Our Adoptable Cats
Our Adoptable Dogs
All Our Adoptable Pets
HOURS OF OPERATION
We invite you to visit the animals at the Facility on the following days and hours:
Visitor Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm
Wednesday: 11:30 am - 7:30 pm
Residents may also come to the Facility to purchase licenses during the following days and hours:
Administrative Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm
Wednesday: 11:30 am - 7:30 pm
We are closed on Thursday and Sundays and government holidays.
SHELTER ANIMALS MAKE WONDERFUL PETS! Give an animal a second chance and you'll enjoy a LIFETIME of unconditional love!
Please scroll past our lovely FEATURED PETS, ADOPTED & RESCUED section and amazing SUCCESS STORIES to read more about the RESCUES with whom we work closely!
ADOPTION FEES
Adoption Fee: $15 (dogs); $10 (cats)
Microchip Fee: $15 (dogs and cats)
License Fee (for PG residents and altered pet): $5 (dog or cat)
License Fee (for PG residents and unaltered pet): $25 (dog or cat)
(Sometime an animal is adopted out but can't be spayed/neutered yet, if it's too young or too thin or on medication. In those cases the license fee is $25, with $20 being refunded to the adopter once the animal is spayed/neutered.)
Spay/Neuter Fee: $100 (dogs); $45 (cats)
So for dogs the most the adoption fee will be is $155. For cats the most the adoption fee with be is $95. Very reasonable for the lifetime of love they're about to give you!
OUR FEATURED PETS...
These are just a handful of the wonderful pets we have in our facility. We invite you to come in and visit us today to find the right pet for your family and your life!
Please call 301-780-7200 to confirm the availability of the animals you’d like to meet.
DOGS
STAY TUNED FOR MORE FEATURED DOGS!!
ADOPTED & RESCUED...
The following lucky animals are lovin’ life in the comfort and warmth of a new home or a rescue group. We convey our thanks to their wonderful new families and rescue volunteers who keep our animals safe, healthy and happy.
A327896, 4 year old neutered male domestic long hair
RESCUED!! What a handsome and loving boy! He loves attention and affection as indicated by his loud purring. Even after moving on to visit other cats, his purring was audible from a few feet away! He’s got a gorgeous long coat that begs to be pet and THE most gorgeous eyes……one glance and you’ll be mesmerized too! Thanks for visiting our site.
A327828, 4 year old neutered male brown tabby
RESCUED!! So many nice cats!! Here’s another sweet boy…..already neutered, so he can go home quickly! He too likes attention and who could resist those beautiful green eyes?? He’d love to spend Valentine’s Day with you…..so hurry in to meet him and apply to adopt. Thank you!
A327682, 1 year old female domestic short hair, gray
ADOPTED!! Here you have a lovely little girl with the softest fur and just a tiny tinge of white on her tail. Her likes include snuggling in her bed, nibbling on her food and going home with you. She’s only a year old, so you and she will have many, many years of fun and frolic in your future, should you be her lucky adopter. Stop in soon to visit. Thanks.
A327795, 10 month old female domestic short hair, black
ADOPTED!! Perhaps she is the inspiration for the expression “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed”! She’s a sweet little kitten who would soooo rather be in a home right now instead of her kitty condo. She promises to be a good girl and give you lots of love in exchange for a soft bed (or your lap) and yummy food (or a bite of your tuna sandwich). Please visit us soon to meet this lovely little girl yourself. See you soon!
A327076, BO, 5 year neutered male Shepherd/Rottie mix
RESCUED!! Bo is a handsome boy whose family could not longer take care of him. He finds himself at the shelter, looking for a new home. It was a pleasure to meet him the other day. He's past that jumpy, rambunctious puppy stage and just sat and stayed when the kennel door was opened to snap his picture. He took treats very gently and was just content to get some attention. Please come and visit this sweet, gentle, laid back boy and make his new year VERY happy!! Thanks.
A326841, 5 year old female German Shepherd
ADOPTED!! Her pictures don't do her justice.....she is absolutely beautiful. She is friendly and vibrant. Please don't think 5 year old dogs need retirement homes!! This lovely girl is as active as dogs over half her age!! She knows sit and paw and has the most sincere look in her eyes. She takes treats a little quickly, but we only spent a short time together. Shepherds are a notoriously smart and trainable breed, so training her will be a snap! Check out her VIDEO!! She looks forward to meeting you!
A326963, 7 year old male miniature poodle
RESCUED!! This tiny little boy (about 8 lbs) needs a home who will love him and keep him safe from harm. We believe he's blind in his right eye and his other eye is very cloudy too. As you can tell from his pictures, he likes to curl up in blankets and snuggle beds. Even though his vision is impaired, his sense of smell works just fine as he sniffed out the treats in my hand. CHECK OUT HIS VIDEO. Please visit us soon so he can get out of the shelter and into your loving home. Thanks!
A327289, PRINCESS, 1 year old female American Bulldog mix
RESCUED!! Princess is worthy of her name. She's sweet and lovely and mannerly. And the fact that she only has three legs doesn't dampen her spirits at all. She knows 'sit' and takes treats very gently. She is so deserving of a loving, fabulous (not just great.....we want FABULOUS!!!) forever home. CHECK OUT HER VIDEO. Thanks for considering a shelter animal!
A327343, 2 year old male Boston Terrier mix
ADOPTED!! My oh my.....what a cutie pie! He was sitting so patiently while I was visiting his neighbor across the aisle. He is so friendly and so happy! He knows sit and loves to accept treats from you. He's got huge ears to listen for you coming home from work. And his cow-camouflage is perfect so you can't see him hiding on your cow-printed couch! This guy is just fun to be with and will add much joy to your life. CHECK OUT HIS VIDEOS. Thanks for visiting our website!
A326473, 3 year old female Beagle / Labrador mix
RESCUED!! Introducing the one and only lovely brindle beagle lab and maybe something else mix!! This one of a kind beauty is a friendly, happy, waggy girl. She's a mid-sized dog so won't take up too much room on your couch! Please visit soon so you can meet her and all the other wonderful pets we have up for adoption. Thanks!
A326436, TY, 2 year old male mixed breed
ADOPTED!! Ty (and Sin, A326437) are listed as Rottie mixes, but I don't see it. Ty has chow coloring, half floppy ears and pointer/dalmation spotted paws and is a medium sized dog. Enough about his handsome looks....let's talk personality! He's very friendly and outgoing and knows sit and paw and he takes treats like a complete gentleman. And he's a good kisser too. :-) I don't have a single complaint about him, based on the time I spent with him in the kennel. *CHECK OUT HIS VIDEO* Please come in and meet him for yourself. Thanks for visiting our site!!
