The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Animal Shelter (formerly SVASC) is the open-admission municipal animal shelter for Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro. They take in all stray, abandoned, and owner-surrendered animals from these localities. The shelter welcomes volunteers and donations to maintain the animals in its care.

The shelter also partners with various other businesses and charitable animal organizations in the area to facilitate adoptions and spaying and neutering.

Memorandum of Understanding between Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro

Oct. 21, 2025 marked the ribbon cutting for the new Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Animal Shelter. 

SAWAS Owners' Meetings

SAWAS Owners' meetings are held at 2 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at the Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Animal Shelter, 1011 Lee Highway, Verona. 

Adopt or Foster a Pet

Fortunately, the majority of the animals placed in the regional animal shelter end up in forever homes, thanks to the shelter’s average save rate of 95 percent. You can search for a pet to adopt by visiting the adoptable cats, adoptable dogs and other adoptable pets pages.  

If you’re not ready to adopt but want to help by providing displaced animals with temporary shelter, you can foster animals that need extra care until they are adopted.

Find a Missing Pet

Search the SAWAS stray search directory for the newest shelter arrivals. If you identify your pet in the directory, it will be released in accordance with City policy.

Surrender a Pet