Over the past several days, the Humane Society of Carroll County (HSCC) has received questions, feedback, and concerns regarding a recent stray dog case. We understand why this situation has generated strong emotions. Losing a pet is heartbreaking, and we recognize the deep bond people share with their animals.
Like our community, our goal is always to reunite lost pets with their families whenever possible.
We also believe moments like this present an opportunity to provide information about how the stray process works, why those procedures exist, and the important role we all play in helping lost pets find their way home. We hope the information below provides greater clarity about our processes, our commitment to transparency, and the work we do every day to serve both animals and the people who love them.
Reuniting Pets Is Our Goal
One of the most rewarding parts of our work is reuniting lost pets with their families. Whenever possible, that is our preferred outcome.
HSCC has embraced progressive animal welfare practices that support reunification, including Return-to-Owner in the Field when appropriate. Whenever it is safe and feasible, our Animal Control Officers may reunite pets with their families without bringing them to the shelter. This approach reduces stress on pets, keeps families together, and preserves valuable shelter space for animals that truly need it.
When a stray animal enters our care, Carroll County Code establishes the minimum stray hold requirements to provide pet owners an opportunity to reclaim their pet. For dogs running at large, Carroll County Code requires a minimum five-day hold period. Carroll County Code does not establish a required stray hold period for cats.
HSCC exceeds these minimum requirements by holding stray dogs for seven days and stray cats for three days. Additionally, when circumstances indicate there is a reasonable possibility that an owner may come forward, HSCC has the ability to extend the stray hold period to provide additional time for reunification.
If an animal is not reclaimed during the applicable stray hold period, ownership transfers to HSCC pursuant to Carroll County Code. This allows us to begin making decisions in the animal’s best interest, whether through adoption into a loving home or placement with one of our trusted rescue partners.
We understand that every lost pet story is unique, and no policy can eliminate the heartbreak families experience when a pet goes missing. Our team approaches every situation with compassion while applying the same consistent process for every animal in our care. Consistent processes help ensure fairness while allowing us to continue helping the many animals who depend on us each year.
Why Animals Cannot Remain on Hold Indefinitely
Animal shelters must balance providing every reasonable opportunity for reunification with ensuring animals continue moving toward positive outcomes when reunification is no longer possible.
Because shelter space and resources are limited, adoption holds cannot remain in place indefinitely. Clear, consistent processes allow us to care for the many animals who rely on us while ensuring each animal has the opportunity to find a loving home.
The Best Way to Help a Lost Pet Get Home
The best way to increase the likelihood of a lost pet being reunited with their family is to take proactive steps before a pet ever goes missing.
- Report your lost pet immediately. Submit a Lost Pet Report through the HSCC website or contact our team as soon as you realize your pet is missing.
- Use available lost pet resources. Our website provides information about HSCC resources as well as national lost pet databases that use advanced technology, including AI-powered photo recognition, to compare lost pet photos with animals entering shelters across the country.
- Continue checking shelters and lost pet listings. While our team works diligently to help reunite animals with their families, pet owners play an essential role by continuing their search throughout the stray hold period.
- Keep pets wearing identification. A collar with a current ID tag is often the fastest way for a lost pet to return home.
- Microchip your pet and keep your information current. A microchip is one of the most valuable reunification tools available, but it is only effective when the information connected to it is accurate and up to date.
- License dogs as required by Carroll County Code. Licensing provides valuable information that can help Animal Control Officers and shelters identify pets and reconnect them with their families.
We frequently see animals enter our care without identification, with outdated contact information, or with microchips that have never been registered. These challenges can make it more difficult for our team to quickly identify an owner and reunite a pet with their family.
If your pet enters our care, HSCC’s website provides information about the reclaim process and the information that may be needed to help establish ownership. Our team understands that circumstances can vary, and we have worked with owners in many different situations, including those who live outside of the area, to help facilitate reunification when appropriate.
Transparency Matters
We understand that our community expects transparency, and we share that value.
HSCC’s Animal Control division is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA). Individuals seeking eligible Animal Control records may submit a written Public Information Act request. For convenience, HSCC provides a Public Information Act request form on our website, which is the preferred method for submitting requests and helps us process them as efficiently as possible.
At the same time, not every record can be released. Maryland law protects certain information from disclosure, and records relating to HSCC’s private nonprofit operations, including adoption records, adopter information, medical information, and other confidential records, are not public records in the same manner. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible while honoring both our legal obligations and the privacy of the people and animals we serve.
Working Together
Social media has become an invaluable tool for helping reunite lost pets with their families, and we encourage our community to continue sharing lost pets and supporting those searching for them. At the same time, information shared online is not always complete or accurate. We encourage community members to seek information from official sources whenever possible and to contact our team directly with questions about our processes.
Animal welfare is an ever-evolving field, and HSCC is committed to evolving with it. As part of our commitment to the community, we regularly review our policies, procedures, and practices to ensure we continue providing the highest level of care for the animals entrusted to us while serving our community with transparency, compassion, and integrity.
Every lost pet is important to someone, and every successful reunion begins with a community working together. Through identification, licensing, microchipping, prompt reporting, and informed, compassionate action, we can give more pets the opportunity to find their way back home.
We appreciate the compassion our community has for animals and remain committed to transparency, education, continual improvement, and providing the best possible care for every animal who comes through our doors.
Media Contact:
Jaime Limoges
Executive Director
Humane Society of Carroll County
(410) 848-4810 x811
jlimoges@carrollcountymd.gov
hscarroll.org
