DoE - Animal Chatter News; Shelter is Over Capacity; How to Keep Cats Cool in the Summer; Support Our Barn Cat Program

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Our Shelter is Over Capacity 

Adopt/Foster Now!

The Prince George's County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center (ASFAC) is CURRENTlY OVER CAPACITY, and there is an urgent need to find loving, FURever homes for its shelter pets, especially its larger and senior dogs.

Without your IMMEDIATE help, the heart-wrenching reality of finding alternative solutions for healthy, adoptable dogs becomes a possibility.

Our Animal Services Facility is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, Tuesday–Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (please arrive one hour before closing), and is ready to help you find and adopt.

For more information and to view adoptable pets, please visit www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com.

Over capacity

ASD Will Host a Pet Foster Open House

This Saturday, August 16, 2025

ASD is teaming up with the Pedigree Foundation for the #Foster50challenge  to increase pet fostering across the United States. We invite you to attend our Foster Open House Saturday, August 16th from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. to help us with our life-saving efforts.

Fostering is a life-saving shelter intervention for our pets as it:
  • Helps reduce length of stay at shelters and decreases the risk of adoption returns.
  • Eases capacity challenges thus opening space for incoming animals.
  • Provides animals with valuable in-home experience and attention giving us more information on an animal’s behavior to help find the best home for them.
To learn more about the Pedigree Foundation's Foster 50 Challenge please, visit 
foster open house 8-16

ASFAC Joins Maryland 3000 for Fees Waived Adoption Event

Adoption Fees Waived at Our Shelter Through August!

MD 3000

Prince George's County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center (ASFAC) is proud to join animal shelters across the state in the return of the "Maryland 3,000" adoption challenge, hosted by the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (BAWA).

For the entire month of August, adoption fees at our shelter and participating Maryland shelters will be waived to help thousands of animals find loving homes. 

Though adoption fees are waived, all regular adoption procedures still apply. ASFAC encourages interested adopters to visit www.princegeorgespets4us.com to learn more about the adoption process and what's included when bringing home a new pet.

The Maryland 3,000 challenge was first launched more than a decade ago and continues to grow in participation and impact. In 2024, Maryland shelters collectively surpassed the goal with 3,119 adoptions. This year, with even more shelters participating, the goal is to exceed that total and place even more animals into loving homes. 

For more information and a complete list of participating shelters, visit www.maryland3000.org


Clear the Shelter

Join Us For Clear the Shelters

through August 31st

The Prince George's County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center (ASFAC) has partnered with NBCUniversal NBC4's annual Clear the Shelters pet adoption and donation campaign, which runs from August 1 through August 31, along with an extended fundraising effort until September 15.

As part of the nationwide initiative, NBC and Telemundo stations partner with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to promote pet adoption and raise funds that support animal welfare. Since its start in 2015, Clear the Shelters has helped nearly 1.2 million pets find new homes and has raised over $5 million for participating shelters and rescues. 

For more details about Clear the Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues and information on local events, visit Clear The Shelters and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com

For more information, visit www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com.


Keeping Cats Cool in the Summer

Did you know that cats can also suffer from heat stroke and become overheated? Although cats handle the heat somewhat better than dogs, they lack a natural cooling system and therefore need to be in cool, well-ventilated areas. The most important tip is to keep your cat hydrated by encouraging them to drink lots of water. Here are some tips to help them stay cool:

  • Keep the water bowl away from their food (cats seem to drink less water when it is close to their food).
  • Experiment with different types of water bowls to see which one they prefer the most. Place a bowl with water in several of their favorite hangout places.
  • Cats love faucet water and rainwater, making them easy to please.
  • Whip up special cooling treats. For a list of four easy and refreshing recipes for your cat, visit Roverfrozen-cat-treats.
cat with a fan

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View All Of Our Adoptable Animals:

24petconnect.com/PGEOADOPT

Search Available Dogs

Search Available Cats

Search Small Animals & Other


Mocha and Siren Are Looking For a FURever Home

We have some amazing dogs waiting to meet their forever families! Whether you are looking for a gentle companion, a playful sidekick, or a seasoned cuddle buddy, we have someone special for you.

