Montgomery County's public animal shelter in Derwood is sounding the alarm as a wave of large dogs has pushed the facility past what staff are calling "critical capacity." Without a rapid uptick in adoptions or foster homes, some of those dogs could end up facing euthanasia, shelter officials warn.
According to FOX 5 DC, Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) took in 29 dogs between March 4 and March 6, driving its canine population to more than 100 animals. Maria Anselmo, the center's community relations manager, told the outlet the shelter has never euthanized solely for space before, but that the possibility now "hangs over" staff as dogs arrive faster than they can be safely placed.
The center is run by Montgomery County's Office of Animal Services and is described as the county's only open‑admission municipal shelter. Animal services officers are on duty seven days a week, 24 hours a day, the county's website notes. That open‑door status means the shelter must take in any animal brought to it, which makes sudden intake spikes especially hard to manage.
The pressure has been building for months. Local reporting and county notices show the shelter has been repeatedly calling for backup this winter. In February, officials launched a reduced‑fee adoption push to move dozens of large dogs out of the kennels after they reported that nearly 80 big pups were in need of homes, per coverage from MoCo Show.
How to help right now
For anyone ready to adopt, MCASAC is urging residents to come in during posted adoption hours. Adoptions are completed the same day on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and visitors are asked to bring a leash and collar and be prepared to take their new dog home immediately. Details and the current list of adoptable animals are posted on Montgomery County. Walk‑in visitors should be prepared for potential wait times during busy stretches.
Fostering is free, and the shelter supplies what temporary caregivers need. County and local reports note that fostering remains one of the fastest ways to open up kennel space. For residents who cannot foster or adopt, officials told FOX 5 DC that people can still pitch in by donating pet food, sharing posts about adoptable animals, or checking lost‑and‑found resources before surrendering a pet.
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood. The shelter can be reached at 240‑773‑5900 for questions about availability or fostering. County officials say quick action, whether adopting, fostering or donating, is the best way to lower the risk facing the many large dogs now crowding the kennels.
