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Animal Care

• Rabies Information - Maryland State Law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of 4 months be vaccinated against rabies.  However, kittens, puppies and ferrets may be vaccinated as early as three months of age.   Rabies can be prevented by keeping your animals current on vaccinations. Rabies clinics are held throughout the year by the Caroline County Health Department and by the Caroline County Humane Society.  For further information, call the Caroline County Health Department at 410-479-2322, or visit the Health Department Web site.

  A Rabies Fact Sheet is also available on the Caroline County Health Department site. 
  
  

• Dog Licenses - Caroline County Ordinance requires that all dogs over the age of four months be licensed.  In order to purchase a dog license, you must provide proof of current rabies vaccination.  You can purchase county dog licenses at the Caroline County Humane Society in Ridgely; at any of the county veterinary offices; at the Caroline County Courthouse, and at the Federalsburg and Preston Town Halls.  County licenses are also normally sold at the rabies clinics.
  
  

• Caroline County Animal Control Ordinance - Use this link to access the Caroline County Animal Control Ordinance. Enter "animal" when prompted to enter a search request and select Chapter 78: Animal Welfare and Control to view the ordinance.
  
  

• Disaster Preparedness - Planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your companion animals safe during a disaster. Follow these tips from the United Animal Nations Web site to reduce the risk to your companion animals during disasters. An extensive list of Disaster Preparedness Resources is available from the Humane Society of the United States.
  
  

• Winter Weather Tips - Helpful hints to ensure your pet gets through the colder months healthy and safe.
  
  

• Dog Care - One of our favorite sites that is just PACKED with helpful articles on dog care and behavior can be found at Robin’s Pet Tips.

  Filled to capacity!

  Need some help with housetraining and/or crate training your pooch?  These links from www.paw-rescue.org may help!

Obedience classes, training classes or puppy socialization classes are HIGHLY recommended!  
Owners involved with their dog's education build stronger relationships, improve the mental and physical well-being of their pet, and establish a foundation for a safe, rewarding, and happy life.

Need a qualified trainer?  A skilled and professional dog trainer employs humane training methods which are not harmful to the dog and/or handler. A competent instructor will allow and encourage you to observe a class prior to making the decision to enroll. You can find a list of trainers who are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) at their site. APDT is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education.

Information on helping dogs with separation anxiety is at www.kibblesnbits.com.

• Cat Care - Thinking of having your cat de-clawed?  Please think again and read this informative article on why you should NOT de-claw your cat. Also included in this article are alternatives to de-clawing. 

  Preventing litter box issues is the most important thing you can do to avoid your cat "thinking outside the box". However, if you're already having a hard time persuading your cat to use the litter box, using these helpful tips may help correct this behavior.  
  
  

• Renting with Pets - MOVING/CAN’T TAKE is the number one reason that we hear from owners giving up their pets.  Don’t let your dog or cat become one of the millions of homeless animals that end up in shelters. Try these tips on how to find animal friendly housing.

  If you find you still cannot take your dog or cat with you, read this information on how to SAFELY re-home your pet.