In a heartfelt push to find forever homes, the Calvert County animal shelter launched a fee-free adoption campaign through August 31, 2025, aiming to reduce overcrowding and place pets like Star, a 3-year-old Akita, with loving families. The shelter, located in Prince Frederick, is open for meet-and-greet sessions Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., welcoming visitors without appointments to meet adoptable animals.
Star, a neutered female Akita, holds the title of the Calvert County animal shelter’s longest-term resident, having waited over 300 days for a home. At 3 years and 10 months old, she represents the many animals seeking adoption during this fee-waived period. The shelter’s “Let’s Make the Shelter a Little Less Paw-pulated!” campaign emphasizes urgency, as animals like Star need permanent homes to ease the strain on shelter resources.
Standard adoption procedures remain in place at the Calvert County animal shelter, ensuring animals are placed in suitable homes. Adoptions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, encouraging potential adopters to visit promptly. The shelter’s website, www.calvertcountyanimalshelter.com, lists all adoptable animals, providing detailed information to help match pets with families across Southern Maryland.
The fee-free initiative addresses a common barrier to adoption—cost—while maintaining the Calvert County animal shelter’s commitment to responsible placements. Adoption processes include verifying compatibility, ensuring animals like Star, who has spent nearly a year in the shelter, find environments where they can thrive. The shelter’s staff is available during meet-and-greet hours to assist visitors in navigating the adoption process.
Calvert County’s animal shelter serves a community of approximately 90,000 residents, many of whom rely on it to adopt pets or surrender animals in need. Overcrowding is a persistent challenge, and campaigns like this one aim to increase adoptions and reduce the number of animals in care. Star’s prolonged stay highlights the need for community support, as long-term residents often face longer waits for adoption.
The Calvert County animal shelter encourages residents to visit and meet animals ready for adoption. The fee waiver, available through August 31, applies to all adoptable pets, not just Star, making it an ideal time for Southern Maryland families to grow. By adopting, residents can help alleviate overcrowding and give animals a fresh start. For those interested, the shelter’s website offers a complete list of animals, and staff are prepared to guide adopters through the process during open hours.
