Facility at Capacity, Seeking Community Assistance
The Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center in Upper Marlboro is calling on the community to adopt a dog. With overcapacity issues, the facility is urging residents to help find forever homes for the animals in their care.
- David Fisher, chief administrator for Animal Services Division for Prince George’s County, stated that the shelter has been running at 30-50% capacity for over a year.
- Most shelters across the region are also facing similar overcrowding issues, according to Fisher.
- The Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center is working to address the issue by implementing a critical/urgent list of dogs in need of adoption.
Fisher emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between intake and adoption. “It’s a numbers game,” he explains. “We’re running at around 220-230 dogs inside the facility, and we’re regularly over the 170 kennel capacity.”
When the shelter is at capacity, the group will place a list of dogs on a critical/urgent list. This list is intended to ensure transparency and facilitate adoption. However, the shelter acknowledges that not all rescue groups follow the same guidelines, and some may share or promote the list in ways that are not transparent.
| Shelter Capacity | Dogs Inside Facility | Kennel Capacity | Intake Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170 kennels | 220-230 dogs | 170 kennels | Higher intake rate due to inability to turn animals away |
The shelter has partnered with rescue organizations in the region to help spread the word about available dogs. One such example is Tommy Raneses, a resident of Delaware who drove to Prince George’s County to adopt a dog. Tommy Raneses, a D.C. native turned Delaware resident, shares his experience of adopting a dog from the Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center.
”
I got an email from a friend, and they just sent me one of those very upsetting emails that they’re super over capacity and they need people to pick up dogs. I think rescue is a big thing. It gives dogs a second chance, it’s kind of something that I always grew up with. And you know, everybody deserves a second chance. So why not?” Tommy Raneses
The shelter has reported a successful adoption rate, with over 600-700 animals adopted so far this year. However, they emphasize the need for continued community support. “We’ve done a pretty good job so far this year, getting close to 600 to 700 animals out through adoption, but we just need people to come in and continue to adopt from us,” Fisher said. For more information on the adoption process, visit the Prince George’s County Animal Services website.
The Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center is urging residents to visit their website for more information on the adoption process and to find their perfect furry companion. With the shelter at capacity, the community’s help is needed to ensure the well-being of the animals in their care.
