About

About The Humane Society of Carroll County

The Humane Society of Carroll County (HSCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to a lifesaving mission through sheltering, adoption, population control, and humane education. Founded in 1945 by a group of concerned citizens, HSCC has served the Carroll County community for nearly 80 years.

In 1977, the Carroll County Commissioners formally tasked HSCC with enforcing domestic animal laws, issuing dog licenses, sheltering animals, and overseeing animal control operations. Our partnership with Carroll County continues today, providing vital funding and support for animal control services that protect pets and people throughout the community.

Across the nation, animal welfare has undergone a dramatic transformation. According to Best Friends Animal Society, shelters in the United States have made significant progress toward the no-kill philosophy, with millions more pets being saved each year compared to decades past. HSCC has embraced this lifesaving shift for more than a decade. While our facility was originally built during a time when high-volume euthanasia was the norm, today we are using that same space to save the lives of more than 3,000 animals each year—far beyond the building’s intended capacity.

We could not achieve this without the support of our community. Every life saved is made possible through our network of volunteer fosters, adopters, donors, and the generosity of partners such as PetSmart stores. Together, we are rewriting the story for animals in Carroll County and building a more compassionate, no-kill future.

Our Mission & Historical Highlights

The Humane Society of Carroll County dedication is a compassionate treatment of animals through: Adoption, Population Control, Education and Protection. Grounded in the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, we are committed to building a no-kill future.

Humane Society of Carroll County founded in 1945

The organization was formed by a group of concerned citizens and has been advocating for animal welfare for nearly 80 years.

In 1977, the County directed the Humane Society to enforce domestic animal laws, sell dog licenses, and shelter animals.

Today, the Humane Society of Carroll County maintains a contract with Carroll County to provide Animal Control services. While Carroll County provides partial funding for these services, a minimum of 1 million dollars per year must be raised by HSCC to fund the medical care, food, enrichment and adoption pathway services for the care of homeless animals.

1981 - New County Animal Shelter Opens at Current Location

The current location of the Humane Society of Carroll County opened it's doors, expanding the shelter's capability to care for animals. The facility was staffed by six employees. Built by Carroll County on a former landfill, the building's blueprints identify it was a facility built with euthanasia processes as a priority, a stark contrast to the lifesaving mission of the organization today.

2014 – Adoption Trailer Launches & Offsite Outreach Expands

In 2014, HSCC received its adoption trailer, allowing the shelter to expand offsite adoption events throughout the community. The trailer traveled to a variety of weekend events, helping more animals find homes and increasing public engagement. While online marketing has changed the dynamics of reaching potential adopters, HSCC continues to participate in more than 30 community events each year, keeping pets visible and adoption opportunities plentiful.

2015 - HSCC Board & Leadership Commit to a no-kill future.

Polices and procedures were introduced to re-align operations to match the national movement to focus on live outcomes for homeless animals. This movement included the introduction of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) practices, owner-retention counseling, diversion programs (help with rehoming, temporary boarding or transport), mass spay & neuter, introduction of foster networks, return to owner and microchip emphasis, data tracking and transparency, regional transports and rescue partnerships, and community outreach & pre-retention services.

2015 – HSCC Launches Full PetSmart Partnership

HSCC became a full partner with PetSmart at the Westminster store, starting with adoption events and soon gaining dedicated in-store space. Today, the program has grown to 10 active stores and 13 partnerships, resulting in over 2,500 pets adopted each year. Since the program’s inception, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $600,000 in support, funding lifesaving medical care, enrichment, and foster support.

2016 – HSCC Launches Foster Program

Under the leadership of Karen Baker, who would later serve as Executive Director until 2025, HSCC officially launched its foster program. In its first year, the program had roughly 25 foster homes and has grown to over 100 active foster families each month. Fosters provide temporary homes for animals to recover, socialize, and thrive while helping the shelter expand its capacity and increase adoption rates.

2020 – Pet Pantry Program Launches

In response to increased community need during the pandemic, HSCC launched the Pet Pantry program to provide free pet food and supplies to families in need. A Sharing Shed, generously donated by Ken and Louie Mays, houses donations that are 100% contributed by the community. Anyone in need is encouraged to visit the shelter during business hours for assistance.

2023 – Animal Control Introduces Field Return‑to‑Owner Protocol

HSCC’s Animal Control division implemented a new return‑to‑owner protocol that allows officers to reunite lost pets with their families directly in the field whenever possible. This change reduces the amount of time animals spend in the shelter, decreases stress on pets and families, and speeds up successful reunifications. Return‑to‑owner efforts align with guidance from national animal welfare organizations, which recognize field returns as an important practice for improving outcomes for lost pets and reducing shelter intake.

January 2025 – Surgical Suite Opens

HSCC opened its in-house surgical suite, enabling spay and neuter procedures to be performed on-site. This allows animals to move more quickly into adoptive homes, increases the shelter’s capacity to save lives, and strengthens the organization’s ability to manage the population humanely.

May 2025 – Full-time Veterinarian Joins HSCC

A full-time veterinarian was hired to perform spay and neuter surgeries for both shelter pets and animals from the community. With her addition, HSCC began offering low-cost spay and neuter services to local pet owners, helping reduce pet overpopulation and improve animal welfare.

2026 – HSCC Legacy Society Established

On January 1, 2026, HSCC launched the Legacy Society to honor those who ensure a lasting future for animals in need. The Society recognizes individuals who include HSCC in their estate plans or final wishes, as well as volunteers, advocates, and professionals who help raise awareness about planned giving. These efforts help sustain care, protection, and hope for animals for generations to come.

2026 — No-Kill Accreditation Achieved

In 2026, the Humane Society of Carroll County was designated a no-kill shelter by Best Friends Animal Society based on its 2025 operational statistics. This recognition reflects achieving and sustaining a save rate of 90% or higher, meeting nationally recognized benchmarks for lifesaving, responsible sheltering, and positive outcomes for animals. The designation acknowledges the organization’s commitment to treating every animal as an individual, prioritizing adoption, transfer, and return-to-owner efforts, and using euthanasia only as a last resort for animals with untreatable suffering or severe behavioral concerns.