Photos: Missing Pets in the Del Ray Area

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Today is National Pet Day, a time to celebrate the furry friends in your life.

But while today is just another day to cherish with your animal companion, it is also a reminder of the lost pets and strays looking to be found or find a new home. Helping reunite pets with their families can ease overcrowding in animal shelters. According to the ASPCA, as many as 6.5 million pets enter animal shelters nationwide every year

Social media has become a tool for helping locate lost pets in the Northern Virginia area. Northern Virginia has local Facebook pages and groups to share photos and information about missing pets.

Here are some animals in the Alexandria area that have gone missing and/or are looking for the owner. Let us know in the comments if you know of other missing pets.

Cocker Spaniel/Retriever Mix Missing from Springfield

Alexandria Dog Missing Since Feb. 22

Orange Cat Found Near Fort Belvoir

Gray Pitbull Found in Annandale

Gray cat found in Clifton

Yellow Dog Found Near Falls Church

Image via Flickr/Martin Astley, used under Creative Commons