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Adopt a Pet/Animal

Thinking about getting a pet? Every year thousands of your neighbors are choosing to adopt from our shelter at Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control in Millersville. Visit us and see why. Wonderful pets of all types, breeds and ages are available – just waiting for your loving home.

Overview

Don't Shop... Adopt!

The adoption process isn't difficult, but there are certain steps we must take to help ensure successful placements and reduce the number of unwanted animals. Whether you’re looking for a cat, dog, rabbit, bird or other companion animal, we can help you find the perfect pet and discover just how rewarding adopting can be. For a successful match, it’s important to think about what kind of pet is most compatible with your lifestyle, home and family situation. You should also familiarize yourself with the Animal Care & Control laws that pertain to the pet of your choice. For example, Animal Care & Control adoption regulations require that all currently owned pets be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and animal licensing. If you are a renter, your landlord’s approval is needed.

Department Animal Care & Control
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How To Adopt

Take a look at the pets on our website, including both those under the “animals available for adoption” section and the “reclaim/rescue animals only” section underneath that. Many of the pets in the second section will become available once their stray hold periods are finished, so interested adopters should pre-screen and/or complete adoption paperwork before a pet’s hold period is over.

Pet Adoption Hours
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday  10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday  10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday  10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sunday and Monday  Closed

 
What you'll need to bring:

  • Driver’s License
  • Proof of Current Address (if not the same as your driver’s license)
  • Proof of current Rabies vaccination on all pets residing at residence
  • If you have a dog or dogs at home that you would like to introduce to a dog you are interested in adopting or if a dog you are interested in adopting requires a dog introduction with any dogs in a potential adopter's home you will need to schedule a meet-and-greet (a.k.a. dog introduction) with one of our team members.  We appreciate your flexibility and patience in scheduling these.  We want to make sure the team member assisting with your dog introduction is knowledgeable, experienced and comfortable.
  • For Anne Arundel County residents, all cats and dogs residing at the residence must have current animal licenses

If you own a home, you will need the following:

  • Mortgage Stub
  • Printed Copy of Property Information from Department of Assessment & Tax

If you rent a home or apartment, you will need the following:

  • Rental Agreement and/or Lease Agreement
  • Landlord's phone number
  • If you have a pet deposit your must provide proof this has been paid PRIOR to completing the adoption
Bringing Home Your New Dog Bringing a New Dog Home to Live With an Existing Dog Bringing Home Your New Cat Bringing a New Cat Home to Live With an Existing Cat Animal Laws During Severe Weather Rabies Information Brochure Public Safety Threat Animals Brochure Adoption Pre-Screen Form Pre – Selección para Adopción, Anne Arundel County Animal Care &Contro
Related Information
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Fees

Adoption Fees Include:

(Payable by cash, check or credit card)

  • Spay/Neuter Surgery
  • Distemper/Rabies Vaccinations
  • Worming
  • License (if applicable)
Dogs
Fee $17 includes 1 year license if applicable
Fee $20 includes 3 year license if applicable  

 

Cats
Fee $14 includes 1 year license if applicable  
Fee $17 includes 3 year license if applicable 
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Adoptable Pets

To view a current list of available animals, please visit our adoptable pets page.

 

Proud Partner of Pets for Patriots
 

Anne Arundel County Animal Control is partners with "Pets for Patriots" a nonprofit organization that creates unique opportunities for members of the military community to save a life by honorably adopting homeless adult dogs and cats.

Pets for Patriots

Heartworm Testing

If you would like Animal Care & Control to test the dog you’re planning to adopt, tell the receptionist.

For dogs being spayed/neutered prior to going home:

  • The heartworm test will be done at the time of surgery. If the test is positive, you will be phoned before you come to pick up the dog. If you decide NOT to take the dog after learning that the test was positive, you may get a refund OR apply the money to the adoption of another dog.

For dogs that have already been spayed/neutered and are otherwise ready to go home, you may:

  • Leave your dog at Animal Care & Control until the test has been performed or;
  • Take your dog home and make an appointment to bring him/her back for testing in a few days. If the test is positive, Animal Care & Control will phone you.  If you decide NOT to take the dog after learning that the test was positive, you may return the dog and get a refund OR apply the money to the adoption of another dog.

If you decide to keep a dog that tested positive for heartworm, you should consult with your private veterinarian about the disease and how it may affect your particular dog. You, not Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, are responsible for the cost of caring for your pet.

The fee for the heartworm test costs $40.00 - you may pay by cash, check or credit card only.

More information on canine heartworm testing

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