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Questions
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Q: How do you get to Animal Control?
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A: Animal Control is conveniently located off I-97 at the Police and Fire Headquarters complex in Millersville. If you are traveling north bound on I-97, take exit 10A Benfield Blvd. If you are traveling south bound, take exit 10A Benfield Blvd Exit. At end of exit ramp, turn left onto Veterans Highway and go straight past Benfield Blvd.
From Veterans Highway, turn onto Maxwell Frye Road. Proceed past the Police Headquarters on your left and the Fire Department Headquarters on your right. The Animal Control Facility will be the next building on your right. If you reach the Fire Training Academy, you have gone too far.
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Q: What are your hours of operation?
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A: Administrative Offices and Licensing
Hours of Operation:
Administrative Hours
CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY
Tuesday through Saturday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pet Viewing and Pet Adoption *
CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY
Tuesday through Saturday - 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Pet Redemption
CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY
Tuesday through Saturday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* NOTE: Animal Control is CLOSED on SUNDAY & MONDAY
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Q: Why don’t you adopt out Pitbulls?
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A: As much as we at Animal Control work to make every animal eligible and available for adoption, some cannot be placed for a variety of reasons including poor temperament, illness and disease, behavioral problems, etc. The dilemma over whether or not to adopt out Pitbull dogs has been examined by most, if not all, shelters in recent years. Agencies, such as Animal Control, mandated to protect public safety, are especially obligated to evaluate and establish policy that addresses Pitbulls that enter Anne Arundel County Animal Control as adult strays. Of most concern to us is their unknown "history". The question becomes: has the dog been fought, has aggression been encouraged, is it free of disease and discomfort, has it been responsibly trained and socialized, etc. As we don't know the answers to these questions, we can only observe its behavior while in our care. Many of these animals have been fought and uncared for; the scars and old wounds make it evident. Many of these animals also display unpredictable bouts of aggression towards people and other animals, a behavior that is, in our opinion, not reversible. If any animal demonstrates behavior that raises questions concerning the safety risks it would pose to people and other animals, it would be irresponsible for the County to make that animal available for adoption.
The hard part is when we observe some Pitbull dogs that are lovable and sweet, without showing any aggressiveness at all. In these cases, we feel it is "humanely correct" that these animals be given a chance.
On a case-by-case basis, our Agency consults with reputable Pitbull rescue groups who are willing to work more closely with these particular dogs through their breed-specific program.
Our Agency feels good that it can be flexible as it works with rescue groups that can better determine what an apparently "good tempered" Pitbull's future should be. Unfortunately, due to the "unknown" public safety risks posed by stray Pitbull dogs, our policy to prohibit Pitbull adoption works in the best interest of public safety and should not be compromised.
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Q: How long do you keep the animals once they are picked up?
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A: Anne Arundel County Code requires that all stray animals be held 5 days unless they are extremely aggressive, seriously injured or suffering. This time period gives an owner time to locate his/her pet without the threat of it being adopted to another home or euthanized. The average length of stay for a stray animal at Anne Arundel County Animal Control is 9 days.
Every stray animal deemed adoptable is made available in the facility's Canine and Feline Gallery where they can be viewed by the public. Anyone interested in adopting a pet may complete an adoption application. The animal is deemed "adoptable" if it is not redeemed by the owner within the 5-day time frame.
Animal Control frequently receives under-aged puppies and kittens (those less than 8 weeks of age). Since state law prohibits the sale or adoption of any animal less than 8 weeks, Animal Control staff, with the help of foster volunteers, foster and care for these babies until able to be adopted.
In the event no one is interested in adopting a particular pet, Animal Control staff turns to rescue groups, law enforcement agencies, etc, in search of finding options for our pets. Currently, Animal Control works with more than 20 breed-specific rescue groups and has sought adoption to law enforcement agencies such as the Baltimore County Police Department, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Customs Service, etc.
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Q: How long can you keep a trap out?
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A: Humane animal traps are available at Animal Control to rent, free of charge, in one-week increments. We have three basic sizes: large dog traps which are delivered to the renter's residence, raccoon traps which are used to trap medium-sized animals such as raccoons, groundhogs, opossums and cats, and squirrel traps. Most people rent traps in order to remove nuisance animals from their property. Unfortunately, the Department of Natural Resources requires that once trapped, wildlife such as raccoons, groundhogs, skunks and foxes must be humanely destroyed as a mechanism for controlling rabies. Animal Control encourages citizens dealing with nuisance problems to consider seeking ways to co-exist with wildlife. There are several helpful tips Animal Control can suggest to help everyone co-exist with our furry, four-legged neighbors.
