Who We Are

Anicira is a nonprofit veterinary service provider dedicated to ending animal suffering by improving access to veterinary care. We believe pets are beloved family members, and our mission is to ensure they remain with the people who love them—regardless of financial circumstances.

We provide thousands of animals with free veterinary care and pet food each year. Our commitment to compassion, community, and excellence guides everything we do. Our team helps families care for their pets by making high-quality veterinary services affordable and accessible.

We strive to uphold the highest standards of care to ensure every pet’s safety and comfort during their visit to our veterinary hospitals. Whether it’s a routine wellness exam or a complex surgery, we treat every pet with love, dignity, and respect.

Anicira is proud to be an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, meaning we have voluntarily chosen to meet or exceed the rigorous standards set by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the only organization that accredits companion animal hospitals in the United States and Canada. Accreditation is a voluntary process that demonstrates a hospital’s commitment to delivering the highest quality of veterinary care and continually improving its services.

To achieve AAHA accreditation, a veterinary hospital must meet or exceed hundreds of standards that cover every aspect of veterinary medicine and hospital management. These standards are more comprehensive than basic state licensing requirements and are continually updated to reflect the latest advancements in veterinary care. Learn more about these standards here.

From day one, spaying/neutering has been a core part of our mission, and it remains so today. We request that every pet in our care is spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters and reduce shelter overpopulation.

Since opening our doors, we’ve cared for more than 325,000 cats and dogs, from large feral cat colonies to 200 lb. Mastiffs and countless shelter animals. We collaborate with animal welfare organizations – large and small, nonprofit and government-operated – to reduce unnecessary euthanasia and give animals the chance to live happy, healthy lives.

Our work continues to grow each year, advancing our mission and deepening our impact on families and their pets. Through our programs, we are changing lives—one pet at a time.

How to Pronounce Anicira

Anicira (“An-eh-SEER-ah”)

Noun:  / ‘ӑn. Ə. Sir. Ə’ /  OR    / ‘æn. Ə. Sir. Ə’ /

Our name, Anicira, is derived from the Latin words for animal and care—the two concepts at the heart of everything we do.

Our History

Anicira was founded in Harrisonburg, VA, in 2005 as the Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic to address the high number of homeless pets in the Shenandoah Valley by providing affordable spay/neuter surgeries.

As the needs of our community evolved, so did we. In response to the growing need for affordable veterinary care, we expanded beyond spay/neuter to offer primary care, general surgery, dental and oral surgery, and other essential veterinary services.

In 2012, we opened a second location in Manassas, Virginia, bringing affordable veterinary care to more pet families in Northern Virginia. In 2021, we expanded to the West Coast, with the opening of a veterinary surgical hospital in San Diego, California.

In 2025, Anicira celebrated 20 years of helping pets and the people who love them. What began as a small spay/neuter clinic has grown into a multi-state network of community-centered veterinary hospitals providing high-quality, affordable care to pets and their families.

Our growth continues. In 2026, we began expanding our presence in California, with the addition of a new surgical hospital in Culver City, with plans to open in late October 2027, and continued developing our next Virginia location in Alexandria, expected to open in summer 2027.

Today, Anicira remains committed to evolving with the communities we serve. We believe access to veterinary care is essential to animal welfare, and we are dedicated to expanding access, strengthening our communities, and helping more pets live healthier, happier lives.

Our Impact

Since our founding in 2005, Anicira has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of pets and the people who love them. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together:

• 325,000+ cats and dogs served since 2005
• 20,000+ spay/neuter surgeries annually
• 500,000+ nutritious meals provided each year
• 30,000+ families supported with free or affordable veterinary care yearly
• Three community-based hospitals located in Harrisonburg, Manassas, and San Diego
• 25+ animal welfare partners across Virginia, California, and beyond
• A measurable impact on pet homelessness, shelter overpopulation, and unnecessary euthanasia

Our Values

Mission

Anicira is committed to serving animals and our community through veterinary services, education, outreach, care, and protection programs to help animals live healthy lives in a safe environment.

Vision

End animal suffering.

Core Values

• Believe in the inherent dignity of each animal
• Lead with compassion
• Partner with people