Cecil County Animal Services has a more than full house, seeks those looking to foster, adopt

CHESAPEAKE CITY — Cecil County Animal Services is looking for people wanting to adopt a dog.

Not only will it get the pups out of the shelter at 3280 Augustine Herman Highway in Chesapeake City and into a forever home, it will also help with overcrowding in the kennels.

According to Dave Trolio, director of Cecil County Community Services, the current fiscal year is not over and already it is showing signs that the number of animals brought to CCAS will surpass the number relinquished in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

“Owner relinquishes in fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021 were 700 per year,” Trolio said. “We’re probably seeing animals adopted during the pandemic now being relinquished.”

In FY23 3,900 animals were relinquished. With FY24 not yet over, more than 4,000 have come through the CCAS doors.

Abigail Bingham, director of CCAS, said the problem is widespread.

“It’s not just in Cecil County. It’s a problem across the country,” Bingham said. She said the shelter can hold up to 45 dogs in its kennels, with smaller dogs in crates.

“We can hold as many cats as we need to,” Bingham said.

To encourage people looking for a pet to consider the animals being held by Cecil County Animal Services, adoption fees are being waived. That’s a savings of $70 for dogs and $40 for cats.

“But we are always in the greatest need for fosters,” Bingham said.

Those who foster take in a dog or cat temporarily to get it acclimated to a home life. The socialization aspect makes it more likely to be adopted. Bingham said becoming a foster is easy.

“Call us or come in at any time,” she said. “Everything is covered; food, litter, supplies, health care is all managed by the shelter.”

Whether fostering or adopting the process begins by filling out forms at https://www.ccgov.org/government/animal-services .

As the Cecil County budget for FY25 is being crafted, Trolio said CCAS hopes to win money for an expansion of the kennels.

“It could be a modular. It’s all based on funding,” he said. “The whole goal is to recognize that the amount of animals have increased.”

To help owners that want to keep their pets, but have financial hardships, CCAS has The Paw Project.

“That offers free and low cost spay/neuter services for those in need who are income eligible,” Bingham said. Within the Community Services Foundation, a line-item has been added to help with medical needs.

Of course, on the CCAS website there’s opportunities to make donations in kind, or cash gifts to help the shelter.

Pictures of pets up for adoption, and those recently picked up by CCAS enforcement can be seen on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cecilcoanimalservices/ .