TCAS Newsletter
March 2017
Paws to Read Month!

Do you love reading? . . . Do you love animals? . . . Would you like to help the homeless animals in the shelter? 

Bring your favorite short story book to the shelter and read to our animals waiting for adoption! This form of enrichment not only helps you improve your reading skills but is also beneficial for the animals. Reading helps to calm an anxious animal and the sound of your voice soothes the shy animals. 

Come make a difference in a shelter animal's life!
Go Green on St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day  is celebrated every year on March 17. The celebrations are largely Irish culture themed and typically consist of wearing green. 

The shelter staff and pets are joining in on the fun by reducing the adoption fee for cats at the shelter to $25 to any adopter that is wearing green. 

Get your green gear on and come adopt a cat!
Billy's Blurb:

Poison Prevention Awareness Month

March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month and Billy would like to take the time to tell you that many items that are safe for you and I can be harmful, and even fatal, to your beloved pets. 

Did you know "Nicotine is a stimulant that can increase the heart rate, leading to collapse, and in the worst case, death?"  What about that something as simple as "Onions can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia?"  

Please take the time to read these articles to learn more about what items need to be out of your pets reach so that they can live long and happy lives.

Learn more at:
It's A "Be Mad Day"

Saturday, March 25, is "Be Mad Day" and s pring is right around the corner. Everyone knows that springtime can be one of the busiest times of the year at the animal shelter. Cats and kittens coming in and need loving forever homes. 

Since we're all "mad" here, we thought it would be fun to put a twist on Be Mad Day and celebrate with an Alice in Wonderland themed Mad Tea Party. 

Stop in Saturday, March 25, from Noon to 5 p.m. to adopt your very own Cheshire kitty for only $10. Enjoy the music and grab some refreshments!
Spay/Neuter Clinics

Every year thousands of animals find their way to the Tri-County Animal Shelter. If responsible owners spayed or neutered their pet, these offspring would never come into the shelter.

Getting your pet altered can reduce the number of homeless pets killed each year; improve your pet's health, reduce unruly behavior, and save on the cost of pet care. 

If you think you can't afford to have your pet altered? Think again. The tri-county area has low cost spay/neuter clinics in each county; some even offer it for free. 

Call one of the clinics listed below to discuss fees and schedule your appointment today! 
Spay/Neuter Clinics
  • Calvert Well Pet Clinic 443-295-7873
  • Southern MD Spay and Neuter, Inc. (SPOT) (Calvert Residents Only) 410-562-6516
  • Humane Society of Charles County 301-645-8181
  • Waldorf Well Pet Clinic 301-885-0263  
  • The Well Pet Clinic 301-866-0303
  • The Spay Spot 301-254-8151 
Visit these sites to learn more:
Volunteer Help is Always Needed

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to volunteer in your community, the Tri-County Animal Shelter has a place for you. The shelter is in need of volunteers, ages 14 years old and over, to assist with caring for the many animals in our facility. 

There are several volunteer duties offered, including walking shelter dogs, spending time with the cats, taking photos of adoptable pets, general housekeeping, washing dishes and toys, cleaning kennels, and assisting with laundry. 

You can volunteer as little or as much as you would like. Volunteers must submit required volunteer forms, which can be completed at the shelter.
Tags and Licensing Are Required

Keep identification tags on your pet ... it could be your pets ticket to get back home. Both dogs and cats need ID. Be sure your animals wear a collar with an ID tag, a county license, and rabies tag. Also, don't forget to microchip your animal. Keep your personal information with the microchip company up to date. These identifiers could help your neighbor return your animal to you instead of taking him to the animal shelter. 

Dogs in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's Counties must have a county license. Cats in Charles and Calvert Counties also require a county license. 

To obtain a pet license you must have a current rabies vaccine for your pet.

Information on Licensing Your Pet

Guidelines for Responsible
Pet Ownership

The Tri-County Animal Shelter is located at 6707 Animal Shelter Road in Hughesville. Shelter staff can be reached at 301-932-1713 or 800-903-1992. 

View animals available for adoption at:

Adoption hours are Monday-Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. and  Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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About Charles County Government
The mission of Charles County Government is to provide our citizens the highest quality service possible in a timely, efficient and courteous manner. To achieve this goal, our government must be operated in an open and accessible atmosphere, be based on comprehensive long- and short-term planning and have an appropriate managerial organization tempered by fiscal responsibility. We support and encourage efforts to grow a diverse workplace. Charles County is a place where all people thrive and businesses grow and prosper; where the preservation of our heritage and environment is paramount; where government services to its citizens are provided at the highest level of excellence; and where the quality of life is the best in the nation.

It is the policy of Charles County to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religious or political affiliation or opinion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law.