Meet Mocha!

Mocha (A560606) is 80 pounds of love who adores people and aspires to be your very own lap dog! She's leash perfect-no pulling, no darting, just constant check-ins and calm walks. She is treat-motivated, knows sit, and takes her snacks oh-so-gently.

Mocha (A560606) is great with other pups. She is a playgroup pro and a certified staff favorite! Mocha (A560606) is available to all adopters, and trust us- this gentle girl is genuinely one of a kind!

Visit our facility to see Mocha (A560606) and all our pets, ready for fostering or adoption, during our regular business hours. For more information, visit www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com. 

Mocha

Meet Siren!

Siren (A560254) is a one-year-old Shepherd Husky mix. If you like a long-legged dog, this guy is for you. He is easy on a leash, but is super nosy and needs to smell all the things that are so interesting. Siren (A560254) tends to pull, but not very hard, and would settle in after getting in some regular walks.

It was tough to win Siren (A560254) over with treats, but finally, we got him to give some eye contact after giving him some bully sticks. So, if you're trying to win your way to his heart, that's the way!

For more information about Siren (A560254) and other adoptable dogs, visit www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com.

Siren

Fosters NEEDED!

Help Kittens Find a Loving Home!

kittens

Summer brings sunshine and kittens! We are experiencing an overwhelming number of nursing moms and baby kittens, and we need your help.

If you have a heart for animals and a safe space to offer, fostering is a life-saving way to make a difference.

Provide love, warmth, and care until they're ready for adoption!

Email fosterpgcpets@co.pg.md.us for more information.


Support Our Barn Cat Program! 

Join Us For Our Donation Drive

August 26th –29th from 11a.m. -7 p.m.

Barn Cat

Join us for our Barn Cat Donation Drive, August 26th – 29th, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at our shelter, located at 3750 Brown Station Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.

Donations can be dropped off in the lobby!

Our shelter is working hard to provide more opportunities for unsocialized cats in our care to safely leave the shelter and thrive in environments where they can live independently, such as barns, farms, and warehouses.

Through our upcoming Barn Cat Program, these cats get a second chance at life while offering natural rodent control to their adopters.

Your donations will help adopters successfully transition these cats into their new homes by providing essential supplies and support.

We are accepting new or gently used:
 Large & XL dog crates
 Food and water bowls
 Litter pans
 Cat dens

Every item helps a cat find their perfect home, and gives them the fresh start they deserve. For more information, visit www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com.


pets for patriots

Did you know companion pets help veterans living with PTSD, depression, and anxiety? That’s why ASD is a proud partner of Pets for Patriots, connecting local veterans with loyal companions while giving shelter pets the forever homes they deserve.  Learn more, visit www.petsforpatriots.org.


Tuesday Tip!

Ticks

Consejo del martes

Ticks and Pets

Join Our Animal Rescue Team

Be a winner and join our Animal Rescue team. Animal Services Division (ASD) is seeking partners who can provide services to help alleviate overcrowding within our shelter and assist in finding pets loving homes. For more information, email rescuepgcpets@co.pg.md.us.

REscue Partners

Looking for Volunteers!

Upcoming Orientation: Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Our Animal Services Division (ASD) is looking for volunteers to help walk and socialize dogs, play with cats, assist with feeding animals, cleaning, office work, and other tasks. 

If you are 18 years old or older, and interested in helping with animals at the Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center (ASFAC), visit our website at www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com.

ASD has some exciting events coming up at the Bowie and Silver Spring PetSmart locations, and we need your help to reach our adoption goal of finding loving homes for 40 animals!

Let's make it happen! Meet YOUR new best friend and help us clear the shelter! 

If you plan to attend an orientation, please RSVP 48 hours before the session by sending an email to asdcommunityoutreach@co.pg.md.us.

volunteer orientation

Furry fotos banner

 Send Your Furry Foto!

If you have a "Furry Foto" you would like to be featured in Animal Chatter, please email a brief biography and a photo of your favorite pet to 

doecomms@pg.co.md.us


This Week's Furry Foto

Kross Found a Forever Home!

kross

Meet Kross!

