Do you want to bring a new dog into your home?
Adoption is the best way to do it.
But with so many rescues and shelters around…
How do you choose the right place?
Keep reading and…
Find out:
- Specific services and programs are being offered by each place.
- The steps and ways to adopt a dog in different rescues or shelters.
- The 13 best dog rescues in Maryland according to people’s reviews.
- And so much more…
Table of contents
- 13 best dog rescues in Maryland
- #1: Labor of Love Animal Sanctuary
- #2: Tails of Hope Sanctuary
- #3: Lola’s Landing Animal Rescue
- #4: Capital Animal Rescue and Environmental Foundation
- #5: Senior Dog Sanctuary
- #6: Rude Ranch Animal Rescue
- #7: Maryland SPCA
- #8: Montgomery County Humane Society
- #9: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center
- #10: Luna’s House Animal Care and Edu
- #11: The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Center
- #12: Chesapeake Dogs and Cats, Inc.
- #13: Fallston Animal Rescue
All the information below is based on ratings and reviews by actual people and Local Guides. These are taken from the data on Google Maps. People who leave reviews are a big help to those looking for validation and real experiences.
I have gathered all the necessary data below for easier reading. As there are several doge rescues around, it is better to have all the information in one place.
Disclaimer: These are all the actual ratings, reviews, and services of each rescue. Actual data was sourced during the time of writing this article. But, keep in mind that all this information can change without prior notice.
13 best dog rescues in Maryland
#1: Labor of Love Animal Sanctuary
Rating: 5
Review: 12
Website: N/A
Address: 1009 Hookers Mill Rd, Abingdon, MD 21009, United States
Phone: +16099774466
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
#2: Tails of Hope Sanctuary
Rating: 5
Review: 4
Website: tails-of-hope.org
Address: Mt Airy, MD 21771, United States
Phone: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services
Spay and Neuter
The shelter provides NO COST spay and neuter services. This is for every animal who will be adopted or will go into a foster home.
Resource Development and Sharing
Tails of Hope holds fundraisers and donation drives. These are for other shelters that lack resources.
Some of the items they accept and need are:
- Toys.
- Treats.
- Pet food.
- Blankets.
- Dog beds.
- Other supplies.
Humane Education
One of their goals is to include a Humane Education program in schools and churches. Its purpose is for more knowledge of the system.
The topics for this program include:
- Respect for animals.
- Dog-bite prevention.
- Proper care for pets.
- Bonding with your pets.
- How to approach animals.
- Substances that are toxic to pets.
- Factory farming vs. sustainable eating.
- Choosing the right kind of pet for the family.
Medical Fund
This shelter also provides monetary help to other shelters.
The money is used to pay for some of their animals’ needs.
Reading recommendation: 13 Mistakes When Adopting A Rescue Dog (Guide)
#3: Lola’s Landing Animal Rescue
Rating: 5
Review: 1
Website: lolaslandinganimalrescue.org
Address: Theodore Rd, Rising Sun, MD 21911, United States
Phone: +14438772210
Opening Hours:
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed.
- Monday-Friday: 12 pm- 5 pm.
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Before the shelter releases their dogs for adoption, they have received the following:
- Microchipped.
- Heartworm testing.
- Spayed or neutered.
- Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella vaccination.
Note: Adoption fees depend on the age and state of the animal.
#4: Capital Animal Rescue and Environmental Foundation
Rating: 4.8
Review: 18
Website: capitalanimalrescue.org
Address: 2227 Bel Pre Rd, Aspen Hill, MD 20906, United States
Phone: +13019608606
Opening Hours:
- 9 am- 5 pm (except Saturdays)
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Adoption is done via online scheduling only. The staff will contact you upon schedule availability.
Adoption application form here.
Send your application form to: Adopt@CapitalAnimalRescue.Org
Pet Care Service and Rehabilitation
The shelter offers activities for all pets. They also have an assessment program for adoptable dogs.
They also offer rehabilitation and training programs.
#5: Senior Dog Sanctuary
Rating: 4.7
Review: 93
Website: seniordogsanctuary.com
Address: 8336 WB&A Rd, Severn, MD 21144, United States
Phone: +14437420270
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday-Sunday: 10 am- 2 pm
Social Media:
Services
Volunteering
Senior Dog sanctuary has a lot of programs for volunteers including:
- Fostering.
- Volunteer night-out.
- Donation organization.
- Facilities maintenance.
- Newsletter/ PR outreach.
- Adoption support committee.
- Outreach and adoption events.
- Adoption application committee.
Note: New volunteer applications have been paused for the time being. Check their website for updates.
Kennel Sponsoring
Being a kennel sponsor means providing a rescue with their basic needs and veterinary care.
You can sponsor an animal with a time frame of 6 months or 1 year.
Adoption
Available senior dogs are listed on the shelter website.
Adoption application approval involves processing, home checks, veterinary checks, and reference checks.
Interested adopters can fill out the application form here.
