Adopt a Pet
<lst>Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW)
P.O. Box 1074
Greenbelt, MD 20768
301-572-4729
Dog Adoptions and Questions: dogs@paw-rescue.org
Cat Adoptions and Questions: cats@paw-rescue.org
Volunteer Coordinator Kathleen Krebs: krebs-paw@comcast.net
Partnership for Animal Welfare is an all-volunteer, non-profit group. To adopt or foster an animal, volunteer, or make a donation, contact by mail or phone, or visit www.paw-rescue.org.
<lst>Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS)
14645 Rothgeb Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
240-773-5960 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Viewing and adoption hours are Monday-Friday, from 1p.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Hours for leaving or reclaiming animals are Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Licenses for cats and dogs may be purchased Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
For 24-hour animal emergencies, call 240-773-5900.
<lst>Owners of any dog or cat over 4 months of age are required to have their pets licensed and vaccinated against rabies, even if the pet is kept indoors. Owners should retain proof of their pets' vaccinations.
Application forms for pet licenses are available at most local veterinarians' offices or at the county's licensing department, located within the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, 14645 Rothgeb Drive (off E. Gude Drive), Rockville, MD 20850.
If a pet has not been spayed or neutered and is more than one year old, residents must purchase a $25 per year license that runs through the expiration date of the animal's rabies vaccination certificate. After the first year of a rabies vaccine, the second and all additional rabies vaccines are good for three years. The license fee for a spayed or neutered pet is $12 for one year or $32 for three years.
Owners of newly born litters of puppies and kittens are required to take them to a veterinarian, as well as have them vaccinated, before selling or distributing the litter. It is illegal in Montgomery County to set up a stand in order to sell or give away animals.
For questions about licensing, call 240-773-5946.
A defecation law requires owners to clean up after their dogs on another person's property or public grounds.
Owners are also required to keep dogs on a leash. Laws vary according to public park rules and homeowners associations, so check with a local representative or park officer.
If a dog or cat is picked up as a stray, the owner is subject to a $25 field service fee, a $16 impound fee and a $10 per day boarding fee. The amounts of fees vary according to the circumstances in which an animal is picked up.
The Animal Shelter has dozens of dogs and cats that need a good home. For general information about the Humane Society regarding adoptions, or questions regarding pet problems, strays, nuisance complaints, lost pets, etc., call 240-773-5960 between 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Adoption hours are Monday-Friday from 1p.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday noon-5 p.m. For 24-hour animal emergencies, call 240-773-5900.
Many area veterinarians work with the Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) to provide low-cost examinations and spaying and neutering services.