Montgomery County Animal Services shelter reaches critical capacity for large dogs

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is issuing an urgent appeal for community support as the shelter faces an unprecedented space crisis. In a span of just three days—from March 4 to March 6—the facility took in 29 dogs, pushing the total canine population over 100 and exceeding the shelter’s capacity for care. The situation has reached a tipping point, threatening the shelter's long-standing commitment to animal welfare, and avoidance of euthanasia based solely on space limitations.

With dogs arriving faster than staff and volunteers can safely place them, available kennels have become extremely limited. MCASAC is calling on residents who are able to adopt a large dog to visit the shelter as soon as possible. Adoptions are completed on a first-come, first-served basis, and interested individuals should be prepared to take their new pet home the same day. Visitors are asked to bring a leash and collar to facilitate the process.

If you can take a big dog in for a short stay until the crisis is over, residents can join the MCASAC temporary foster program at no cost. The shelter provides all necessary supplies to those willing to open their homes to a large dog temporarily.

Visiting hours at the shelter are 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, and 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. The shelter is closed on Mondays. MCASAC is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.

Operated by the Office of Animal Services, MCASAC is Montgomery County’s only open-admission municipal shelter. It provides 24-hour emergency response and promotes responsible pet care through education and outreach. For more information on the adoption process or to view available animals, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices.

GoodVets coming soon to Silver Spring

GoodVets is coming soon to downtown Silver Spring. The primary and urgent care veterinary clinic is located at 8501 Fenton Street at Wayne Avenue. GoodVets has missed a couple of target opening dates, but permanent signage has now been installed on the clinic's exterior. No opening date has been announced, but I noticed that the first available appointments on the website are on May 15, 2025.

These dogs are up for adoption today in Silver Spring (Photos)

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue will be holding a dog adoption event this afternoon, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Silver Spring. All of the dogs pictured here will be available to adopt (a few are contingent upon volunteers giving them a ride over, as noted below). There will also be some cats to adopt, as well. The event will be held at the PetSmart at 12020 Cherry Hill Road at the Orchard Center in Calverton from 12:00 to 3:00 PM.

Vet clinic to replace Sip & Develop at Downtown Silver Spring

Sip & Develop is essentially moving from Downtown Silver Spring to National Harbor in Prince George's County at the end of this month. Both properties are owned by The Peterson Cos. The Sip & Develop space has now been leased by a veterinary clinic, which will begin construction after the photography business closes on January 28, 2024. Perhaps addressing the booming "pet parent" market, the daytime vet business follows a trend begun by Bethesda Row, which added a veterinary clinic to its mix of retail and restaurant businesses in December 2022.

Apex Vets now open at Wheaton Plaza

Apex Vets is now open at 11060 Veirs Mill Road at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. The clinic offers standard veterinary care, as well as handling emergencies and surgery. Anesthesiology and diagnostics services are also available, as well as neurology services. 

Veterinary clinic to open at Wheaton Plaza

The latest out-of-left-field tenant to take a swing at the vacant Sears Outlet building at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall will be a veterinary practice. "Future home of your local veterinary specialists," reads a sign in the window of what most recently was American Freight. You'd never guess American Freight sold mattresses and furniture. In this case, the vet clinic is avoiding the name confusion issue by not giving a name at all. 

Lost cat in Takoma Park

Takoma Park police are seeking the public's help in finding a lost cat. Ollie has been missing for more than a week, police say. He is neutered and microchipped, has all of his vaccinations up-to-date, and is considered to be friendly. 

Despite many listserv-sharing and flyer-posting efforts, Ollie has yet to be located. Perhaps he is hiding in your part of the city. If you see him, you are asked to call Takoma Park police at 301-270-1100.

MoCo Humane Society has urgent need for hard-to-find items in coronavirus panic buying

Rocky and his fellow adoptable friends at the Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville need your help. Humans have cleared the shelves of hand sanitizer, hand soap, bleach, Clorox wipes, toilet paper and wet and dry puppy food in coronavirus-related shopping. The society is "urgently" asking residents who can donate these supplies, along with sheets and blankets, to bring them to their headquarters at 601 S. Stonestreet Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850 between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM seven days a week.

Yappy Hour this Thursday at The Greene Turtle in Burtonsville

The Montgomery County Humane Society will host a Yappy Hour tomorrow evening, Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 6:00-8:30 PM at The Greene Turtle, located at 15660 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. Admission is $15 per person, and $25 per couple. No charge for your dog to attend.

All proceeds will go to help homeless cats and dogs at the Humane Society's facility in Rockville. The Greene Turtle will be donating 10% of all food and beverage sales during the Yappy Hour to MCHS, as well. There will also be a raffle with prizes.