathways.

Planning for renovation and enhancements began in 2022 and will take place in 2 phases. Phase 1 will focus on the adoption and public facing space of the shelter. Phase 1 renovations will begin in early 2023. Phase 2 planning to address the kennel area of the shelter has begun and the renovation of that space should begin after Phase 1 is completed.