Citizens experiencing problems with animals that are aggressive or appear sick should contact Animal Control immediately for a field response by an Animal Control Officer and trap setting assistance.
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Q: How does the county license differ from the rabies tags?
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A: A rabies vaccination and county animal license are two ways to identify ownership and confirm the rabies vaccination status of every dog and cat. It is a State law that every dog and cat be currently vaccinated against rabies. Once a rabies vaccination is administered by a licensed veterinarian, a certificate with owner information and a description of the dog or cat is noted. The expiration date and a rabies tag number is also noted on the certificate.
The rabies tag should be affixed and remain at all times on the collar of the pet. The rabies certificate which proves proof of the vaccination, should be kept with important files.
The animal license, required for dogs and cats, can only be purchased with proof that the pet has a current rabies vaccination.
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Q: What animals have to be licensed in Anne Arundel County?
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A: All dogs and cats over the age of four (4) months must be licensed through Anne Arundel County. New residents moving into the County have thirty (30) days to license their dog or cat over the age of four (4) months.
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Q: Can I return an adopted animal to the Animal Control if it doesn’t work out?
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A: Yes. In fact, the Animal Control adoption contract requires an adopted animal to be returned to the agency if the adoption does not work out. Based on the reason for the return, the pet may be re-adopted.
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Q: Does animal control offer rabies shots?
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A: Animal Control is proud to provide the citizens and pets of Anne Arundel County with its weekly Low Cost Rabies Clinic held every Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Animal Control facility. The cost of each rabies vaccination is $5.00. Since the start of the clinic in April 1997, more than 10,000 dogs and cats have been vaccinated, and most importantly, protected against rabies.
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Q: Why can't you adopt dogs and cats from quarantine?
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A: Animals are placed in quarantine for one of three reasons: the animal has bitten or scratched a human being, the animal has been exposed to a wild animal that may be a rabies carrier or the animal is aggressive and has been placed in the quarantine section.
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Q: Do you have to have your pet spayed/neutered?
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A: County law does require that animals adopted from Anne Arundel County Animal Control be spayed/neutered. However, in an effort to control the overpopulation of pets and reduce the number of animals euthanized, spaying and neutering is always recommended for all pets.
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Q: Do you offer low-cost spay/neuter to the public?
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A: Not at the present time, but we are hoping to offer such a service one day soon. Animal Control believes that spaying and neutering is a vital step in reducing the overpopulation of pets in our county.
Reducing the overpopulation of pets reduces the number of animals that have to be humanely destroyed, a process called "euthanasia". Since animal shelters have the unfortunate task of destroying so many unwanted pets, the need to spay and neuter becomes obvious.
Spaying and neutering has many benefits. Please call your local veterinarian or Anne Arundel County Animal Control for more information.
A low-cost program that is affordable can help ensure that more animal lives will be saved. That's what animal shelters are all about.
Please spay/neuter today- It really is the only way.
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Q: What do you have to have to adopt an animal from Animal Control?
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A: Anne Arundel County Animal Control encourages everyone to adopt a pet from its facility. Prior to adopting or purchasing any pet, it is important to know that the type of pet you select should be compatible with one's lifestyle. In addition, it is important to be familiar with the animal control laws that pertain to the pet of your choice. A requirement for all Animal Control adoptions includes all currently owned pets being up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and animal licensing. Landlord approval is needed for tenants of rental properties.
Come visit our facility soon and let us help you select the right pet for you and your family. Animal Control has many wonderful pets available for adoption, waiting to go home with you.
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Q: What do you have to have to redeem a pet that was picked up or dropped off?
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A: There is a redemption process involving all impounded pets. The first thing we want owners to understand is that if their pet has been picked up by Animal Control, it is now safe and cannot fall victim to automobile injuries, poisoning, animal attacks, rabies exposure, exposure to inclement weather conditions, fear and many other hazards experienced when at-large.
Your pet will be placed out in the kennel for five (5) working days. This is when you need to come to Animal Control and look for your missing/lost pet. If your pet is not at Animal Control, you can fill out a lost/found card and/or place a picture up in the kennel in hopes that your pet will be recognized and turned over if found or located.
