For Immediate Release: Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 

Home To Home Gives Pets a Smoother Transition into a New Home 

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) recently added a new interactive tool to help County families who need to rehome their pets.  Home To Home is a website for owners who need to surrender their pets, which can include dogs, cats and other animals. Those needing to rehome pets easily register and fill out a brief profile, upload a picture and information on their pet and hit submit. For those looking for a pet, there is a search feature. Home To Home is a free resource but users are not allowed to exchange money. Re-homing fees do not lead to better outcomes for pets, but good communication will. 

The website gives new owners the opportunity to communicate directly with the former owners, who can provide helpful information about the animals. Owners can also seek temporary housing for their pet with individuals who are available to open up their homes and hearts to provide short-term care until the pet can be reunited with its original family. 

"There has been a steady increase in owner surrenders over the past few years. We see the immense stress people are under when they need to surrender their pets to us. And as much as we like to think our shelter is a happy place, it isn’t a home and can be stressful for the animals,” said Maria Anselmo, community relations manager for the Montgomery County Office of Animal Services. "We’re hoping this tool can act as another resource for owners who can no longer keep their pets." 

Shelter staff will monitor the site to ensure that the rules are followed. Home To Home pet postings will be promoted on MCASAC's Facebook page to help generate interest. The animals are also listed on the shelter’s website under “Pets Available in the Community”. 

This tool will help shelters focus on animals with no other options, such as lost pets and those suffering from neglect or abuse. Home To Home will alleviate the need for some pets to be surrendered to the shelter. 

Home To Home is a national program that is used among shelters and rescue organization across the United States. Visit the Home To Home website at home-home.org. To learn about MCASAC, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices. MCASAC’s local Home To Home website is at home-home.org/shelter/mcasac. 

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Media Contact: Maria Anselmo 240-773-5972 or Maria.Anselmo@montgomerycountymd.gov