SUCCESS STORIES!
Want some happy endings? Check out these great updates from Buddy, Kaos, Chowder, Sheba, Riddick, Aiyana, Kirk & Luke, Charlie, Romeo, Buster, Montell, Molly-Bear, Rosco, Daisy, Echo, Syrus, Livvy, Georgie, Max, Zoey, Beauregard, Annie, Seamus, Jack, Lola, Kaiser and Phoebe......
If you have a success story you'd like to share with us, please send an e-mail (with some pictures!) to PG_success@yahoo.com . Thank you!
Buddy….one of the first Puggles!!
It’s always great to hear from an adopter from years gone by. This update from Buddy’s mom was terrific!
I adopted Buddy (Now also known as: Bud Bear, Buddito or Buddrick now) about 3 years ago now when he was 4 years old. Unlike many people, I wanted an adult dog (preferably male and medium sized). A shelter staff member pointed me in Buddy's direction (I wanted to take all of the dogs home so I needed help narrowing it down) and it's been great ever since! He's a great dog with a wonderful temperament who, despite his size, loves to sit on your lap. My family, neighbors, and friends love him so much that they buy him treats or have gotten dogs of their own. He's an inspiration! The day I stopped by the shelter was the first time I'd ever visited one, and I thought I would just look, but I'm glad I adopted and would do it again in a heartbeat. :o)
Buddy doesn't care for the camera, but we catch him sometimes. See attached photos.
Buddy is a beagle/pug or puggle….and we’re all so happy he’s brought his family and friends so much joy. Many thanks to his mom for sending in his update and being able to get a couple pictures of him.
A BUSTER update!
Buster's mom sent in some updated photos of handsome Buster enjoying his first Christmas in his new home and the big snowstorm! That's one lucky pup.....
Kaos made it home in time for Santa!!
Well, sure, dogs can't tell which day of the week it is or what month it is, but it's always sad knowing there are so many homeless animals in the shelter during the holidays. But Kaos got his wish and found himself a wonderful family just in time for Santa Claus to slide down the chimney of his new home with a pouch full of treats and toys and, oh yeah, all the love any dog could ever want. We're all smiling from ear to ear for this big, handsome boy.....
We adopted Kaos two days before Christmas. He had a new family to share the wonderful holidays with! He is a great dog to have around, always following someone around the house. He gives lots of love and we have him spoiled already. He has a big fenced in yard to run and play in and he LOVES going for walks! We are glad to have Kaos as our new family member, we love him a lot!!!
And we love it that you love him! Thanks for giving him a terrific home (and for letting him on the couch!). All shelter animals deserve happy endings. We're thrilled that Kaos got his.
Chowder in his new forever home!!
Dogs all around the Washington/Baltimore area were surely enjoying this big snowstorm. Our alumni, Chowder, was no exception! Enjoy these pictures of him romping in the snow!
Chowder(formerly known as Jack), was adopted August 2009. I must say that he is a happy go lucky pup.
I had to get help to get him in the car to go home. He was actually running back to
the building! I guess he didn't want to leave the staff at the shelter because they were
so friendly. He was a little shy at first when he arrived to his new home. Now 4 months later....he's very happy! He looooves snacks too! He loves red apples(without the seeds), plain yogurt and of coarse, doggy treats. He's a funny guy with tons of energy. He goes for walks 4 times a day and he enjoys playing fetch with his trusty orange tennis ball. He barks very little and sleeps through the night. I'm pleased that we chose Chowder because he's the perfect match for our family.
Chowder had a wonderful time playing in the 09 winter storm. He was all over the place!
Thank you PGCAMD for assisting us. The shelter is very clean and the adoption process was smooth. I'm glad to know that I helped to save a furry life. Chowder says thank you and Happy Holidays!.
Welcome home, Chowder!! We're glad you found your family. :-)
A CHARLIE update!
Charlie's mom sent in this great update on Charlie along with a precious photo. Enjoy!
Thought you'd get a kick out of Charlie's latest photo. He's quite a comedian, it seems: when given chewy treats, he doesn't like to chew on them, he prefers to carry them around in his mouth while whining. In this photo, he actually looks like a walrus!
He's doing great, and even went with us to Hilton Head Island last month on "vacation."
Always great to hear from an old friend!
A MOLLY update!
Molly's mom sent in some updated photos of Molly being, well, spoiled. And we love it!! There's also a video clip of Molly enjoying some of the snow we had recently. (Just click on her photos for the link to the video.) Her mom wrote:
I thought you might enjoy an update, so I'm sending you some recent photos and a video! Hope it brings you cheer to know she's still in a great home!
It sure does bring us cheer. Thanks!! We can't wait til Molly convinces you that she needs a brother or sister and you come back to visit us!
Buddha & Sheba…..BFF (best furry friends)!!
It’s always good to hear from an old friend, out of the blue, isn’t it? What a pleasant surprise to hear from Sheba’s family. Beautiful Sheba was adopted from us three years ago. Read her wonderful update:
Sheba is a happy 3 year old Mutt, who lives with our family including her beagle-mix buddy, Buddha. We get asked frequently "what breed is she," and was told "she's so beautiful she should be a breed." We couldn't be happier with her.
Sheba was a humane case, rescued with her mother and 7 siblings, and released to us at 3 1/2 months of age in 9/06. We had just lost our beloved Golden 2 months before, and wanted a shelter dog to fill our home. Sheba is a ball full of energy, can balance on her hind legs looking over fences, and jump over objects in a single bound. One of the things we love most about her is her personality (drama queen, and a dog's dog with no bounds or limits--born free!)
Thank you for rescuing her and all the other wonderful dogs at PG County Shelter. We always recommend your Shelter to others looking to adopt animals. We thank you for your wonderful service.
Sheba certainly IS a beautiful girl, worthy of her own breed. We all love “mutts” here….for those who can’t decide which breed they like best, adopt a dog with a couple mixed together! Thank you to Sheba and Buddha’s devoted family for the terrific pictures and story. We understand that Buddha was also a rescue….living in 2 no-kill shelters for a year and a half up in New England before being adopting into this fabulous family committed to second chances and saving lives. We are so grateful to you….and all the loving adopters out there! Thank you.
Welcome home Riddick!
It’s a fact….large black dogs are often the last to be adopted. Many folks don’t have the room for extra large dogs or the strength to handle their larger size. Handsome Riddick is very fortunate to have found his fabulous forever home…..we couldn’t be happier for him! Check out this wonderful update:
I adopted Riddick (formerly Kedar), a black Boerboel, from the shelter on October 24, 2009. Riddick is adapting quite nicely to his new home. His kennel cough is just about gone and he's quite healthy. He was housetrained from the moment I got him, and we've had no accidents in the house. He is just the best dog and very smart. I taught him how to walk next to me and not pull or cross during our walks in less than 24 hours. When I stop, he stops, and when I walk, he walks.
