With Baltimore County Animal Services caring for more dogs and cats than they have the capacity for, the agency is waiving all pet adoption fees now through the weekend.
Coinciding with National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on Thursday, anyone who adopts an animal from April 30 through May 3 will have all adoption fees waived. Additionally, anyone who adopts a pet on April 30 will receive a PetSmart gift card.
“Every kennel has a story, and the animals inside those kennels deserve a home,” Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said in a statement. “If you’ve been thinking about adopting, now is a great time. You’ll be giving an animal a chance at a new life, and you will get a friend in return.”
Baltimore County Animal Services is the only open-admission shelter in the county, meaning it doesn’t turn away any animals.
The shelter has accepted an average of 21 animals per day this year. That’s 440 more animals from January through March than the same period in 2025.
Like many of the nation’s animal shelters, Baltimore County Animal Services is over capacity with both dogs and cats.
County leaders hope this adoption push will help alleviate those capacity challenges and connect animals with permanent and loving homes.
“National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is a great time to adopt,” said Dr. Lucy E. Wilson, the county’s health officer, in a statement. “Pets bring tremendous joy and companionship, and we have so many in need of a loving home. I encourage anyone considering adoption to take advantage of the many incentives being offered.”
If residents want to help but are not ready or able to adopt, they might consider fostering or volunteering with Baltimore County Animal Services.
