Cicadas, Kitten Saved, Pet Costumes: Best MD Animal Stories 2021

MARYLAND — When the pandemic began and people found themselves in their homes all day, many turned to the companionship of pets, old and new. More than a year later, Marylanders are still loving their cats, dogs, rabbits and more.

Some of the best pet news in Maryland in 2021 included stories of adoption, donations, a family reunited with a lost pet, and the story of one of the oldest cats in one Maryland county.

There are also some more unique animal stories, including zoo animals and the infamous cicadas.

New Additions

The Maryland Zoo saw some new members in 2021, including two rhinos and a sitatunga calf.

• Adorable Sitatunga Calf Born At The Maryland Zoo
• Two Southern White Rhinos Arrive At Maryland Zoo

Cicada Mania

If you were in Maryland this summer, you saw the cicadas. They sparked curiosity when they first started to arrive, and then some residents got creative. People sent in photos of cicadas in their yards and with pets and kids, and one local chocolatier even made cicada chocolates.

• Cicadas Emerge In Maryland
• Cicada Invasion Photos From Readers: Cute Kids, Pets Meet Bugs
• Cicada Counting Unites MD Family, Teaches Beauty Of Nature
• 'Cicada Mania': Chocolate-Covered Bugs The Craze In Gaithersburg
• Of Course, You Can Eat Cicadas

Adoptions
Some Maryland shelters reopened to the public for the first time this year and held adoption events to encourage interested new pet owners to take their new forever friend home.

Animal Shelter Reopening: No Appointment Required At MOCO Shelter

In Montgomery County, the shelter saw a big increase in the number of pets going home with new families when the public was allowed back into the shelter.

• A Ruff Year Turns Around At The Montgomery County Adoption Center
• 162 Cats Find Fur-ever Homes During MOCO Shelter Adoption Event

Annapolis Dog Calendar For Sale, Proceeds Benefit SPCA
In Annapolis, a calendar drive benefitted all of the pets helped by the SPCA.

Officer Saves Kitten Stuck In Prince George's Storm Drain: Police
In this Maryland town, a police officer saved a kitten that got stuck in a storm drain

Gone For 9 Months, Dog Found In Baltimore Reunited With CT Family
Another animal was saved after it went missing in Ocean City while his family was on vacation. The pooch was found nine months later in Baltimore, and was reunited with his owners, who live in Connecticut.

Happy Pets

Yappy Hour Is Back: Bethesda's Canines Return To Pop-Up Dog Parks
Dogs and their owners in one Maryland town were able to hang out together again, as a happy hour event in a local park returned.

Puppy Bowl XVII: Maryland Dogs Featured On Animal Planet Event
These pups got a thrill when they were chosen to participate in the famed Puppy Bowl.

Meet 1 Of Montgomery County's Oldest Cats: Owen Of Silver Spring

One of the oldest felines in all of Montgomery County celebrated his 21st birthday this year.

Pets In Costume
Maryland pet owners got their cats and dogs into costume for Christmas this year with pictures in front of the tree and with Santa.

• Holiday Pet Pics: Anne Arundel Pets Dress Up for Christmas
• Adorable Holiday Pet Pics From Across Prince George's County
• Adorable Holiday Pet Pics From Across Howard County