He loves to watch TV with me and snooze. When I sit on the couch and watch TV, he just watches with me and naps quietly. I've included a picture of him watching Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer with me, along with a bunch of other pictures. He also sleeps quietly next to my bed at night. I know he wakes up before me, but he waits quietly for me until I wake up and turn on the light.
It took him no time at all to get his appetite back. He loves meal time. I feed him twice a day and he scarfs it down in 30 seconds! He should gain that weight back in no time. We went to the vet last Saturday, and he'd already put on 7 pounds. He loves cheese. He was a very good boy at the vet, and they won him over with little cookies and EZ cheese.
He loves to ride in the car. As soon as I open up the back of my 4Runner, he jumps up and lays down, ready to go for a ride. We went to Williamsburg to visit my brother for his birthday, and Riddick rode in the back for 2 hours with no complaints. He just napped. That boy is always snoozing, kinda like a cat!
He's still pretty easily spooked, but I've taught him that the doorbell and the garage door are nothing to be afraid of. I take him to PetSmart as often as I can, so that he can learn to be around people. He's much better and doesn't really get scared of men anymore when they pet him. He just lays on the floor and lets everyone pet him. He even lets puppies lick his slobber with treat crumbs in it off his face. It's funny. The employees love him there, and he's getting more comfortable with it. There's one girl there that he's particularly fond of, and he sits or lays in her cashier cubby while she works. He gets so much attention from everyone who sees him, and everyone always comments about how beautiful he is and how well behaved he is. He's really thriving.
Thanks so much for helping me bring such a great boy into my home.
You are very welcome! Thank YOU for loving him as much as you do and for giving him his much-deserved second chance!
Aiyana…..a little girl sent to fill big paws
Sometimes we don’t know why things happen when they do and sometimes we have to be reminded to keep our hearts open. Aiyana is bringing a lot of happiness to her new family, during a time that they really needed it. This is the beginning of her story….
Howdy folks! Remember me? I was the 2 year old Jindo mix who was picked up as a stray on 9/22/09. Nobody knows what my history is and I’m not telling…..that’s my secret! My mom volunteers at the shelter and when her fellow volunteer friends sent around my picture and said how they hoped I went to the right home because my breed could be difficult for some people to handle, mom knew she had to meet me cuz she has her very own Jindo at home. You see, just four days before I came to the shelter, my mom and dad had to say goodbye to their almost 16 year old German Shepherd, Taja. From what I’ve learned, she was an amazing girl and mom and dad’s hearts broke having to say goodbye. She lived with them for over 9 years and, I’m told, was the apple of their eye and the “bestest dog in the whole wide world”.
Well, I knew I couldn’t replace Taja but I knew I could help them bounce back, so when I met mom I just showered her with kisses and I sat real good for treats. I was on my very best behavior! Then my dad met me and he really liked me too. Then I met my new brothers. Hey….one looked just like me and they called him Chekotah and the other one was a big silver sable shepherd and they called him Cayucos. I just wanted to play, play, play with them!! “This is great”, I thought! My very own family! Mom and dad named me Aiyana, which means “eternal bloom”. Now that mom knows me a little better she said she hopes it doesn’t mean that it’ll take an eternity for me to bloom into a good girl! The nickname I earned in the days since they adopted me is “trouble-magnet”….what does that mean?? Am I made out of metal?? And apparently mom and dad aren’t married cuz they have two different last names, cuz sometimes they call me Aiyana Droppit and sometimes they call me Aiyana Leavit. They ought to get married, so I’ll only have ONE name!
PLEASE CLICK ON MY PICTURES TO READ THE REST OF MY STORY!!
Welcome home, Aiyana….we’re glad you’re here. Love, Mom
Luke & Kirk are HOME SWEET HOME!
We love getting updates from our adopters and when we get TWO updates in one, it’s just fabulous! Read the success story we received from Luke, Kirk and their new mom…..
Dear PG County Animal Control,
From Kirk (orange) and Luke (orange and white):
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US FIND A HOME!!!! We just love it here! Our new owner has created an awesome play place called "Cat City" out of boxes and scratching posts. She's taking great care of us and we feel so loved.
From LaShandra:
I adopted TWO of your cats on August 15th and I couldn't be happier with my rescue animals. Kirk and Luke both met the vet very early due to minor illnesses, but they are doing so well in their new home. They have adjusted to the other cats in the house and love each other like brother and sister! Please tell the blonde vet-tech THANK YOU!! for pointing out Luke to me. He was just a shy boy in the back of the cage when she suggested I take a look at him, but he has completely blossomed. Kirk is totally clumsy and cute and we couldn't possibly love her more. We've just got to fix her problem of randomly falling off the bed. :-) Please see attached pictures for proof of happiness.
Thanks again for making my home so much warmer and happier with little Cat Kirk and Luke.
LaShandra
P.S. Their names came from the tv show "The Gilmore Girls."
What a wonderful update! We are so happy for Kirk, Luke and LaShandra…..and wishing them all many, many happy years together in “Cat City”!!
Charlie…..a little guy with a lot of personality!
Whenever we welcome and older dog to the shelter, we always worry a bit, since most people prefer younger dogs and, of course, puppies. Charlie was one such boy we worried about, so we had to feature him. Lo and behold, he found himself a wonderful new family!! It was great to get this update from his proud new mom! And from the looks of that photo with dad, I’d say he’s pretty pleased with Charlie too!
Friday, August 7th was the big day: Charlie came home with us and settled in right away. He proved to be quite the social butterfly, greeting all the dogs in the neighborhood with a friendly bark and a wag of the tail. He has also marked every tree on our walking path to tell everyone "Charlie's in town" - and he gets a walk at least 3 times a day, despite having a fenced yard to roam around in.
Boy is he happy to get his leash on and sprint out the door. He moves fast, leaving our 7 year old female westie in his dust. Would anyone believe he's 11 years old? Certainly no one who has met him! His best trick is to find his favorite toy (at the moment, it's a stuffed turtle) and to carry it around in his mouth proudly. But he doesn't hesitate to drop the turtle if he needs to defend the house, challenging those who come to the door: "Charlie's here - better watch out" he barks. We will long celebrate August 7, 2009 as the day Charlie adopted our family. Lucky us!
Hilary
And we too will celebrate August 7th as Charlie Day! Congratulations on finding your perfect family, Charlie!
Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou?!
