Animal Shelter Full, 'Adopters Urgently Needed': Montgomery County

DERWOOD, MD — Montgomery County's animal shelter is full, and residents can adopt pets at no cost during the Home for the Holidays event for all animals Dec. 11-24.

Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is holding the event from Sunday, Dec. 11, through Saturday, Dec. 24. The “Home for the Holidays” adoption event is sponsored by Friends of Montgomery County Animals.

The shelter is full, and adopters are urgently needed, the county said in a news release. All types of animals are available for adoption including guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles, cats and dogs.

"For those considering adding a new pet to your family, now is the time. Adopting is easy, and even easier during the Home for the Holidays with no adoption fees," the agency said.

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Rd. in Derwood. The main phone number is 240-773-5900. The center is open six days a week (it is closed on Wednesdays).

The adoption process can be started online by filling out the adoption questionnaire and emailing in the required documents. Adopters may also choose to visit the Adoption Center during open hours to start the process in-person. The questionnaire, required documents and more information about the adoption process can be found at montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/howtoadopt.

New animals arrive at the shelter every day. Potential adopters are encouraged to view who is available for adoption online at montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption before visiting the facility.

Adoptions are done on first-come, first-served availability—by appointment. Walk-in appointments are subject to counselor availability. Adoptions are same-day and animals are not held for adopters, so they should be prepared to take an animal home at the time of their appointment.

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is operated by the Office of Animal Services, provides high standard sheltering and care to the homeless, abused and neglected animals. It is the county’s only open-admission, municipal shelter.

Animal Services Officers are available seven days a week to investigate complaints and respond to animal emergencies 24 hours a day. For more information, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices.