Humane Society of Washington County

Humane Society of Washington County "Existing to improve the quality of life for all animals." EIN 52-0542025
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Please note: No cats were hurt in the aftermath of this picture, but it was close! Hognose is such a lovebug! He pressed...
06/30/2025

Please note: No cats were hurt in the aftermath of this picture, but it was close!

Hognose is such a lovebug! He pressed himself up beside his door seeking more pets before it was fully latched, and he nearly took a tumble! We told him we'd get the message out right away that he really, REALLY wants someone to take him home today! Hognose was adopted a few weeks ago but was soon returned after he wasn't so kindly received by the resident dog. Sweet Hoggy is a friendly, loving boy who purrs so loudly after getting even the slightest bit of attention!

Make this 1-year-old, petite, gray gentleman's life by adopting him today! Adoption fees are half price through the end of the day.

🐕: Hognose may do well with dogs who are respectful to cats. We recommend slow introductions.
👫: Hognose would likely do well with children who are respectful to cats.
🐈: We're not sure if Hognose has lived with other cats before. We recommend slow introductions.
🩺: Hognose weighs around 7.5 pounds. He's just a little guy! He's been neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. He's currently wearing a cone to prevent him from licking fur off of his elbow.

Cow is ready to moooove in to a forever home of her own! This 8-year-old girl is a toy fanatic and is seeking an owner w...
06/30/2025

Cow is ready to moooove in to a forever home of her own! This 8-year-old girl is a toy fanatic and is seeking an owner who doesn't mind funding and enabling her toy hoarding hobby! Don't let her serious face fool you -- we just couldn't get Cow to say "Cheese!" for her picture. She's a perfect mix of loving and playful, and she's ready to go home today!

Adopt this udder-ly gorgeous girl! Adoption fees are half price through the end of the day today!

🐕: We think Cow possibly lived with another dog before. Bring yours in to meet her!
👫: A home with teens/adults is recommended for Cow.
🐈: We don't know if Cow lived with cats before. We recommend slow introductions.
🩺: Cow weighs 53 pounds. She's been spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. She has a low-grade mast cell tumor. Our vet team can provide more information to interested adopters.

Appointments are still available for our Cat Microchip Clinic on Wednesday! This clinic is open to all residents of Wash...
06/30/2025

Appointments are still available for our Cat Microchip Clinic on Wednesday! This clinic is open to all residents of Washington County, MD. Just bring proof of residency, $1 for each cat, and your feline friend(s) to HSWC at your scheduled time!

Some FAQs for this clinic:
◽Proof of rabies vaccination is appreciated but not required.
◽Animals must be 12 weeks or older to be chipped.
◽Each appointment time is good for 3 or less cats. If you have more than 3 cats to be chipped, please book multiple appointments.
◽Cash, check, or card accepted.

Schedule your appointment today at hswcmd.org/schedule!

Thank you to the Washington County Gaming Commission for making this possible!

Please join us in wishing Karen Nelson, DVM a happy retirement! 🥳 Dr. Nelson has spent an incredible 38 years in the vet...
06/28/2025

Please join us in wishing Karen Nelson, DVM a happy retirement! 🥳 Dr. Nelson has spent an incredible 38 years in the veterinary field, and we are grateful that over 6 and a half of those years were spent at HSWC! From the tiniest of mice, newborn kittens, and rabbits to the plumpest pigs, goats, and giant dog breeds, Dr. Nelson has served the animals of the shelter and Washington County community with compassion and individualized care.

Throughout her career, Dr. Nelson has been a voice for the voiceless -- an expert witness in HSWC’s animal cruelty cases, a seasoned surgeon to thousands of animals who have come through the shelter, and a compassionate provider to hundreds of animals who have benefited from low cost Wellness Clinics. Dr. Nelson’s knowledge, dedication, and care have not only nursed animals back to life but have also greatly improved the quality of life for so many.

"Thank you" doesn't seem like enough to express our gratitude for all the lives you have touched in your career! We will truly miss you.