He’s HOME! Enjoying his new family and lovin’ life!! We got this note from Romeo’s adopter and we’re grinnin’ from ear to ear!!
His tail hasn't stop wagging since he realized he came to a loving and caring home. He is a sweetheart and we love him. I couldn't be more pleased.
We want loving and caring homes for all our animals…..if your home fits that description, please come visit us and your new pet!
Meet Buster……a lucky boy who’s adored by his family!
I know what you’re thinking…..could that dog be any happier?? Well, I don’t think it’s possible. His new family loves him to pieces and takes him everywhere! Check out his video taken at the shelter two weeks before he went home. Buster’s proud mom, Marianne, sent us this note from her handsome boy:
My name is Buster and I was adopted in February 2009. When I first arrived to my new home I was underweight from being a stray for so long and wasn't really sure what to make of this thing known as a "house". I made myself feel a little more comfortable at home by redecorating the place when my family would leave for work and school. I personally though the couch cushions would look better on the floor in the dining room, and would also drag my extremely large dog bed from room to room with me...Since then, I have put back on a good amount of weight, and have come to an agreement with the rest of the family on where the couch cushions (and my bed) should reside. I am spoiled rotten, I really do think I have more toys and bones than PetSmart, and I absolutely love going to the dog park. I love swimming in Rock Creek Park and I even went on my first vacation to the Outer Banks this summer. I played in the ocean, went into the pool, dug in the sand, and went for long early morning or late night runs on the beach. I am truly living "a dogs life" and couldn't be any happier. I wanted to thank the PG County Animal Shelter for taking me in when I had no place to call home, and I wanted to thank my new family for taking a chance on me and giving me that forever home we all deserve.
As one of our dedicated workers said, it sounds like Buster hit the jackpot! I certainly agree. We’re all thrilled for him and send many thanks to his mom for the terrific update and wonderful photos. Sending hugs to Buster!! We’re glad we could help you find your new loving home!
Move over dogs, we have a cat success story!
Congratulations to Montell for being our first feline success story and, more importantly, for adopting himself a new loving mom and dad! Could this cat look any more content in any of these photos? And the one of him and his dad is absolutely priceless. Montell’s family has this to report:
We both wanted to say thank you for helping us to adopt Montell. We are all enjoying each other! Montell is enjoying his new home and has brought great happiness. We knew when we saw him that he would be a great addition to our family. He is our first child since we are still newlyweds of 2 years. Here are some pictures of him! Thank you so much Prince George's County Animal Management Division for taking such good care of him until we found him. We took him to the vet and he is very healthy! He enjoys playing around and sleeping!
Sincerely,
Tavion, Lorraine, and Montell
We couldn’t be happier that another love-connection was made at our shelter. If you’d like a cat as sweet and lovable as Montell, I’m sure we have several to choose from! We wish Montell and his family many years of happiness….and long naps with dad.
Meet Jolly Molly….a very lucky (and smart) little girl!
It just doesn’t get any better than this, folks!! Click on Molly’s picture for her mom’s full write-up, but here’s just a little bit of her glowing praise for her little girl!
We were nervous adopting from a shelter, but the staff made us feel confident that we were doing the right thing, and we couldn't be happier to have her. She is truly a blessing, and has brought so much happiness into our lives so far!
Trust me when I say we’re all thrilled for Molly-Bear and her happy ending….or should I say happy beginning? Sounds like her family loves her very much and is helping to shape her into a fabulous, well-mannered dog (they taught her all those tricks in just 8 weeks??)
Congratulations, Rosco, on your wonderful new home!
For all the folks out there that think they can only bond with a puppy or young dog…..check out Rosco’s update! Rosco was a favorite at the shelter and we were all so thrilled when he was adopted. Click on his pictures for his mom’s full report, but she has this advice for adopters:
For what its worth, I would encourage anyone considering adopting to look at an older dog like Rosco. It was unbelievably to go through his "firsts" with him- the first time he wagged his tail when I came home from work, his first kiss, and the first time he hopped on to the bed during a thunderstorm.
Sounds like Rosco is doin’ just fine with his new mom. Thanks so much to all our adopters of the dogs that many consider ‘less adoptable’. Older dogs need love too! Hugs and belly rubs to Rosco!
Daisy….continuing her family’s tradition of adopting dogs from our shelter!!
It’s never too late to send in your success stories! Lovely Daisy was adopted in 2008 and her mom sent in a wonderful update. Click on her pictures for the full success story, but Daisy’s mom is proof that good things come to those who wait:
…..on our sixth trip to the shelter, I spotted this puppy with her brother. I had to do some major convincing of my husband to get him to even consider her. Of course now Daisy is spoiled rotten (by my husband, of course).
Daisy is a lucky girl and these updates are so great to read. And many thanks to Daisy’s mom for coming to the shelter on the first day we were open, to say hello! We are so appreciative of all the support we get from our adopters. Thank you!
Echo’s family says ‘Adopt an older pet like me’!
So it’s true….that old wives’ tale of ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is nothin’ but a lie! Well, not that Mr. Echo is old by any stretch of the imagination, but he’s a smart and clever little boy who was probably passed over by people coming in to adopt a dog, because of his age. His fabulous new family wanted people to know NOT to shy away from our older pets. Check out this great update:
Last March, my husband and I adopted our first dog together: Echo - a (roughly) 7 year old eskimo-chihuahua mix - from the PG County shelter (He was previously named Ace). He is a fun and intelligent bundle of energy, who loves us just as much as we love him! Though housebroken, he wasn't previously trained. We started classes recently, and now he knows sit, lie down, come, and is learning stay. He also taught himself a trick - to open the fridge door! He loves long walks, going to the park, and jumping all over us. He is still nervous about other dogs and hasn't learned his manners around strangers yet, but it's obvious that he's a fast learner and just needs some guidance. We didn't anticipate adopting an older dog, but Echo has the energy level of a dog half his age and is very healthy. Don't let age fool you!
Enclosed are some photos of Echo.
Thank you for bringing Echo into our lives!
Lauren & Matt
We agree, Lauren and Matt and we’re thrilled that you love Echo as much as he loves you. Thanks for opening your home to this active, happy little boy. Folks, age shouldn’t be the main factor you focus on when picking a pet! Look at temperament, exercise needs, activity level and consider breed health issues. (And no matter how much they beg me, I am NOT letting my dogs go over to Echo’s house so he can teach them the fridge trick!)
Syrus the handsome Siberian Husky!
