Animal Care & Control | Charles County, MD

Animal Care & Control | Charles County, MD Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Charles County, MD Home Menu Customer Care Survey Contact Us (SeeClickReport Charles Co MD) Search CLOSE Go Animal Control Bids CSS Portal Permits Property Taxes Recycling Water Bill Zoning Home Services Emergency Services Dashboard Aging and Senior Services Nanjemoy Community Center Senior Centers SCOOP Alerts Citizen Notification System Closings/Delays Road Closures Animal Care & Control Animal Care Center E-Services See Click Report Compliments, Concerns, & Complaints Emergency Services Department of Emergency Services Recruitment Information Emergency Preparedness Public Safety Town Hall Emergency Services Staff Directory Emergency Services Mapping Essential Personnel (DES Staff) Environmental Resources Adopt-A-Road / Spot Program Apartment Building & Condominium Recycling (ABCR) Curbside Recycling Food Waste Prevention Landfill Litter Control Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) Operating Status Paint Recycling Recycling Centers & Drop-off Facilities Reuse Directory Solid Waste Management Plan The Charles County Environmental Insider Waste Wizard Yard Waste Health and Human Services Childcare Housing Services False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU) Pay False Alarm Renewal Fee and Fines Free Limited Legal Advice Mapping Services Property Tax Inquiry Online Payments Internal Audit Library Media Services Charles County Government Television Public Information Office Community Engagement Stay Connected Special Messaging Alert Video KWIQ (KeyWord Index Query) Roads Snow Operations Report a Road Concern (SeeClickReport Charles Co MD) Report a Traffic Safety Concern Safety Maryland State Police Charles County Sheriff's Office Emergency Preparedness Service Line Assurance Initiative Transportation Report an ADA Accessibility Concern for a Road or Sidewalk VanGO Public Transportation (copy new) Veterans Corner Commission for Veterans Affairs Water and Sewer Billing Account Inquiry Payment Assistance Organizations E-Billing Sign Up Pay Water/Sewer Bill Online Our County Annual Report American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 - Charles County Funds Charles County Code Community Meetings Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) Tourism Goals and Objectives Capital Project Management (County Infrastructure) Recreation & Parks Community Centers Parks Recreation Registration Sports & Wellness Complex Rural Broadband Long Driveway – Category 3 Grant Program Application Internet Access Questionnaire Resilience Authority Public Comments Government Board of Elections Election Board Meeting Agenda Election Board Meeting Minutes Monthly Voter Statistics Redistricting in Charles County Polling Places Rumor Control Contact Board of Elections Boards & Commissions RA Test Meeting Agendas & Minutes Meetings on Demand (Previously Recorded) Calendar Charles County Commissioners BOCC Meeting; MINUTES, ATTENDANCE REPORT and VOTE TRACKING Dignitary Event Form Invocation Request Submit a Public Comment 2026 Board of County Commissioners' Session Calendar Meetings on Demand (Previously Recorded) Community Meetings Goals and Objectives Invite Commissioners to an Event Request a Commissioner Recognition Request a meeting with a Commissioner Contact the Citizens' Response Office Citizens' Response Office Contact the Citizens' Response Office with a Compliment, Concern, or Complaint How Did the Citizens Response Office Do? 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Apply for a Job Apply for Summer Part-Time/Internship Vacancy Apply for a Permit Apply for a Property Tax Credit Apply for Meals on Wheels Apply to be on a Board, Commission, Committee Contact a County Department (SeeClickReport Charles Co MD) Contact My Commissioner Explore Charles County Find Animals Available for Adoption Find how Charles County's ARPA funds are being dispersed Find My Commissioner Find My Recycling Day Get Connected Invite Commissioners to an Event Invocation Request Listen to CCG Podcasts Pay False Alarm Bill Pay My Taxes Pay My Water Bill Register for a Recreation Program Report an Animal Concern Report a Disturbance Report a Road Concern Report a Structure or Property Complaint Report an Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Concern Request a Commissioner Recognition Schedule a Permit Inspection Submit a Public Comment Submit a Public Information Act Request Thank an Employee Create my Service Line Material Inventory for the Service Line Assurance Initiative Understand Board of Commissioners Public Comment Sessions Watch CCGTV Watch Video on Demand Jump to subpage... Animal Care & Control - Animal Care Center + Report a Lost or Found Animal Bully Breed Policy Statement LIVE Cat Cam! Animal Matters Hearing Board & Complaint Form Related Links Animal Licensing Order Form Animal Regulations Dog Parks Complaint Form Frequently Asked Questions Animal Regulations (Spanish Version) Disaster Preparedness for Pets Disaster Preparedness for Horses Commercial Animal Establishment License Application Form Animal Fancier License Application Form Equine Care FAQs (Spanish Version) Contact Animal Control Jeffrey Thomas Chief of Animal Control 9375 