Congratulations and Happy Retirement, Dr. Nelson! 🐾

Let's start the weekend off with some smiles and celebrating adoptions! 🥳 Here's who went to their forever homes from 6/...
06/27/2025

Let's start the weekend off with some smiles and celebrating adoptions! 🥳 Here's who went to their forever homes from 6/20/25 through 6/26/25:

Cats 🐈: Lilly, Beurre Blanc, Gecko*, Fudge, Meringue*, Jello*, Biscoff*, Jelly Bean, Stone, Peter, Coyote, Ryder, Cupcake, Muffin*, Madagascar, Clementine, Mr. Whiskers, Salem*, and Regan

Dogs 🐕: Bourbon*, Mushroom*, Myla, Hazel, Baby, Max*, and Hopscotch

* -- Long-term residents who waited 30 days or longer for their forever homes

Thank you so much to all of our adopters and fosters! We are so grateful for you!

Are you feeling the love? You can adopt, too! Check out hswcmd.org/adoption-gallery to see all of our available animals! Adoption fees on all cats and dogs are half price through the end of TOMORROW, Saturday, June 30th! Several dogs and cats have even had their adoption fees sponsored by generous donors! Look for signs on their kennels when visiting the shelter!

🚨 Fosters are needed for kittens and large dogs! If you live within an hour of the shelter and have reliable transportation, please join our incredible foster team! We'll provide all the supplies, support, and veterinary care you'll need! Please follow all the steps outlined at hswcmd.org/foster-app to get started!

Have a great weekend, everyone! 👋

Thanks to a grant from the Washington County Gaming Commission, HSWC is offering $1 pet microchips to all residents of W...
06/27/2025

Thanks to a grant from the Washington County Gaming Commission, HSWC is offering $1 pet microchips to all residents of Washington County, MD! In order to serve as many as possible, we will be holding two full days of microchip clinics.

Bring your cats to get microchipped on Wednesday, July 2nd, and bring your dogs on Wednesday, July 30th! Appointments and proof of residency are required. Book your slot today by visiting hswcmd.org/schedule. Appointments are limited to 3 or less animals. If you plan to bring more than 3 animals, please book additional appointments. Payment is required at time of appointment.

No pet is immune from going missing. Give yours the best chance at being reunited with you by getting them chipped!

His name is Grass, and he wants you to get off his lawn! 😤 See his little fist there? You can bet he'd be shaking it in ...
06/26/2025

His name is Grass, and he wants you to get off his lawn! 😤 See his little fist there? You can bet he'd be shaking it in the air if he could!

Grass has a lot to be upset about. First, his owner died. That's not what upset him though, because as far as Grass is concerned, that's one less person he has to worry about trying to befriend him! But after his owner died, he thought he could move into the walls of the home and no one would notice. It worked for a little bit, but soon he could evade capture no longer. Grass has been here ever since, and he has NOT been happy about it!

At 8 years old, Grass doesn't want to make new friends, and he sure doesn't want to be confined to a kennel in a noisy room with a bunch of whippersnappers coming and going at all hours of the day! Notes in Grass's file really paint a picture. One staff member documented a big achievement -- Grass allowed them to pet him! Sure, it was only with a back scratcher and at a distance and for a limited period of time, but it counts! Another note states that Grass "will growl in box even with no one interacting with him."

Let's be clear. In the nearly 80 days that he's been here now, Grass has been seen by our veterinary team, staff, and volunteers enough for us to know he's not in any pain or medical distress. He just really, really wants to have the freedom and independence he's accustomed to and enjoy his favorite hobby: using the lost art of letter writing to air his grievances about how much better things used to be in the good ol' days!

His name is Grass, but if you don't adopt him, he's going to mow you! If you will accept this grumpy guy into your home or barn (he's open to having options), come get him today! As a token of our appreciation, we won't make YOU be the one to have to get him in a carrier! 😅 Adoption fees are half price through the end of the month, which means you can take home this sharp blade of Grass for just $25!

🐕: To the best of our knowledge, Grass has never lived with dogs before. We recommend slow introductions.
👫: Are you kidding? Grass already told kids to get off his lawn once! Don't make him have to repeat himself! (Teens/adults recommended)
🐈: Grass successfully lived with several other cats before. We recommend slow introductions.
🩺: Grass weighs about 9.9 pounds. He's been neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. He can go home TODAY!