Oh Syrus…..what a handsome boy!! It’s fabulous to get this update on this breathtaking Siberian! We all wish Syrus years and years and years of happiness and good health with his new family…..and thank his mom for sending in this great update on her noble boy…
We adopted Syrus in January of 2009. While the journey has been challenging, it is also most enjoyable. Syrus tested a weak positive for Lyme but after taking him to the vet after the adoption, Syrus was considered a picture of heath (minus an ear infection that's all cleared up). He is a wonderful dog that cleaned up nicely and he's always full of surprises. Syrus bonded very quickly to my daughter and I. He loves long walks in the park and we are working on his one shortcoming....other dogs!!!! He's getting much better with some dog socialization issues. I'm so glad he has come into our lives. He has filled a void in my life and I’m so glad we came to the shelter when we did. Thanks to the staff of the P.G County Shelter. Your work is much appreciated.
It’s so comforting to know that Syrus is in a home that loves him very, very much. And we thank Syrus’s mom for the kind words about our shelter. It was a pleasure having Syrus stay with us until he found YOU and his forever home. Hugs to Syrus (and all our adoptees!)
Livvy….one lucky girl!
There are some things you never get tired of…..breathtaking sunsets, singing along to your favorite song on the radio and hearing how much our adopters loves their shelter animal. Check out Livvy’s great success story.
Just wanted to share our great success story. After losing our 13 year old retriever to lymphoma in December, we went to the shelter in February and found Olivia (Livvy for short). As an energetic Australian shepherd she’s the perfect fit for our active family and has settled in beautifully. She is a great running companion and is wonderful with our 5 year old daughter as well as our 1 year old niece. She was even house broken to boot! Please see the pictures below. Thanks so much for such a great girl to share our home and lives!
Pam and Barry
Sometimes it just seems like certain dogs are meant to be with certain families. Livvy obviously found THE perfect family for her. If you’re on the fence about whether a shelter animal is right for you, I hope these touching stories will convince you to consider adopting a homeless (but always hopeful) pet! Many thanks to Pam and Barry for giving Livvy her dream home!
Georgie….the wonder-dog!
We LOVE hearing good news from our adopters and hearing about how remarkable their adopted shelter pets are doing. Read what Georgie’s mom had to say and tell me that this isn’t one amazing dog and one devoted mom?
Georgie’s hold time was up at the shelter and was scheduled to be put down when I saw her picture on Petfinder and called. I asked them to please wait until I could get there the next morning. When I saw her the next day, she was on “death row” with the pit bulls, sick and scared half to death. She had pneumonia, scabies, skin infections, bilateral ear infections, Lyme’s disease, hook worm, round worm, ring worm, five abscessed teeth, and a pus-filled cyst in her uterus. She was so sick, they sent her home with me without even spaying her and the vet gave her only a fair prognosis. Eight medications, 5 tooth extractions, and 5 months later she was finally well enough to get spayed. Georgie is a little fighter and just needed lots of love and a safe and healthy environment to get well. Today she is something of a neighborhood celebrity with her larger-than-life personality and distinctive howl, and she loves her big sister, Ellie, who I adopted later. She and her sissy sleep with mommy every night and they are my pride and joy!
Atta girl, Georgie and atta girl, mom Linda!! Many people wouldn’t even take a second look at a dog with so many issues. It takes a special person with a big heart to open their home to a pet with a multitude of medical issues. It’s sad that Georgie’s previous owner didn’t care for her…..but it’s a triumph for Georgie to pull through it all with her mom’s love and devotion. That’s a big victory for shelter animals everywhere. Congratulations, Georgie, on finding your perfect forever home. Many thanks, Linda….you’re an amazing mom and for that, we’re grateful.
MAXimum happiness and contentment!!
Day in and day out seeing so many homeless pet come through our doors, it’s the success stories like Max’s that pull the workers and volunteers through. Check out what Sara has to say about her little boy Max:
Dogs like Max are the best stories for people who are on the fence about adopting from a shelter. I almost didn't adopt him myself because he was becoming ill and he had a low growl towards the other dog in his cage. He seemed a bit cranky, but when we got outside, he didn't really want to run and play, he just wanted to sit with his chin on my knee and have me rub his head. I made 4 visits to him while I was waiting for the process to be complete. When I finally brought him home, it was like he had been waiting for it his whole life and he knew exactly where he was.
Since that first day, he has NEVER had an accident or destroyed anything in the house and he's had free run of the place. He was a very sick dog but we got his ears, eyes and lungs cleared up and now everyone thinks he's the cutest thing! If I am eating on the sofa, he won't come up until I'm finished. If I am engaged in cleaning or working, he finds his bone and occupies himself until I'm done and ready for cuddle time. Whoever gave him up was either very foolish or very desperate.
He is definitely my best friend and I love the cuddles that I get and the "conversations" that we have. He is a completely different dog than he appeared on that first day. I can't thank PGAMD enough for taking him and bringing us together. I'd love to send you a picture of Max with his new siblings (two bengal cats that are part of his "pack").
Anything I can do to get the word out, just let me know! Shelter pets are worth their weight in gold!
We agree, Sara!! Shelter pets ARE terrific! Why buy when you can adopt and save a life? We are thrilled that Max has brought you so much happiness and that YOU gave him the second chance he so deserves.
Great things come in small packages!!
Think a shelter dog isn’t for you? Read this great update we got from one of our adopters, with the subject line “Zoey is the BEST DOG EVER!!”
I recently adopted a rat terrier mix from your shelter. I decided to name her Zoey. I went to the shelter looking for a chihuahua, but when I saw her I knew she was it!! The first few nights at home were scary for her, but she soon broke out of her shell. Now all she does is run around and play ALL DAY. Sometimes, I cant keep up with her. She is a VERY good dog and she learns quick!! She loves all of her toys and she loves to run around outside. She is very good with other dogs, which is great. Here are some of her pics! Enjoy and thanks again!!
It’s great to see that Zoey settled in so quickly and that she is now lovin’ life (and her new home and family). May all our shelter animals get such great homes!
Good boy, Beauregard!!
Never underestimate the loyalty of a shelter dog…..read this update from one of our terrific adopters:
After almost 20 years of touring, teaching, and sound tech work, my husband and I decided to “settle down” and get a DOG! We had both had dogs while growing up, and enjoyed dog sitting for friends and family. We liked the unconditional love that dogs can bring, the companionship, the exercise, and we both felt strongly about adopting a dog from a shelter.
After work one day, I drove over to the PG County Animal Shelter, and was instantly drawn to a dog that resembled an underweight albino Muppet. His fur was patchy – revealing bright pink skin underneath, but he had intelligent eyes, a joyful spirit, and a sweet nature.
Adopting Beauregard was one of the best things we have ever done.
On August 17th, 2007, he woke me up from a nap by jumping on me and barking. He saved both of our lives that day from a fire that was rapidly consuming the back of the house. Those stories that you hear about dogs saving lives are true.