Chesapeake Street, Suite #123 La Plata, MD 20646 301-609-3425 OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. AFTER HOURS 301-743-2222 Web Contact Form (SeeClickReport Charles Co MD) Contact Animal Care Center Kim Stephens Manager 6707 Animal Shelter Rd. Hughesville, MD 20637 301-932-1713 800-903-1992 ADOPTION HOURS 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. M-F 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday LOBBY HOURS 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. M-F 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday Web Contact Form (SeeClickReport Charles Co MD) Animal Control Has Moved! New Location: 9375 Chesapeake St., Suite #123, La Plata, MD 20646 Mailing Address: 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD  20646 Services Animal Care & Control Print Share & Bookmark Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option Email Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Reddit Font Size: + - Animal Control Officers Investigate: Animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty Animal bites and scratches Aggressive animals Nuisance cats or dogs (stray or running at-large, excessive barking, animals which do not have proper shelter, food or water Report a Lost Pet Animal Care Center: 301-932-1713 Humane Society of Charles County: 301-645-8181 Report Animal Concerns and/or Violations Sheriff's Office: 301-743-2222 Animal Care and Control consist of the Charles County Animal Care Center and the Charles County Animal Control division. We are committed to the delivery of humane and responsive animal care and control services to and for the residents and animals in our community. Animal Care and Control is committed to providing animal control by enforcement of our county animal regulations; as well as provide care for the animals which are brought into our facility. We strive to provide low cost adoption programs for our adoptable animals, promote the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats in order to reduce the number of homeless, unwanted animals, and to promote responsible pet ownership throughout our community. Animal Control Officers are responsible for protecting the health and safety of our citizens and their pets. It is our duty to investigate suspected animal violations and take appropriate enforcement action. FAQ How could my animal be impounded? If your animal is in violation of any of the Charles County Animal Regulations or the Annotated Code of Maryland, it can be immediately and humanely impounded and housed at the animal shelter or its designated agent. In addition to or in lieu of impounding your animal, an Animal Control Officer may issue you a notice of violation. If your animal is impounded, it will be kept for no less than three working days unless the animal is contagiously ill or severely injured. When you reclaim your animal, you will have to pay fees established by the Sheltering Authority. You also will have to show proof of ownership, including a current rabies vaccination and County license. If your animal is impounded three times within a twelve-month period, it shall remain in the Shelter until you appear before the Animal Matters Hearing Board's next scheduled hearing. The Board will determine the necessary means to resolve the violations and levy any applicable fines and fees. Is there a "pooper scooper" law in Charles County? It is against the law to allow your domestic animal to defecate on public property, or private property that does not belong to the pet's owner. Any waste must be removed and disposed of in a proper and sanitary manner. What are the County's regulations regarding animal care? You must provide your animal with sufficient, wholesome and nutritious food; clean, cool water in sufficient quantities; proper air, shelter, space, and protection from the weather; veterinary care, when needed, to prevent suffering; and humane care and treatment at all times. Pets can not be tethered outside more than four (4) hours a day. Minimal kennel sizes are also identified in the regulations. Remember, when transporting your animal in a vehicle, the animal must be safely confined. Your animal is not allowed to ride in an unenclosed area of your vehicle unless he/she is confined by a securely affixed, well-ventilated cage, or other device designated to safely prevent the animal from falling or jumping from your vehicle. What are the duties of a responsible pet owner? You should exercise reasonable care and take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, property, and animals from injuries or damage which might result from the animal's behavior, regardless of whether the behavior is motivated by playfulness, fear, sickness, or ferocity. In addition, if a minor is the custodian of an animal, the parent or guardian is still responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations and State codes. Don't forget that animals may not be sold or given to a minor without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian. SERVICES OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TERMS & CONDITIONS 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, Maryland 20646 Phone: 301-645-0550 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Stay Connected eNews Sign-Up