Animal Control Agencies in Prince George’s County

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Prince George’s County Animal Management 3750 Brown Station Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772	301-780-7200
Bowie Animal Control	301-809-3002 301-262-6200 ext. 3002
Greenbelt Animal Control	301-474-6124
College Park Animal Control	301-864-8877
Laurel Animal Control	301-498-0092

Animals at Our County Facility

Does the shelter have purebreds?
Yes, a large portion of animals are purebred types. Unfortunately some people believe breeding animals is an easy way to make quick money. When they realize that breeding animals is not as easy or profitable as they thought, they end up in the shelter.
To learn more about pet adoptions, go to www.proud2adopt.org.

Why do some Breed specific rescue groups have such high adoption fees?
Many times Breed Rescue groups take in Heartworm Positive animals, pay to set broken bones, dentals, and treat illnesses and injuries. They provide treatment the original owner either didn’t choose to do or could not afford to do. An animal’s adoption may reflect its individual medical needs or it may reflect an average cost to the group, with healthy animals subsidizing the care of other animals with more problems.

Does the shelter have peekapoos, labradoodles, schnoodles, etc?
Yes, the shelters have an over abundance of these pets and they are euthanized everyday. These are mixed breed dogs with “official” names and are being sold at pure-bred prices. They have been in the shelters for years.

Why would you consider rescuing an adult instead of adopting a puppy or kitten?
For dogs you would get an adult whose chewing phase, housebreaking phase and puppy wildness is gone. Your adult dog may come housebroken and may even know a few tricks. Adult cats are often more laid back, more affectionate, and have already gone through the scratching your furniture stage. You would know exactly how big the dog or cat would get, have a good idea of the individual personality, whether they are good with other pets, good with children etc.

How do I find out if my pet store is buying from puppy mills? 
Most pet store puppies come from puppy mills. Ask the pet store employee to show you the paperwork identifying the puppy’s breeder and origins. If he or she refuses to do so or is reluctant to show you the paperwork, consider that a red flag. If you do inspect the paperwork, you may notice that the puppy has been shipped from out of state, often by a “broker” service. These are just a few indications that the store’s dog may have come from a puppy mill. The bottom line is that responsible breeders do not sell dogs through pet stores, because they want to personally meet and interview the person who will be caring for their puppy. Responsible breeders provide a loving and healthy environment for their companions, but don’t take their word for it. Never buy a puppy or a kitten without seeing where they and their parents are raised with your own eyes. Of course, we suggest adopting from your local shelter.

To learn more on puppy mills and what you can do to stop them, please visit www.stoppuppymills.org.