If you are thinking about adding a pet to your family, I urge you to visit your local animal shelter and to support The Humane Society and the SPCA.
The life you save could end up being your own.
P.S. Beauregard is now a healthy 72-pound mutt. We think he is a Spinone/Pit mix. He still looks like a Muppet.
Wow! We are so thankful that everyone is ok and that Beauregard reciprocated the favor of his adopters by saving their lives. Another wonderful update of how fantastic shelter pets are. The link to his mom’s page is here: http://kindlingarden.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/dogliness-is-next-to-godliness/
Annie found her forever home!
One of our featured pets found a home! We got this great update from her new family:
Hi! Just wanted to let you know that our family was adopted by one of your featured dogs A304095 a 5 year old female lab, now known as Annie. She's settled right in, loves her new toys and doggie beds and is very, very generous with her kisses. We love her and we're very glad she's here. Adopting an older dog was just the right fit for our family.
Happy New Year to everyone at the shelter and a big thank you for all the help and advice they offered.
Annie's Family - Elyse, Steve and Alex
We are thrilled that Annie was successful in adopting her new family! And it's great when an adult dog brings much joy to her family.....please don't think that a dog won't bond with you unless it's a puppy. Annie, at 5 yrs old, teaches us all that older dogs give lovin' too! Well, Annie's year is certainly off to a happy new start....please visit us today to make another dog's dream come true!!
Meet Seamus….our biggest success story to date!
We got a fabulous update on one of our largest shelter guests! Meet Seamus……
I have been meaning to write to you all, to thank you for bringing our English mastiff (now named Seamus) into our lives. My partner Jennifer and I adopted him in early September of this year. At the time we adopted him, he had tested positive for heart worm and had a bout of kennel cough. The nice lady that facilitated our adoption asked that we give you all an update as soon as he was feeling better, so here we
are!
Seamus is now a healthy and happy boy. He's even gained 25 (much-needed) lbs! He is the absolute p-e-r-f-e-c-t dog, without exaggeration. He was house trained from the moment we adopted him and hasn't had an accident inside the house (okay, he thought our Christmas garland was a bush and decided to mark it...but that doesn't count). We take him everywhere with us, from farmer's markets to election night parties, and he gets along with everyone. He is the favorite customer at our local pet store, and the owner knows him by name and takes him from us (to love on him, although we're pretty sure
she'd love to bring him home) while we shop. He is wonderful and gentle with children, and parents are constantly bringing their tots up to pet him while we're out on the town. He absolutely LOVES other dogs and we've have taken him out on lots of play dates. The enclosed picture is of him (in the middle) with his two best dog buddies, at our friend's farm. He runs around with them for hours and we all have a ball watching them. He also has taken to hiking with us. His first hike was along the rocky crags at Great Falls and he loved it! He also has taken quickly to being a "grand-dog" and is spoiled by both of our families (most of our Christmas gifts from family this year were for him!).
We thank you all so, so much for your part in connecting us with this great dog. As soon as Seamus is settled, we look forward to returning to your shelter to find him a brother or sister.
Best,
Burke and Jennifer (and Seamus!)
How awesome is this update?! If there’s still anyone out there that doubts shelter animals make good pets, Seamus would like to have a chat with you. Congratulations, Seamus, Burke and Jennifer for finding each other! We wish you years and years of happiness!
 
Jubilant Jack!!
You think you had a great holiday? I bet Jack will tell you his was better! He was a smart, handsome, sweet boy who ended up in a crowded shelter in December….and now he’s in a loving, forever home with an adoring mom, big brother and three kitties. Not too shabby! Jack’s mom found him through a Craigslist posting that one of our fabulous volunteers, Sharon, posted. Sometimes fate just has a way of putting all the pieces of the puzzle together and things fall into perfect place….Jack’s perfect place is a loving home in Virginia. Check out what Jack’s mom, Mindy, has to say:
I live in a rural area, about 40 miles west of DC in Virginia and was mainly looking in the county shelters around my town. The only reason I went to PG County is because of your many great posts. The first day I went, on December 5th, I saw this dog and was taken by his cute face. I didn't pay too much attention to him, but did put him down on my "list" of maybes, but when you posted this ad after I had already returned from the shelter, it reminded me of him once again and he was moved up to the top of my list. I went back the next week and he was still there, so I put in an application. Well, yesterday I brought "Jack" home and he's the perfect dog. We love him to pieces and he gets along great with my other dog (which he met at the shelter) and my three cats (well, he doesn't bother them, but they're still not too sure about him), he's already housebroken, knows his manners along with a few tricks. He now lives in the country with a huge fenced yard and a new dog brother, whom he adores. The only thing we're working on right now is trying to get him to realize his name is "Jack", which I know will take time.
Anyway, sorry to ramble on and on, but I just wanted to let you know that Jack and I truly appreciate you bringing us together. We're going to love him forever!
Please keep up the good work, and thank you so much for helping out all the dogs and cats in the PG County animal shelter and everywhere else!
Nothing makes us happier than celebrating the good fortune of our beautiful animals. Want to make a difference in an animal’s life, like Mindy made in Jack’s? Please come visit us and make more animals’ dreams come true!! You won’t regret it…..
 
Lucky Little Lola!
Check out Lola's pictures and update from her proud mom Jessica:
I adopted Lola in September 2008. She is such a great dog and has been the perfect friend for my other dog, Tippy, and addition to the family. She goes to dog day care twice a week and enjoys playing with other dogs. Everyone there loves her. Her favorite spot is on a pillow on the couch. She was a ballerina/princess for Halloween since she is very good at standing on her back legs and doing a dance (usually in hopes of getting food). I wanted to share some photos of her from these past months. Enjoy!
We are so excited that Lola found such a terrific home and has brought them much joy and happiness. It's always wonderful to hear from our adopters. Congratulations, Lola and enjoy your wonderful new life! You're an inspiration for shelter animals everywhere.....dreams do come true!
 
Kaiser…..from rags to riches
From cowering on a catch pole to confident Kaiser! Meet the dog we knew as Tiger. Brought into the shelter in late May with many other dogs, he was so very thin (about 66 lbs, way too thin for a dog his size) and not well-cared for. A guardian angel must have snuck in the door with Tiger because he came out of his shell in the shelter and he quickly became a staff and volunteer favorite. As his luck would have it, his mom was perusing Craigslist one day (looking for crafts) and found Tiger instead!! The rest, as they say, is history.
