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
A323669, SAMSON, 7 year old male Golden Retriever mix
SAVE A SENIOR!! Meet Samson! Another volunteer favorite. This BIG boy (116 lb to be exact) is very gentle and sweet. He's 7 years old so past those difficult puppy and adolescent stages. He's listed as a Golden Retriever, but he has the shape and size as a Great Pyrenees too! Samson is a dream on the leash. He wanted to go for a long walk....twice around the building, so we obliged and walked at his pace, which was very comfortable. If you have a big heart with room for a big dog, please come in and meet Samson. You won't regret it!! November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet month......adoption and microchip fees are waived this month for all our pets 7 years of age and older. Thanks!
A124093, BUBBLES, 11 year old male Shih Tzu mix
SAVE A SENIOR!! Bubbles is an 11 year old Shih Tzu mix up for adoption at our shelter. He is just the cutest little dog!! He sure doesn't act his age as he is friskly and playful and very young at heart. He wanted to come with my to my truck to get a drink. While there, he wanted to run to a drive-thru for a burger and some fries, but I told him that management may frown upon that. He's just the cutest thing!! Wait....did I say that? He's got that “just woke up” look to his hair (told him I look like that too in the morning) and bright, inquisitive eyes and a spring in his step. He loves toys and treats and attention. He may be classified as a senior (and therefore is eligible for our Adopt-A-Senior-Pet promotion this month), but he's a puppy at heart! Check out his video....the link's above. Bubbles looks forward to meeting you soon!! Thanks!!
A257825, HINES, 7 year old male German Shepherd
SAVE A SENIOR!! You don’t have to be a Steelers’ fan to like Hines the GSD!! (Get it? Hines Ward? Superbowl Champions??) Hines the GSD is a 7 yr old owner surrender. Gorgeous boy. He is fabulous on leash. Seems ok with other dogs.....he was doing friendly 'let's's play' barks with a dog he saw outside two kennels down and he was ok sniffing the ones in their kennels as we walked back in. He was likely an outside dog since his fur was all clumpy and thick. I brushed him and he didn't fuss at all. He seemed to enjoy it. Did his business (a lot of it) outside so hopefully housebroken anyway. Sweet boy with a lot of love yet to give. Seemed a little achy when I asked him to sit but hopefully with good diet & exercise & the comforts of a warm, loving home he'll feel better and more limber. Love this boy!! Please visit www.pgamd.petfinder.com for more info on adopting. Thanks! Check out his video....the link's above. Hines is waiting to meet you!! Thanks!!
A306618, JAY, 1 year, 11 month old male Rottie/Lab mix
Meet Jay. He's a 1 yr old 11 month old Rottie/Lab mix. He's about 99-103 lb, depending on how much he was wiggling on the scale. He knows sit, loves treats, loves to drool and loves to sit on your lap & slobber you with kisses, as the video (link is above) proves. He pulls on the leash a little, but can also trot nicely by your side. Happy, friendly boy.....with a ginormous head and zest for life!!! If you’ve got a big heart and an active lifestyle, then you’ve gotta meet Jay! He’s another volunteer favorite. Thanks!!
A320429, BRIANNA, 5 year old female Boxer mix
Brianna is a fabulous big little girl and is looking for her forever home. She is strong on leash, but yet gentle when she's with you. She knows sit, takes treats like a lady and when she does put her paws up on you, it's so very gentle. Some dogs her size can knock you over, but not our lovely Brianna. She loves toys and doesn't even fuss when you take them from her. She seemed fine with male dogs, but is selective about her female friends. Check out her videos to see how playful and fun-loving she is....the links are above. Thanks!!
A321965, 10 month old male Akita/shepherd mix
Catch me quick cuz I’m fallin’ in love! This mid-sized bundle of love can be described in one word: cute, cute, cute. Well, sure that’s three words, but you get the picture. He’s so friendly and playful and waggy and happy. *CHECK OUT HIS VIDEO* He likes to play with squeaky toys or balls…he’s not fussy. And he loves to be pet….neck scratchies are his favorite. He’s super-friendly and when he wants to get your attention to play with him, he’ll bark at you. He was a joy to spend time with….whoever adopts him will be one very lucky person. Thanks for visiting our website!
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.
A309562, JJ, 11 month old neutered male American Bulldog mix
RESCUED!!! JJ is a bucket of energy….with maybe a barrel of energy thrown in too! He’s a young, active, friendly boy who wants three things in life: to play, to eat cookies and to be loved on by you! *CHECK OUT HIS VIDEO* He’s a nice boy who is certainly in need of some training and lots and lots of regular exercise! If your family is active and loves to be outside soaking up the fresh air and exercising, then JJ is for you! Please visit him today to meet him. Thanks.
A282387, KENZELLE, spayed female 2 year old American Foxhound/Pointer mix
KENZELLE has been ADOPTED!!! To the delight of many fans and admirers! Kenzelle wants to be the life of the party!! She's energetic, fun, loves to play fetch. Did we mention FUN! She's got an expressive face that says, with a slightly daring grin, "What are we going to do today!" Kenzelle has lived in a home and is likely already housebroken! She's also spayed and microchipped. Kenzelle's only preference is that she's the only dog in the household. She prefers to pick her friends herself and those are mostly smaller dogs. Given Kenzelle's energy, she needs an experienced owner that's going to give her structure and discipline to channel her intelligence into fun tricks and obedience training. She already knows several commands!
A320913, 5 year old male Chihuahua
RESCUED!!! How’d we end up with two 5 year old Chihuahua’s, you ask? I don’t know but I do know they’re both sweet and looking for a spot on your couch! This little guy, however, is heartworm positive, so he’ll need to be treated for that upon being adopted. Heartworms are transmitted via mosquitoes, so it’s very important to keep your dogs on preventative all year round! Back to this little boy…..yes, that is a redskins coat he’s wearing. *CHECK OUT HIS VIDEO* I told him he really should root for the reigning Super Bowl champs (Steelers), so he was going to look and see if he had a Steelers coat too. Can’t wait to see if he found it!! He likes going for short walks (because of his heartworm, we can’t go very far) and he loves chewy treats!! Rush in today to see if he’s the little one you’re looking for! Thank you.
A319824, AUTUMN, 1 year old female German Shepherd
RESCUED!!! Calm and easy going, I'll fit nicely into most any household. I'm not much of a jumper and just prefer to sit at your side. I already know "sit" and take treats gently. Ask for me, Sasha and I’ll be your devoted and loyal companion for years and years and years to come! For better or worse….that’s my motto!
A318440, RAYMOND, 5 year old male Chihuahua
RESCUED!!! Poor, sweet Raymond is so sad in the shelter. He was very enthusiastic to go outside on our walk, but once out there, he just cried and whined. He seemed very content sitting on my lap, but he was still whimpering. *CHECK OUT HIS VIDEO* Ray is a very sweet boy who would make a great addition to any home. Please visit him today to see if you can help get him out of the shelter and dry up his tears!! Thanks.
SUCCESS STORIES!
Want some happy endings? Check out these great updates from 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!
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
GIVE A DOG A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP!
Our dogs love to sleep on Kuranda Dog beds, but we don't have enough for everyone. If you would like to donate a bed at a special wholesale price for another dog to sleep in comfort, please click here.
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?
[Home] [Information] [Shelters] [Search] | 