Holiday event poster with a snowy background, a gingerbread house, a dog wearing a red scarf, and a cat standing next to the house.
Holiday-themed flyer with a gingerbread dog house, a smiling dog with a red scarf, and a smiling orange cat. Snow falling in the background. Text overlays advertising a pet adoption event from November 28 to December 21, hosted by Velvet Paws, with a $10 fee.

Operation Silent Night

presented by

Logo for Velvet Paws with a black background, decorative gold scrolls, a paw print with a silhouette of a dog and a cat inside, and the text 'Velvet Paws' in pink and green.

Operation Silent Night (OSN) is Richmond Animal League’s hallmark holiday adoption event. In the spirit of the season, adoption fees are reduced to just $10, and adoption hours are extended — all with one mission: find every pet a home for the holidays.

Throughout OSN, RAL welcomes even more cats and dogs from our animal control and rescue partners across Virginia, with transfers continuing right through the final days of the event. When someone adopts during OSN, they’re doing more than giving one pet a home. That adoption opens space at RAL for another cat or dog to come here, creating the opportunity for yet another pet to be helped.

Any pets not adopted during OSN spend the holidays in loving foster homes, surrounded by comfort and care.

OSN 2025 took place from Nov. 28 to Dec. 21.

2025 was our biggest Operation Silent Night yet!

  • 266 Adoptions: 136 cats & 130 dogs

  • 181 Intakes: 93 cats & 88 dogs

DONATE

The Luminary Ceremony

Following the successful conclusion of Operation Silent Night, as each and every pet finds a loving home for the holidays, we extend a heartfelt invitation to the community for our Annual Luminary Ceremony.

The community joined us in embracing the serene ambiance of an empty shelter aglow with shining luminaries. These soft glows are a touching tribute, honoring and cherishing the memories of the pets and people who hold a special place in our hearts.

The Luminary Ceremony is a gift to the community, providing a free and open space for everyone to partake in this shared moment of reflection and gratitude. We welcome you to be a part of this meaningful gathering, as we celebrate the quiet beauty of the season and the enduring bonds that make our shelter a haven of love and compassion.

View photos from the 2025 ceremony as well as every traditional luminary.

Paper bags labeled Remy, Tomato, Bandit, Riley Beans, placed on a dark surface with string lights around them.

The 2025 Luminary Ceremony was held on Monday, December 22nd from 6 - 7:30 pm at RAL’s Adoption Center.

Decorative room with holiday lights, poinsettias, and white furniture along the walls, with shelves holding boxes and candles at the back.
VIEW PHOTOS
Two pets, a dog and a cat, dressed in winter clothing and scarves, sitting on a decorated porch with holiday decorations, Christmas garlands, ornaments, and a wreath, carrying luggage, with a red door in the background.

Want to share your home with a furry guest this season? Operation Silent Night offers short-term foster opportunities for pets who would love a warm, cozy place to spend the holidays. Foster pick-ups begin Tuesday, December 16, and all pets must be picked up by noon on Monday, December 22. Pets can begin returning on January 2, though foster families are always welcome to keep them longer.

Because OSN focuses on giving pets every chance to meet adopters in person, we won’t know how many foster placements we’ll need until the end of the event. Completing the OSN foster form adds you to our roster so we can reach out if a pet needs a temporary home.

If you’d like to be considered for an OSN foster placement, please fill out this short form. To join our year-round foster team as well, visit our foster page.

Thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for pets in our care. 🧡

The Operation Silent Night shop is officially open!

Pick up our limited-edition 2025 OSN ornament, featuring this year’s OSN logo designed by our friends at PUNCH, or choose a traditional luminary to honor a special pet or person this season. Every purchase helps light the way home for pets hoping to spend the holidays with a loving family.

VISIT THE OSN SHOP
Wooden ornament with engraved design and text, hanging from a pink ribbon. The ornament reads 'Operation Silent Night 2025' with a drawing of a house, a reindeer, a cat, and pine trees, and the phrase 'There's no place like home for the holidays'.

Sponsorship Opportunities

  • Click here to become our Ornament Sponsor.

    Includes: 
    *This is an exclusive sponsor level, meaning there can only be one sponsor in this category

    • Logo on the back of the OSN t-shirt 

    • 4 event t-shirts 

    • 10 traditional luminaries

    • Logo with link to company site on the OSN webpage

    • Recognition in 3 social media posts on RAL's Facebook & Instagram

    • Recognition in post-event e-newsletter 

    • Recognition in 2 pre-event e-newsletters

    • Opportunity to set up an informational table during the Luminary Ceremony on Dec. 22nd

    • Recognition during the Luminary Ceremony announcements 

    • Logo on ornament packaging, given out during Operation Silent Night

    • First right of refusal the following year 

  • Click here to be our Cookie & Cocoa Sponsor.

    Includes: 
    *This is an exclusive sponsor level, meaning there can only be one sponsor in this category

    • Logo on the back of the OSN t-shirt 

    • 4 event t-shirts 

    • 10 traditional luminaries

    • Logo with link to company site on the OSN webpage

    • Recognition in 3 social media posts on RAL's Facebook & Instagram

    • Recognition in post-event e-newsletter 

    • Recognition in 2 pre-event e-newsletters

    • Opportunity to set up an informational table during the Luminary Ceremony on Dec. 22nd

    • Recognition during the Luminary Ceremony announcements 

    • Logo on hot chocolate cup sleeves & napkins

    • First right of refusal the following year 

  • Click here to become a Platinum Sponsor.

    Includes: 

    • Logo on the back of the OSN t-shirt 

    • 3 event t-shirts 

    • 6 traditional luminaries

    • Logo with link to company site on the OSN webpage

    • Recognition in 2 social media posts on RAL's Facebook & Instagram

    • Recognition in post-event e-newsletter 

    • Recognition in 1 pre-event e-newsletters

    • Opportunity to set up an informational table during the Luminary Ceremony on Dec. 22nd

  • Click here to become a Gold Collar Sponsor.

    Includes: 

    • Logo on the back of the OSN t-shirt 

    • 2 event t-shirts 

    • 4 traditional luminaries

    • Logo with link to company site on the OSN webpage

    • Recognition in 1 social media post on RAL's Facebook & Instagram

    • Recognition in post-event e-newsletter 

  • Click here to become a Silver Collar Sponsor.

    Includes: 

    • Logo on the back of the OSN t-shirt

    • 1 event t-shirts 

    • 2 traditional luminaries

    • Logo with link to company site on the OSN webpage

  • Click here to be a Friend of OSN.

    Includes: 

    • Name (not logo) on the back of the OSN t-shirt 

    • 1 event t-shirt 

    • 1 traditional luminary

Group of people sitting on metal cages inside a room, some smiling and posing for the photo, with Christmas hats and holiday sweaters.

Thank you 2025 OSN Sponsors!

Can’t attend this event but still want to help?

MAKE A DONATION