‘Big dog adopters, we need you’: Montgomery Co. shelter at ‘critical capacity’ finds homes for 11 dogs
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is urgently asking residents to adopt or foster dogs after the shelter exceeded its max capacity this week.
“Big dog adopters, we need you!” MCASA posted on its Facebook page on Friday.
Sunday, the shelter said 11 dogs found homes.
A spokesperson for the shelter told WTOP in an email that “seven dogs were adopted, with two additional pending adoptions (waiting on spay/neuter surgery). Six dogs went to foster homes (which helps with space in the shelter, but all of our foster dogs need adopters to reopen those foster homes — adopting from foster is just as important as from the shelter).
“We had a great day today with dogs getting adopted,” the shelter said.
The shelter hopes the momentum continues so that they can get down to 75 dogs in shelter.
“As of this moment, there are 79 dogs in shelter and 27 dogs in foster.”
Officials say the center in Maryland has taken in a surge of dogs in recent days, pushing the total number at the shelter to more than 100. During the past week alone, staff took in 29 dogs, filling every available kennel, according to a news release.
Shelter leaders say the situation has become critical, particularly for larger dogs, which historically take longer to find homes.
“We’ve never put out an urgent list or euthanized solely for space, but with what we’re facing now, that possibility is hanging over our heads,” Maria Anselmo, the shelter’s community relations manager, said in the release.
The shelter said dogs were arriving faster than staff and volunteers can safely place them with adopters or foster families.
Animal service workers say adopting, even temporarily, can help relieve pressure on the overcrowded facility.
“By opening up your heart and home — even just for a while — you’re saving a life,” reads a Facebook post by the shelter. “Give them a second chance at the happiness they deserve, while also freeing up a kennel for another dog in need.”
Although the shelter is closed on Wednesday, residents who are interested in adopting can visit the shelter at the following times:
- Monday and Tuesday: noon to 7 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday noon to 7 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
The shelter is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.
If you can’t adopt, the shelter says there are other ways to help, including fostering large dogs, donating pet food, sharing adoption posts on social media or helping reunite lost pets with their owners before they enter the shelter system.
More information about adoption and volunteer opportunities is available at the MCASA website.
WTOP’s Will Vitka contributed to this report.