Kross was adopted from the Prince George's County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center several years ago. He has found a loving home and is thriving and so happy.

If you are interested in adopting or fostering a pet and for more information, please visit www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com.


Celebrate August With Your Pets

Check out ASD's Calendar of Events

There are lots of ways to enjoy the lazy days of summer with your pets. Whether participating in a Volunteer Orientation or participating in Clear the Shelters, ASD has something in store for all pet lovers in August.

During August, we also celebrate the Pedigree Foundation Foster 50 Challenge, Clear the Shelters and the Rescue Effect. For more information about these events and other activities, visit www.princegeorgescountypets4us.com. 

Check out the calendar below to see all the fun August dates.

August ASD events

Pet Parenting Classes

Next Workshop Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 12 p.m.

Learn what it takes to be a responsible pet owner and a great family host to a four-legged friend for its lifetime. Topics such as time, cost, food, toys, medical, safety, social, and more will be covered with Q&A.

Classes will meet the first Saturday of each month at 12 p.m., throughout 2025! 

To secure attendance and register for this FREE class, please RSVP to ASDcommunityoutreach@co.pg.md.us.

DoE Pet parenting24 v2

Consider Donating a Kuranda Bed or Other Needed Items!

Due to our high volume of intakes, we are experiencing a shortage of Kuranda beds. We are asking our community to Show Some Love and donate a Kuranda bed. We are also looking for new bedding, towels, and toys for their enjoyment (cat toys, Kongs, Nylabones, frisbees).

As part of our enrichment programs, we are seeking shelter-approved toys that provide mental stimulation and keep animals entertained and occupied while they are at the shelter. Shelter-approved toys can help animals' true personalities shine through despite being stressed. For recommendations on donations, visit our enrichment item wishlist here.

Our kennel still needs donated items, such as new bedding, cleaning supplies, and foster items like scales or kitten milk. Please see the kennel supply wishlist here.

We are not currently accepting used bedding, pillows, stuffed animals, plush toys, or items with stuffing.

Check out shelterbeds.org/donate/22654 for more information on how to donate.

Kittens and Cats Continue to Pour Into ASD!

Kuranda Beds

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Prince George's County Animal Services

The Prince George's County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center hours of operation are: 

Tuesday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday - Monday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
                          (Open for all services except adoptions)
                            

In addition to the hours listed above, please note the following times for walk-throughs, pet interactions, and building access:

Last walk-through 1 hour before closing.

6:00 pm Tuesday-Friday

3:00 pm Saturday  

Last interaction 45 minutes before closing.

6:15 pm Tuesday-Friday

3:15 pm Saturday  

Last person in the building 15 minutes before closing.

6:45 pm Tuesday-Friday

3:45 pm Saturday

For an animal-related emergency, stray animalanimal bite, lost or found pet, carcass removal, deceased pet disposal, owner surrender appointments, and euthanasia appointments, please call our main line at 301-780-7200 and press "1" for customer service. Photos of found animals that are here in our facility can be viewed online at 24petconnect.com/PGEOLostMyPet.

If you find your lost pet on our website, please contact our customer service department for assistance with redeeming your pet. Be sure to check with public postings and back with the shelter periodically. 

For nuisance wildlife, call the MD Department of Natural Resources hotline at 877-463-6497.

Applications for adoption can be completed online or in person by appointment only. View available cats, dogs, and small animals for adoption, by visiting 24petconnect.com/PGEOADOPT. Please note the Animal I.D. #’s of animals you are interested in. For applications and more information, visit our website at bit.ly/pgcadoptapet or press "2" after calling our main number.

Animal licenses can be purchased online here. If you require further assistance, call our main line at 301-780-7200 and press "3" for licensing. 

To inquire about low-cost spay or neuter at the Spay Spot Clinic, located inside our facility, please call 301-254-8151.

To volunteer, foster a pet, or for humane education services, press "6" on our main line.

Anyone turning in an animal on closed days or after hours, please call 301-780-7200.


Animal Services Division Graphic Logo

Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center
3750 Brown Station Road
Upper Marlboro, MD  20772

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