HUGHESVILLE, Md. — Charles County Animal Care Center staff posted a call November 7 for adopters to take in two cats, Jingle and Bells, as working animals to manage rodent populations on properties across the county. The pair, formerly community cats, requires placement in an outbuilding such as a barn, shed or garage where they can perform pest control duties in exchange for basic care provisions.
Jingle, a 4-year-old Siamese-type female, and Bells, a 3-month-old kitten, arrived at the shelter through intake processes for stray or relinquished animals. Center personnel describe them as a duo suited for collaborative rodent deterrence, with Jingle offering established hunting skills and Bells learning under supervision. Potential adopters must supply daily food and fresh water, along with future veterinary services including vaccinations and spay or neuter confirmation. The cats remain outdoors, receiving gradual socialization to build trust over time.
The working cats initiative at the center targets under-socialized felines that thrive in low-contact environments while addressing common rural challenges. Charles County, encompassing 640 square miles with significant farmland and equestrian facilities, reports frequent rodent issues in agricultural zones like Nanjemoy and Port Tobacco. Adopters commit to monitoring the cats’ adjustment for the first two weeks, ensuring secure access to shelter from weather and predators. No adoption fee applies for working placements, contrasting standard cat fees of $85 that cover microchipping, testing and initial vaccines.
Center director Amanda Wallace outlined the program’s structure in a shelter overview, noting it rehomes cats otherwise difficult to place in traditional homes. Applicants undergo a brief interview to assess suitability, followed by transport to the site. Supplies like starter food bowls and litter guidance come included. Since inception in 2020, the program has facilitated more than 150 placements, reducing euthanasia rates for feral intakes by 20 percent through 2024, per county records. Participants report up to 80 percent drops in rodent sightings within months, based on follow-up surveys.
This approach draws from regional models, such as Calvert County’s working cat effort launched in 2019, which emphasizes eco-friendly pest management. There, participants note fewer chemical interventions on properties, aligning with Maryland’s integrated pest management guidelines from the Department of Agriculture. In Charles County, where crop fields and stables span thousands of acres, such programs support biosecurity without rodenticides that pose risks to wildlife and groundwater. The center collaborates with local farms through the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Corporation, promoting adoptions at events like the Charles County Fair in August.
Staff encourage visits during adoption hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the shelter on 6707 Animal Shelter Road. Walk-ins receive tours of available animals, including 22 cats and 15 dogs as of November 10. For working cat applications, call 301-932-1713 or email animalcare@charlescountymd.gov.
Contact the center for Jingle and Bells availability, as placements fill quickly during fall farm preparations.