He was adopted from us on June 13th. At our adoption event on November 8th, Tiger (now known as Kaiser) and his mom, Kris, came by for a visit. WOW....it was hard to believe it was the same, skinny, timid boy. He's gained about 20 lbs and is obviously in love with his mom (you would be too, if she brought along some cooked chicken to show off how smart you were!) Kaiser knows sit and down and if you say 'tell me something', he does!! I just so happen to speak 'dog' so he told me 'I LOVE my new home and the workers at the shelter for keeping me safe and happy until mom Kris and dad Don found me'. Honestly....I'm not making that up, I really understood what he told me! When Kris sent in some beautiful photos of him, she had this to say Oh he is SUCH a blessing. I don’t think I have ever met a creature with such a big heart...and so much love to share!!
It is very obvious that Kaiser is in a wonderful, loving, forever home....with parents who adore him. We are all so thrilled at Kaiser's good fortune and are very grateful to Kris and Don for loving him so much! Kaiser shares his home with a beautiful German Shepherd sister named Bourbon and a cat named Buddy. Click on his photo below to go to his success story page. You won't believe what his mom caught him doing with Buddy....she got it on video, so he can't deny it! Um....he used to be AFRAID of cats. Amazing how a little love, patience and compassion can help you overcome your fears - huh? Welcome home, Kaiser. We all love you and are so happy for you!
 
Lucky little Phoebe…..a perfect success story
If you don’t think a senior shelter dog is for you, maybe Phoebe’s mom’s testimony can convince you otherwise. Little senior gal, Phoebe, was in our shelter in January and February, 2008, and was finally adopted into a tremendous home with a loving mom, dad and big sister, Tischa. Pheobe’s mom wrote me on the 6 month anniversary of adopting Phoebe and had this to say: I thought I’d give you the 6-month update on little Phoebe! I can’t believe we’ve had her 6 months – in some ways, it seems like we’ve had her forever because she’s such a member of the family now. She’s so happy, really enjoying life. She and Tischa (our other dog, who will be 15 in a couple weeks!) get along really well and seem to enjoy each other’s company. We take both dogs everywhere – including to a company picnic last Friday, and to an outdoor concert last night – and everyone remarks on how sweet they are and fusses over them. The girls LOOOOVE going to Grandma’s house, partly because she makes them mini meatloaves for their dinner when they visit. I think we’re really lucky to have found her – she’s so well behaved, sweet, and good with everyone. She’s the poster child for shelter dogs and second chances, I think!
Sounds like little Phoebe is living the good life…..if all our shelter animals find a home half as great as hers, they’d all have wonderful lives! Thank you to Phoebe’s mom for the terrific update!
WE ARE FULL!!! With the uncertain economic times, some folks aren’t able to afford their animals anymore. If you’re looking to bring an animal into your homes and lives, please consider saving a shelter animal before looking at breeders or (ugh) pet shops. PLEASE help our deserving animals get their second chance at a happy ending.
Shelter overcrowding wouldn't happen if
1. People SPAYED and NEUTERED their pets.
2. People would AVOID pet stores and backyard breeders who only care about making money off the animals and breed and breed and breed, with no regard for the health and happiness and appropriate placement of the animals.
3. Keep your pets for life. If you are having behavior problems with your animals, enlist the help of a trainer. Stop blaming the animal and ask YOURSELF what you can do to remedy the problem.
4. Support your local shelters and rescues. Donate supplies, your home (rescues ALWAYS need good foster homes) and your TIME.....shelter animals need your attention and a walk or a pat on the head or even a treat.
5. Please do all you can to make sure your aging, senior pet is well cared for until the end of their life.......shelters are so stressful for the animals ESPECIALLY the senior ones. Are you really sure you want to put your aging best friend through that trauma? Can't you make some sacrifices to keep them safe and comfortable in your home until it's their time to move on to the rainbow bridge? Be there for your animal when it's time to say goodbye.....your animal wouldn't abandon you in YOUR greatest moment of need.
The above written by a concerned volunteer and is not an official statement of the PGAMD
Can’t adopt or volunteer? You can help the animals by donating items from our WISH LIST! Thank you……
CAT SUPPLIES
Scrub brushes or Scrubbie sponges
Paint scrapers
Hundreds of 6 " paper plates (cheapest is perfect!)
DOG BEDS
Kuranda Beds, size small or medium only
GENERAL SUPPLIES
batteries (New) double AA and 9 volt
6" paper plates (cheap ones are perfect)
Benadryl
Cotton balls - size large
Isopropyl alcohol
3 ring binder notebooks
25' garden hose/spray w/ nozzles (quantity 4)
Latex gloves M, L, X (Costco has great prices on these!)
Latex glove holders (qty 12)
Disposable surgical gowns
Disposable litter pans
Litter pans, small and medium plastic
Double cat bowls, plastic
Laundry detergent, powder
Dawn liquid dishwashing liquid
Canned cat food
Canned dog food
Cat litter
Cordless clippers w/ blades
Blankets/towels, to keep the animals comfortable in their kennels
Please bring your used, clean blankets and towels to the shelter for our animals to sleep on and cuddle up with. The animals also appreciate toys and treats to help them pass the time, waiting for their forever home.
And possibly even more than blankets and toys, the animals need your TIME! Please consider volunteering with us to help exercise and entertain our beautiful animals. They need belly rubs and chin scratches and folks to throw them a ball and dangle a stuffed mouse for them. The animals will compensate you for your time with tail wags and purrs and kisses….. THANKS!!
SPAYING AND NEUTERING
PLEASE Folks....This is so important…..have your pets spayed and neutered. There are simply too many animals and not enough good homes. There are many organizations that offer low cost spay and neuters. Please click here for more information: Low Cost Spay and Neuter info
Aside from preventing unwanted litters, there are also many health benefits from spaying and neutering. And no - your pet does not get fat when altered - lack of exercise and poor diet does that!!
ADOPTING AN ANIMAL
We are looking for great families for our wonderful animals! If you are thinking of adopting, now is the time. If you visit us and don't find the right animal for your home, please ask the adoption staff about submitting an open application. It gets you approved to adopt without listing a particular animal. Then, when the right animal is available, the application processing time is greatly reduced, since you already completed it!
OK....so you've been looking and looking and are ready to adopt. PLEASE check out these fantastic and informative links by Petfinder:
Before you Adopt...
Don't just jump into adoption blindly - this is a lifetime commitment you're signing up to.....10 - 12 - 15 years or maybe more! Educate yourself and make sure you are ready for the joy and, yes, sometimes challenges of adding a pet to your family. Thank you....
THINKING OF SURRENDERING YOUR PET?
