The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is urgently asking residents to adopt or foster dogs after the shelter exceeded its max capacity this week.
“Big dog adopters, we need you!” MCASA posted on its Facebook page on Friday.
On Sunday, 11 dogs found homes, according to shelter spokesperson Maria Anselmo, who said seven dogs were adopted Saturday as another six were placed in foster homes.
Two other dogs are also pending adoptions as they await spay and neuter surgery.
“We had a great day today with dogs getting adopted,” Anselmo told WTOP. “As of this moment, there are 79 dogs in shelter and 27 dogs in foster.”
The shelter hopes the momentum continues so they can get down to 75 dogs in the shelter.
Officials previously said the center in Derwood, Maryland, had taken in a surge of dogs in recent days, pushing the total number of pets at the shelter to more than 100. During the past week alone, staff took in 29 dogs, filling every available kennel, according to a news release.
The situation put the shelter in a “critical” status, particularly for larger dogs, which historically take longer to find homes.
“We’ve never put out an urgent list or euthanized solely for space, but with what we’re facing now, that possibility is hanging over our heads,” Anselmo had said in the shelter’s first call to the community for help.
The shelter said dogs were arriving faster than staff and volunteers could safely place them with adopters or foster families.
Animal service workers say adopting, even temporarily, can help relieve pressure on the overcrowded facility.
“By opening up your heart and home — even just for a while — you’re saving a life,” read a Facebook post by the shelter. “Give them a second chance at the happiness they deserve, while also freeing up a kennel for another dog in need.”
Although the shelter is closed on Wednesday, residents who are interested in adopting can visit the shelter at the following times:
- Monday and Tuesday: noon to 7 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday noon to 7 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
The shelter is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road.
If you can’t adopt, the shelter says there are other ways to help, including fostering large dogs, donating pet food, sharing adoption posts on social media or helping reunite lost pets with their owners before they enter the shelter system.
More information about adoption and volunteer opportunities is available at the MCASA website.
WTOP’s Will Vitka contributed to this report.
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