Time is running out for dozens of dogs at Prince George's County Animal Services. The shelter says the animals must be adopted, fostered or transferred by 6 p.m. Tuesday or they could be euthanized. The facility is at critical capacity, and volunteers say rescue partners are already stretched thin. That leaves less than 24 hours to move the remaining dogs before the shelter closes its urgent list.
According to NBC4 Washington, community members have already stepped up, adopting or fostering 18 dogs since the urgent list went public. Several dogs, however, are still in limbo. The outlet reports the shelter is “severely overcrowded” and that area rescues are running out of space. NBC4 also directs people to the Friends of the Prince George's County Animal Shelter Facebook page for the latest roster, and notes that while applications can be submitted online, the ticking clock may force some adopters to finish approvals in person to meet the 6 p.m. deadline.
How to adopt or foster
According to Prince George's County Animal Services, the shelter is at critical capacity and the public is being asked to adopt, foster or work with county approved rescue organizations to clear kennels. The county directs people to 24PetConnect to see which animals are available and lists the shelter’s location at 3750 Brown Station Road in Upper Marlboro, along with a phone line for questions. Walk throughs end one hour before closing, so anyone trying to make the cutoff needs to budget their time carefully.
Why this keeps happening
Advocates say this latest crunch is part of a longer running problem of high intake and limited rescue capacity in the region. WYPR/The Baltimore Banner reported that the county recently ended its decades old ban on pit bull type dogs and that volunteers have been pulling at risk animals into foster homes after those dogs were flagged for euthanasia. The policy shift may open new adoption possibilities in the long run, but it has not solved the immediate crunch created by finite kennels, limited volunteer power and constrained transport options.
How you can help
Local groups are urging residents to share online listings, reach out to county approved rescues and keep an eye on the Friends of the Prince George's County Animal Shelter Facebook page for rapid updates. The county’s adoption page lists 301-780-7200 for information on specific dogs, and NBC4 Washington is steering readers to the Facebook roster for the fastest changes. Rescue coordinators say short term fosters and transport drivers are in especially short supply and that even committing to a foster spot for a single week can be the difference between a full kennel and a life saved.
