[Monday, Oct. 22, 2024] On Oct. 8, Charles County Commissioners joined with staff from the Charles County Animal Shelter and Charles County Department of Emergency Services, and community members for a groundbreaking on the new Charles County Animal Care Center.

The new animal care center will shelter and care for the county’s stray, sick, injured, and unwanted domestic animals until they can find their forever homes. The new facility at 5690 Piney Church Road in Waldorf will replace the old facility, which has served Charles County’s animal population for over 60 years.

“This shelter isn’t just a win for the animals – it’s a win for the community,” Michelle Lilly, Director of the Department of Emergency Services, said. “It will serve as a place where compassion, education, and public service come together.”

The new, approximately 22,000-square-foot center will house both the Animal Control and Animal Sheltering Divisions and include several improvements for animal care and community engagement.

The center will include 60 dog kennels, 95 cat cages, and small animal holding cages; a livestock barn with paddock; several community cat rooms, including a “catio,” and indoor meet-and-greet areas for both dogs and cats.

Other amenities include a medical clinic with a surgery suite of spay and neuter services, educational rooms, soundproofing to buffer animal barking sounds and other improvements.

For more information about the new animal center, please visit the New Charles County Animal Care Center Engage Page. Residents who wish to help support the center or adopt a new furry friend should visit the Charles County Animal Care Center page on the county website or the Charles County Animal Care Center Facebook Page.

To view our featured furry friend of the week, subscribe to Charles County Government on YouTube to view the Pet of the Week.

Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 7-1-1 (Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258).