SPCA Frequently Asked Questions
- What does SPCA stand for?
- Are you part of the ASPCA?
- What's the difference between the SPCA and other animal groups, like "the pound?"
- Are you a "no-kill" adoption center?
- How long do you keep the animals at your adoption center?
- I need to put my pet up for adoption. Can I bring it to you?
- Do you take rabbits or reptiles?
- I lost my pet. Where are you located and when are you open?
- There are stray pets in my neighborhood. Can you come pick them up?
- What is your stance on feral cats?
- I think someone is abusing/neglecting their pet. Can you help?
- I need to have my pet put to sleep. What can I do?
- I'm having difficulties with my pet. Can you help me?
- Do you board animals?
- Does the SPCA provide free or low-cost veterinary care?
What does SPCA stand for?
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There are many
organizations with SPCA as part of their names, but they are not affiliated
organizations, and there is no national SPCA. SPCA is now a common name used to
describe animal adoption centers.
Are you part of the ASPCA?
No. The ASPCA is New York City’s animal welfare organization. Although they do give advice to shelters and make grants to some shelters, they are not The Maryland SPCA’s parent organization, and they do not provide us with any operating money.
What's the difference between
the SPCA and other animal groups, like "the pound?"
We are a private, non-profit organization, not a municipal or government agency.
The SPCA does not receive any tax support for any of its services, so we depend
upon donations and adoption fees to operate.
Are you a
"no-kill" adoption center?
The Maryland SPCA does not euthanize any healthy animals. Some animals, sadly, are unable to be safely adopted— those with serious behavior or medical problems.
The Maryland SPCA saves lives community-wide by:
- Providing high-volume spay and neuter services in the community—over 9,000 surgeries in 2008!
- Adopting pets into loving, new homes—over 3,000 adoptions in 2008!
- Taking pets in from other shelters—over 1,000 animals transported in from the BARCS city shelter last year!
- Counseling owners on how to find a home for their pet instead of leaving them at any shelter—over 2,500 clients served last year!
- Providing foster care to special-needs animals such as baby kittens—over 400 fosters saved in 2008!
- Provide training and advice to owners to keep pets in their homes—over 500 people and pets utilized our behavior programs last year!
How long do you keep the animals at your adoption center?
There is no set time limit for how long an animal can remain in our adoption center. As long as an animal maintains general good health and a sound temperament, we'll keep a pet until it is adopted.
I need to put my pet up for adoption.
Can I bring it to you?
Before bringing your pet to any adoption center, please try other sources, such as friends
and family members who may be able to care for your pet. We've created a Re-Homing section to give you information and tools to help you find a new home for your pet.
If you are unable to find someone to take care of your pet, you can call The Maryland SPCA at 410-235-8826, ext. 100, and make an appointment to bring us your pet. Your pet will be evaluated before it can be placed up for adoption. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that your pet will qualify for our adoption program. If your pet does not meet our requirements, we can talk to you about other options.
There is a $25 fee per animal or litter to help us cover the cost of caring for the animals. We receive no funding from the government or national animal groups to pay for their care.
Do you take rabbits or reptiles?
We are only equipped to care for and adopt out dogs and cats. If you have another type of animal you need to re-home, you can post the animal on our website or you can try rescue groups that specialize in the type of pet you have. Here is a good listing of pet rescues. You can also post these pets on Petfinder.com.
I lost my pet. Where are you located
and when are you open?
We're happy to help reunite you with your pet! Check out our Lost & Found page to find out all you need to know.
There are stray pets in my
neighborhood. Can you come pick them up?
No. The SPCA is unable to come out and pick up stray animals; however, we can
offer you some suggestions. If there is a stray dog or cat in your
neighborhood, you can try to locate the owner by contacting your local Animal Control. Baltimore City Animal Control
can be reached by calling 311. Baltimore County Animal Control can be reached
by calling 410-887-5961.
What is your stance on feral cats?
The Maryland SPCA believes that feral cats can survive outside with a little human support and compassion. We do not accept feral cats at our shelter for euthanasia. We promote and support the work of feral cat caretakers by offering low-cost spay/neuter and by coordinating Trap, Neuter, Return clinics. Learn more about our spay/neuter program for feral cats and Trap, Neuter, Return by visiting our Feral-Fix page. For more information about feral and outdoor cats, read our outdoor cats brochure.
I think someone is abusing/neglecting their pet. Can you help?
The Maryland SPCA does not investigate animal neglect or cruelty. Contact your local Animal Control about your concerns. Baltimore-Area Animal Control agencies are listed here.
I need to have my pet put to sleep. What can I do?
The Maryland SPCA provides humane euthanasia for pets. For this service, there is a $35 fee for cats and a $45 fee for dogs. If you would like the cremains returned, you can request a private cremation. Click here for a list of fees for this service. Owners cannot be present during euthanasia.
I'm having difficulties with my pet. Can you help me?
Yes. You can visit our behavior section (dogs or cats) to help answer your pet questions.
Do you board animals?
No, the
SPCA is not a boarding facility. We shelter and care for needy animals who are
looking for new homes.
Does the SPCA provide free or low-cost veterinary care?
We offer low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to owners of pit bulls and larger-breed dogs and to low-income cat owners. In April of 2009, we began holding Animal Wellness Days every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Animal Wellness Days offer low-cost
basic exams, vaccinations (core vaccines), routine tests (heartworm, FeLV/FIV), deworming, flea treatment, anal gland expressing, nail trimming and ear cleaning. There are no income restrictions. For more information, go to our Pet Health page, e-mail wellnessclinic@mdspca.org or call 410-235-8826, ext. 122. Our Vet Care Basics brochure lists other organizations that may be able to help with low-cost care.
