At CCHS, we strongly believe that all shelter animals deserve the best possible forever homes. We go to great lengths to ensure that happens. It is unimaginable what some animals have gone through to get to us. Some of the animals have been picked up as frightened strays wearing no collars, tags or other ID; some were rescued from a chained existence with no water, food or shelter to protect them from the elements. Some have been rescued from abusive or neglectful situations. We are also the recipients of “disposable” pets, the dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and hamsters whose owners “just don’t want them anymore.” 

Domesticated pets are companion animals that require love, attention, care and daily interaction with their human families. They are social animals. It’s not enough that they’re fed and given a place to sleep–if they’re penned outside all day, they don’t have that important chance to interact with their human family. If they’re allowed to run free, they’re in danger of being hit by a car and injured, or they become exposed to life-threatening risks an in-house pet never faces. Responsible pet owners know these things, use appropriate discretion, and safeguard their pets accordingly.

And that’s why we at CCHS are so thorough when adopting out our shelter animals. Like our counterparts across the country, we have an adoption policy. The best programs are those designed to ensure the animals are placed with a responsible person, one prepared for a lifelong commitment, so as to avoid the kinds of problems that may have caused the animals to be brought to our shelter in the first place.

An important part of this policy is to match the lifestyle and needs of the adopter with the individual cat or dog. Our pets are companion animals first and foremost–they are not barnyard mousers (unless it is a cat that has been placed in our BARN CAT program); they are not used exclusively for hunting or guarding. If the screening process occasionally seems overly strict, try to remember that the shelter’s first priority is to protect the animal’s best interests.

For the welfare of the shelter animals, we act as their protectors, to ensure that they next home for each of our “orphans” is one they’ll continue to enjoy throughout their lifetime. And even after you’ve already adopted a pet, we’re always available–to answer any pet-related questions, to help with behavioral problems, or to assist you in choosing a veterinarian or boarding kennel.

Our goal, simply, is to give all our animals that second chance for a happy, permanent forever home.

To read more about whether or not you are ready to adopt or to learn more about adopting adult dogs or cats, please visit our page with more information about adopting.

How to Adopt

The first step is to send us an Adoption Application. You may complete an online application for adopting a Dog, Cat, Barn Cat, or Small Animal. Or download and print a Cat Application, Dog Application, orSmall Animal Application which can be mailed, faxed (410-820-1110), or brought to our shelter. This process lets us learn about you and which animal may be the best candidate for your situation. Application review usually takes several days, which not only gives you a chance to think over your decision, but also enables us to verify the information you provided to us.

If you see an animal on our site that you wish to adopt, feel free to call 410-820-1600 or email us info@carolinehumane.org to be sure that this particular animal is still available. Visiting the shelter is also encouraged.

** Please note, during COVID-19, we are on an appointment only basis. Please call 410-820-1600 to schedule**

Our Program

• You must be 21 to adopt an animal from CCHS. We ask for photo ID to verify this, if necessary. This can be waived on a case by case basis.
• If you rent, please provide your landlord’s contact information.
• All members of the family or household must agree to the adoption.
• Adopting as a “gift” is a strongly discouraged! The exception would be, of course, a parent adopting for a child.
• Once approved, you will sign a legally binding contract providing for the lifetime welfare of the animal you are adopting.
• Depending on the dog or puppy or situation, we may require that you attend obedience classes with your new pet.
• If at any time for any reason you are no longer able to care for the animal you are adopting, you must agree to return him or her to CCHS.
• In certain situations, we will require a home visit prior to approving an application. If a CCHS volunteer cannot do this, we ask volunteers with organizations in your area to complete a home visit for us.

Adoption Fees:

• Dogs: $95 (plus $3 license fee for Caroline County residents only)
• Puppies 4 months and under: $150
• Cats and kittens: $50 per adoption event. (i.e. – if you adopt multiple cats at one time, the fee is still $50.)

Our adoption fee includes:

• All animals will be spayed or neutered PRIOR to adoption. Working with our vets, we are able to spay and neuter puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks in many cases.
• All animals will be up to date on all age appropriate vaccinations. This includes: DH(L)PP and bordetella for dogs/puppies; FVRCP for cats/kittens, rabies vaccination(depending on age).
• All animals are wormed with pyrantel or panacur, based on age or species
• All dogs and puppies over age 5 months are tested for heartworm, lyme and ehrlichia and started on heartworm preventative.
• If positive for lyme or ehrlichia, dogs/puppies are put on a three week course of appropriate antibiotics
• All cats and kittens are tested for feline leukemia and FIV
• Flea/tick treatment and preventative
• All animals are microchipped

Adopting a shelter animal is one of the most rewarding things you may ever experience. It takes patience, time and love. When you make an informed choice, you can feel confident (as can the pet you are adopting), that you have given the gift of hope.

For more information about our adoption process, please visit our Adopt page.