If you are able to locate your pet at Animal Control, you will then need to have proof of ownership. This can be rabies certificate (preferred), photo ID, or vet records.
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Q: Can dogs be left outside without food and water?
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A: No. In accordance with Article 12 Title 8-101 of the Anne Arundel County Code, dogs confined or tied outdoors must be provided by the owner:
(a) a shelter to protect the dog from the wind, snow, rain, cold, and sunlight;
(b) The shelter and surrounding areas shall be kept clean and sanitary;
(c) If a chain, rope, or line is used to tie a dog, the chain, rope, or line shall be: of sufficient length to allow the dog to exercise; at least 10 feet long; and affixed so that the dog will not be endangered.
Failure to provide proper drink, air, space, shelter, or protection from the elements, veterinary care, or nutritious food in sufficient quantity is considered animal cruelty.
While leaving a dog tethered outside is not illegal, it is not a practice recommended by Animal Control, especially when it becomes a dog's permanent way of life, thus restricting human interaction and quality care. Outside tethering, if it must be practiced, is recommended for short periods of time.
Fresh water must be at every animal’s disposal at all times. While food does not have to be supplied before an animal at all times, there must be evidence, through the healthy appearance of an animal that it is being fed nutritious food in sufficient quantity.
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Q: Can a dog(s) be allowed to bark all night?
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A: No, a dog(s) may not be permitted to bark all night. In fact, Article 12 Title 9-105. states that a person who owns, keeps, or has possession of an animal may not permit the animal to disturb the quiet of a person or the neighborhood.
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Q: What is the Animal Control procedure concerning bite reports?
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A: Animal Control handles approximately 1,300 bite reports each year; it has a fairly extensive protocol for handling these cases. Each day Animal Control Bite Officers retrieve bite reports from Police Communications. IT IS A STATE LAW REQUIREMENT THAT ANY ANIMAL BITE THAT BREAKS THE SKIN OF A HUMAN BE REPORTED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Once the bite report is received, an investigation is initiated, usually within 24 hours. The bite officer makes contact with the animal owner and verifies the animal rabies certificate status. The animal is immediately placed under a 10-day quarantine. The animal may be quarantined at Animal Control.
The bite officer will contact the victim and any witnesses to the incident, usually within the same 24-hour period. A statement from the victim will be requested and details about their injury will be documented and photographs will be taken. Witnesses will be contacted for statements.
If it is determined that the animal is not a public safety threat, the animal will be released from quarantine after a simple health check is performed by the Agency or a veterinary office, usually on the 11th day.
If the animal poses a public safety threat, a warning letter, or a dangerous or potentially dangerous order, may be imposed. The animal may or may not be held during that time.
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Q: Why doesn’t Animal Control respond to calls concerning "at-large" strays after hours?
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A: Animal Control currently has a total of 11 Animal Control Officers who must provide field service coverage on an 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. day shift, 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. evening shift, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday weekend shift and 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. “after hours” emergency standby shift, 7 days/week throughout the County.
Due to the small number of officers that must provide ample coverage on each shift each day, not to mention that the number of officers declines due to vacations, injury, illness, special assignments, etc., each officer routinely experiences working a late shift, followed by after hours standby duty. If this coverage required working a full shift, their work hours would be excessive and risk safety to the employee.
As a compromise, the after hours emergency coverage must be restricted to responding to certain calls. Non-emergency calls and at large stray dogs do not fall in that category. If the officers began responding to such calls, they would be responding to the same level and same possible number of calls as are handled on a regular shift. Management, in working to safeguard the welfare of its employees as well as meet the service needs of our communities, had to make a hard decision. Unfortunately, the decision was made to limit the types of calls handled after hours.
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Q: Can citizens drop off stray animals at Police Headquarters or district stations?
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A: No. Citizens cannot drop stray animals off at Police Headquarters or district stations as they do not have the appropriate facilities.
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Q: What should citizens do if they see livestock in the roadway?
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A: Livestock in the roadway is considered a hazard and must be reported to the Police Department and Animal Control immediately. If the livestock are moving it is always helpful if they are carefully followed until Police and Animal Control can secure them. Any information regarding ownership of the animals should be provided to Police and Animal Control as soon as possible.
Animal Control works with local livestock haulers to carefully have these animals secured and transported to farms until the owners are identified.
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Q: What is the difference between a “confined” and “contained” animal?
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A: There is no difference according to Animal Control.
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