If you are thinking of surrendering your pet, please think of other options so that you can keep your pet or have a trusted family member or friend care for your pet until you are able to adequately care for it. Thank you. Shelters get full and are forced to, unfortunately, euthanize animals. And PLEASE have your pets spayed and neutered...there are just too many homeless animals…don’t bring anymore into the world.
If you are having problems with your pet and are considering bringing him or her to the shelter because you are at your wit's end, PLEASE visit this website first:
Can we help you keep your pet?
Here's another site you can check out: 
These two websites also have great video training tips on how to solve common behavior issues with cats and dogs.
The truth is.....the problem with overcrowding in shelters could be easily solved if your companion animals were spayed and neutered and if you kept your pets FOR LIFE! Include your pet in your family. Dogs and cats are social animals and need and want your attention! Give them plenty of physical AND mental exercise. Don't let them run loose outside where they can get lost or injured. Feed them a healthy diet. Take them to the vet annually for a check-up. Acknowledge them. Socialize them. Talk to them. Love them.
If more people followed these simple steps, we wouldn't have so many homeless animals in our shelter. Thank you.
RESCUE GROUPS
The Prince Georges County Animal Management Division is RESCUE-FRIENDLY! We are pleased to work with many rescue organizations. If you are a 501(c)(3) rescue and can help us get our dogs to safety, please call 301-499-8300 and ask to speak to the Rescue Coordinator. Thank you!
What is a rescue?
Often times you’ll see updates on our home page that an animal has “gone to rescue”. I just wanted to take a moment and explain what that means, for those unfamiliar with these wonderful entities. A rescue is a non-profit group of volunteers that work tirelessly to save cats and dogs (and other animals) from euthanasia at shelters. Some animals don’t receive any applications while they’re with us. Sometimes adoption applications are rejected or are withdrawn, leaving the animal with few options. This is when rescues typically rush in to help save the animals’ lives.
At the Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, our rescue partners are worth their weight in gold! We appreciate all their efforts and applaud their dedication and compassion. Rescues pull the animals from our shelter, get them spayed or neutered if the animal is intact, then foster them or kennel them. Rescuers heal the animals’ physical and emotional wounds. Many times animals haven’t been socialized properly or have been abused and they need to learn to trust again. Rescue volunteers and foster families, who often have their own full time jobs and families and pets to care for, spend countless hours working to help the animals in their care and to place them in suitable, loving, forever homes.
Below are just a few of our rescue partners. We’re not in competition with them – we work with them. Please…..if you don’t find the right pet for your family in our shelter, I encourage you to contact one of our fabulous rescue partners. They may have geographical limits, but it never hurts to send them a quick e-mail and inquire if you’re in their area. Many of the animals in rescues are in foster care so their foster parent can fill you in on their personalities, likes and dislikes, commands they know and bad habits that still need to be worked on.
If you’ve been a regular visitor to our website, I bet you’ll recognize many of our previous animals on these pages:
ALL-BREED RESCUES
Best DAWG Rescue
The Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW)
Second Hope Rescue
SPCA/HS of Prince George's County
Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
BREED RESCUES
German Shepherds
Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue (MAGSR)
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue (VGSR)
Siberian Huskies and Cats
Pet Harbor Rescue and Referral
CATS
Fancy Cats
And if you’re not even looking to adopt right now but still want to help homeless animals, you can always help in other ways. Our shelter can always use donations of blankets and treats and toys for the cats and dogs.
Our rescue partners are always in need of donations, volunteers and foster homes so that more animals can be saved. Please contact them to see if you can be of assistance.
Adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue and you’re saving two lives….the life of your new companion and the life of the next animal to fill that vacant kennel or foster home.
The animals are so grateful for all the unsung heroes out there who have a role in their happy endings….. Thank you for all of your support!
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND HELP SAVE A LIFE
We are always looking for animal-loving volunteers. Please click here for a Volunteer application
Even if you can spare 4 hours a month, you will have a positive impact an animals' lives! The cats need loving people to play with them and help socialize them. The dogs need daily walks and exercise. Even helping a dog to learn the simplest command of 'sit' will increase her chances at adoption. PLEASE contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 301-780-7220 to get more information. The animals are anxiously awaiting your arrival!
Who We Are
The Prince Georges County Animal Management Division is the county shelter. We accept stray animals and animals from citizens who can no longer adequately care for their pets.
Mission Statement::
To provide for the health and welfare of the County's animal population through enforcement of the Animal Control Ordinance, resolution of animal-related disputes, and the promotion of adoptions, licensing, spay/neuter and humane education.
Adopting a friend
Our staff will assist you in selecting the perfect pet for your household. We require that all members of your family, who will be living with the pet, come in and interact with the animal before making your final decision. If you already have a dog and would like to adopt another dog, we also require that you bring your current dog in to meet the one you want to adopt, for a dog to dog interaction. We want to make sure the dogs get along fine before you welcome the new one into your home!
Click to see our events!
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
PUPPIES, PUPPIES, PUPPIES…..
OK, folks….time for a heart to heart talk about those furry bundles of joy: puppies. Want to know how many times I hear ‘oh – he’s too old – I want a PUPPY’, when showing someone a one year old dog with a beautiful temperament? Yup….lots of times. What upsets me is that it seems like people think a puppy stays a puppy! A dog is only a puppy for a small fraction of its life. When people say ‘I only want a puppy’ I fear that once the dog reaches adulthood, it will find itself homeless.
Ever notice how many young dogs are in shelters across the country, on any given day? So, ask yourself – if everyone wants a puppy, why are there so many puppies in shelters? I’ll answer that for you! They are there because some people don’t understand the tremendous time it takes to raise a puppy properly so that it matures into a well-behaved, healthy, happy and well adjusted dog.
Of course puppies are adorable and fluffy and cuddly and oh so cute when they nip on your pants legs and jump up on little Suzy and play tug of war with its leash when you’re trying to walk it. But guess what – if you don’t know how to properly correct all those behaviors, you could have an 80 lb dog who thinks it’s ok to nip ankles, jump up on children knocking them down and is difficult to handle on leash.
I have seen many puppies adopted only to be returned in a couple months when, I guess, the cuteness wore off and the behavior issues got worse. If you are still convinced that you must have a puppy, please promise me that you’ll get it enrolled in puppy obedience classes. These are great because they give the socialization that EVERY puppy needs and it’ll teach YOU how to deal with common puppy behaviors, helping your dog on its way to become a valued and loved family member for his or her life. Thanks!
And one more thing….if you think you only want a puppy, take a couple minutes to meet some adult dogs just to compare. Notice how he’s calmer, isn’t nibbling at your fingers and already knows a couple commands? Guess what? He’s probably already housebroken too. And while he may not know the formal ‘heel’ command, he sure does walk well on leash, doesn’t he?
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