UPDATE: Emauri has been adopted!! 🥳The name Emauri means "radiant star," and with a smile like that, we think it's very ...
06/26/2025

UPDATE: Emauri has been adopted!! 🥳

The name Emauri means "radiant star," and with a smile like that, we think it's very fitting! Emauri is 3 years old and has such pretty brindle markings! She's a laidback, chill, easy-going girl who would make a perfect addition to a calm home.

Meet this sweet girl today and adopt her for half price! Adoption fees for all dogs and cats are half price for just a few more days (through the end of June 30th)!

🐕: Emauri has enjoyed playing (or rather walking around) with other dogs in play groups. She may do well with another dog. Bring yours in to meet her!
👫: Emauri is scared of loud noises, so a home with teens/adults would be best for her.
🐈: We're not sure if Emauri has lived with cats before. We recommend slow introductions.
🩺: Emauri weighs 51 pounds. She's been spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. She can go home TODAY!

It's Wish List Wednesday!Our dogs have been LOVING play groups lately (on days when it's not too hot)! One way we can im...
06/25/2025

It's Wish List Wednesday!

Our dogs have been LOVING play groups lately (on days when it's not too hot)! One way we can improve our play groups is by using these shorter, waterproof leashes to keep play time safe, fun, and free of tangles!

We only need four, and they can easily be purchased and shipped directly to us via our Amazon wish list! To shop it, please visit hswcmd.org/wish-list.

Thank you so much for the many ways you help support the animals in our care! Enrichment activities, such as play groups, are especially important during times like now when the shelter is so crowded!

UPDATE: Raspberry and Balsamic have been adopted together!! 🥳Raspberry and Balsamic share a lot in common. They're both ...
06/25/2025

UPDATE: Raspberry and Balsamic have been adopted together!! 🥳

Raspberry and Balsamic share a lot in common. They're both 1-year-old black cats who have lived most of their lives outdoors, and sadly, they were both abandoned by their caretaker and can't return home. They've got one big difference though, which you might guess from looking at their pictures. Raspberry is a friendly, social, confident girl, whereas Balsamic is very fearful.

These two siblings are seeking placement as working cats. They would be a great addition to places like breweries, greenhouses, farms, or garages that could benefit from their natural pest control! Raspberry and Balsamic come spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and ear-tipped to approved adopters completely free of charge!

By adopting working cats, you're saving the lives of cats who otherwise would have nowhere left to go. Here's a wonderful testimonial from one of our recent adopters: "We adopted 3 working cats at the same time. Our Barn was overrun by mice before adopting them. Shortly after letting them out of quarantine we noticed the mice problem quickly disappearing. I can't tell you the last time we have seen any. The cats are free to roam our 90 acre farm as they pleased. When we adopted them we were told that they would never be social with people but after a few months they were getting daily scratches and would run up to us during feeding time. This is a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Thank you for allowing us to give them another chance!"

If you can offer Raspberry and Balsamic a place of "employment," please send an email to [email protected].

06/25/2025

UPDATE: Lite Brite's adoption fee has been sponsored!!

Today is Lite Brite's 106th day in the shelter, and we never expected him to be waiting this long. Lite Brite is one of those dogs we thought for sure would've been scooped up and adopted in no time! He's only 2 years old and is SUCH a good boy! He's so good, in fact, he's usually the first dog we recommend for new dog walkers to take out! As a staff and volunteer favorite, there will definitely be tears shed when Lite Brite's adoption day finally arrives, but we hope that day is today!

To help him give him a boost, Lite Brite's adoption fee has been generously sponsored! Come meet him today. Who knows? Maybe you're the lucky one Lite Brite's been waiting for!

🐕: Lite Brite has done well with other dogs in our play groups. Bring yours in to meet him!
👫: Lite Brite has done well with children he's met both in and out of the shelter.
🐈: We're not sure if Lite Brite has lived with cats before or how he feels about them. We recommend slow introductions.
🩺: Lite Brite weighs 52 pounds. He's neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. He can go home TODAY, and we hope he does!! 🤞

Address

13011 Maugansville Road
Hagerstown, MD
21740

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 1pm - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

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