#6: Rude Ranch Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.7
Review: 27
Website: ruderanch.org
Address: 3200 Ivy Way, Harwood, MD 20776, United States
Phone: +14107989559
Opening Hours:
- Saturday: 9:30 am-3 pm
- Sunday: 12:30 pm- 3 pm
- Monday-Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday-Friday: 12 pm- 2 pm
Social Media:
Services
Spay and Neuter
Rude Ranch offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries with their partner clinic.
Adoption
Adopting an animal from Rude Ranch comes with the following:
- Microchipping.
- Spay or neuter.
- Combined vaccinations.
- Flea, tick, roundworm, and tapeworm treatment.
Adoption application form here.
#7: Maryland SPCA
Rating: 4.6
Review: 967
Website: mdspca.org
Address: 3300 Falls Rd, Baltimore, MD 21211, United States
Phone: +14102358826
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 1pm- 7 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm- 5 pm
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Adoption is done by appointment only. No walk-ins and visits to the shelter as of the moment.
Pets up for adoption are listed on the shelter website.
Volunteering
Current positions available at the shelter are:
- Kibble connection general volunteer- help out at the pantry.
- Dog deputy- walk, play, and clean up after dogs in the shelter.
- Kibble connection delivery volunteer- deliver pet food to homes.
- Court-ordered- complete your community service at the shelter.
- Amazon warrior- pick up food and supplies at amazon donation pick-ups.
#8: Montgomery County Humane Society
Rating: 4.6
Review: 246
Website: N/A
Address: 601 S Stonestreet Ave, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
Phone: +12402522555
Opening Hours:
- 11 am- 5 pm (Every day)
Social Media: N/A
You may also want to check out: 17 Critical Tips To Take Care Of A Rescue Dog (Guide)
#9: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center
Rating: 4.4
Review: 702
Website: montgomerycountymd.gov
Address: 7315 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855, United States
Phone: +12407735900
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 12 pm- 7 pm
- Saturday-Sunday: 12 pm- 5 pm
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
No walk-ins are allowed by the shelter, so please set an appointment beforehand.
The shelter offers same-day adoptions for those who are qualified.
Adoption questionnaire here.
Pet Licensing
Free vaccination clinics are also offered by the shelter.
This is for those who will avail of their pet licensing services.
Lost and Found Pets
If you have lost your pet or found one at any time, please contact the shelter for instructions.
#10: Luna’s House Animal Care and Edu
Rating: 4.4
Review: 99
Website: lunashouse.org
Address: 2801 Pulaski Hwy, Edgewood, MD 21040, United States
Phone: +14106712954
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday: Closed
- Sunday: 12 pm- 4 pm
- Saturday: 11 am- 5 pm
- Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 11 am- 7:30 pm
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
No walk-ins for any individual or family will be catered by the shelter.
All adoption services are done through appointments only.
Humane Education
The shelter conducts lectures and programs about animal welfare and safety. This is available for the community.
If interested to listen (or educating others), please contact the shelter.
Pet Food Pantry
Luna’s house shares all the surplus of food donations.
They are divided between foster homes, individuals, and other rescue shelters.
#11: The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Center
Rating: 4.4
Review: 1,907
Website: barcs.org
Address: 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225, United States
Phone: +14103964695
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 2 pm- 6 pm
- Saturday-Sunday: 11 am- 4 pm
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Adoption packages are available, depending on the adoption fee paid.
$100 Adoption fee includes:
- Microchip ID.
- Pet license fee.
- Travel Carrier (CATS).
- Spay or neuter surgery.
- Leash & Collar (DOGS).
- Vaccinations and preventatives.
$75 Adoption fee includes:
- Microchip ID.
- Pet license fee.
- Spay or neuter surgery.
- Vaccinations and preventatives.
Adoption application form here.
Programs and Resources
BARCS has programs available for the following:
- Too many pets.
- Behavior issues.
- Housing options.
- Cost of medical care.
- Cost of supplies/food.
- Spay and neuter needs.
Read next: Adopting A Rescue Dog: The First 7 Days [Checklist]
#12: Chesapeake Dogs and Cats, Inc.
Rating: 4.3
Review: 24
Website: chesapeakecatsanddogs.org
Address: 326 Wye Mills Rd, Queenstown, MD 21658, United States
Phone: +14106439955
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 12 pm- 4 pm
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: Closed
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Dogs up for adoption are in foster homes, not in the sanctuary. Appointments are needed to schedule a visit to the foster home.
Volunteering
The shelter currently needs immediate help with the following:
- Sanctuary Cat Caretakers.
- Community Cat Caretakers.
- Fundraising event staffing/organizing.
- Dog walkers for dogs at Dandyland Pet Care Center.
- Foster families (for dogs, kittens, and cats with medical needs).
#13: Fallston Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.2
Review: 29
Website: fallstonanimalrescue.org
Address: 2725 Fallston Rd, Fallston, MD 21047, United States
Phone: +14105576161
Opening Hours:
- By appointment only
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Adoption fees include:
- Microchip.
- Spay or neuter.
- First vaccinations.
- Heartworm test (for dogs).
- Harness/leash/collar/ID tag (for dogs).
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities are currently closed.
Fundraising activities are welcome. Please contact the shelter for more information.