The Calvert County Animal Shelter and its nonprofit support partner are asking the community for urgent help after the shelter took in a large number of animals through an active Animal Control case.
Friends of the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter and Calvert County Animal Control (FOLLKAS) issued the appeal this week, saying the intake has left the shelter with an immediate need for foster homes, donated supplies and adopters. FOLLKAS said the case is part of an ongoing investigation and that no further details can be released while it remains open. The organization asked the public to avoid speculation and rumors, saying they “only hurt the shelter staff, and our animals.”
The appeal lands during a month the shelter was already promoting as a high-need period. The Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter, at 5055 Hallowing Point Road in Prince Frederick, is taking part in the national Clear the Shelters campaign, which has waived adoption fees on all animals through Aug. 31, and Calvert County is participating in the statewide Maryland 3,000 Adoption Challenge, an effort to place at least 3,000 animals into homes across Maryland this month.
FOLLKAS said fostering remains one of the most direct ways residents can help right now, and it is recruiting new foster families through an online application. Anyone interested in adopting has until Saturday, Aug. 8, to schedule an appointment by calling the shelter directly at 410-535-7387.
Tangible donations are being accepted at the shelter Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FOLLKAS published a wish list of specific items currently needed, including canned wet puppy food, small-breed dog treats, small- and large-breed Hill’s Science dry dog food, small dog toys, medium and large dog treats, Lysol laundry sanitizer, dryer sheets, puppy pads, puppy dry powder formula, enrichment toys, mop head replacements and newspapers. The full list is available on the organization’s Amazon wish list.
Monetary donations can be made by check payable to FOLLKAS and mailed to P.O. Box 143, Sunderland, MD 20689, or contributed through the nonprofit’s PayPal page.
FOLLKAS is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 by a group of longtime Calvert County animal welfare volunteers. Its stated mission is to raise funding for the medical and behavioral care of animals at the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter, which is operated by the Calvert County Department of Public Safety. Beyond routine shelter costs, the nonprofit says it also helps cover supplemental expenses tied to animal cruelty investigations that Calvert County Animal Control is not otherwise funded to handle.
Under normal operations, the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Monday hours limited to reclaims and surrenders. FOLLKAS and shelter officials did not say whether those hours would change as a result of the current case.
Residents with questions about adopting, fostering or donating can reach the shelter at 410-535-7387 or contact FOLLKAS directly through its website.
