Humane Society of Washington County

07/30/2026

We have four pages of animals available for adoption our website, but there are some faces that have been on those pages for a very long time! Check out our longest-term residents in the shelter! All of them are here and ready to meet you, and some have even had their adoption fees sponsored! Remember, all come spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Which one of these sweet babies caught your eye?

07/30/2026

Brooks looks like he's just been released from a lengthy prison sentence where he got really into weightlifting, but he's only 3 years old! He doesn't have a rap sheet to show off, but he does have one heck of a grasp on the "shake" command, and he'd love to show it to you! Nothing makes him happier than impressing humans with his mastery of not just "paw" but "other paw," too! He LOVES getting attention and being told how amazing he is!

Stop in and ask to meet Brooks today! Just make sure you have your hand ready to receive his big, meaty paw for a very enthusiastic handshake! 🤝

🐕: Brooks may do well with another dog. Bring yours in to meet him!
👫: Brooks may do best with older/sturdier children who are respectful to dogs.
🐈: We don't know how Brooks feels about cats. We recommend slow introductions.
🩺: Brooks is 3 years old and weighs over 50 pounds. He's neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
📍: Come meet Brooks at 13011 Maugansville Road in Hagerstown, MD! His adoption fee is just $75!

07/29/2026

It's Wish List Wednesday!

This week, in addition to paper towels, which we always need, we have several requests to improve our volunteers' experience:

◾ One pack of green dot stickers
◾ One pack of yellow dot stickers
◾ One pack of orange dot stickers
◾ One matching set of six storage bins with labels
◾ One pack of Command strips

Wondering what they're for? 🤔

The colored dot stickers will go on volunteer badges to indicate which level of dog-walking training they've completed (thus which dogs they're able to walk) and can easily be seen at a distance.

The storage bins are to replace the ones in our volunteer area, which are very old, dirty, and worn out.

The Command strips are to hang a pegboard for use by our volunteer dog trainers without damaging the wall.

To view our complete wish list and order directly from it, please visit hswcmd.org/wish-list.

Our mailing address is 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown MD 21740.

Any donated items may be dropped off during our normal business hours.

Thank you so much for the many ways you help us provide for the animals in our care! We are grateful to our community! 🐾

07/29/2026

Who's been attacked by an illegal pet opossum and needs somebody who can, and we quote, "wipe her butt?" Why, it's none other than adoptable cat Schenze!

If you think she looks familiar, you're right! We last shared Schenze with you in January. She originally came to us after her elderly owner could no longer provide care for her. Schenze was so morbidly obese that she was unable to properly clean herself, resulting in urine scald and matted f***s on her hind end. She made some progress on her weight loss here before finding a new home, but sadly Schenze is back. She is one of several animals currently in the shelter due to their previous owners needing to flee unsafe people in their lives.

In addition to sharing Schenze's 'possum survival story with us, her previous owner described Schenze's ideal home having "one person that can handle a large cat, wipe her butt, and cuddle and snuggle her." Yes, even though Schenze's down 5 pounds from when we first met her, she still needs some assistance in that area from time to time. All cats have servants though, right? 😉

Schenze hasn't quite been herself since being traumatized by well-meaning attempts to catch her and put her in a carrier to come here. She's especially not a fan of being picked up or having her belly touched (even though it's so tempting and has so much surface area to pet!). Aside from that, she's just scared and probably very confused. The first 8 years of her life were spent with one person in one home, but there have been so many changes in recent months.

Schenze needs an adopter who will be patient and understanding. She spends a lot of her time here hiding under blankets behind a curtain in her kennel. Sometimes she'll come out. Sometimes she'll hiss. But if you go slow and let her warm up to you, Schenze will let you give her those pets and scratches she so craves. This girl is a cuddler who wants nothing but to be pet and loved and cuddled (and yes, someone to wipe her butt).

We hope Schenze's next home is her true forever home and one where she will reach a healthy weight and be free from the terrors of indoor opossums. If you can give Schenze the stability and life she so deserves, please come meet her. Schenze's adoption fee is sponsored, and she's ready to embark on her new life today.

🐕: Schenze would prefer to be the only pet in the home. This includes opossums.
👫: Schenze may do well with children who are respectful to cats and who will respect her boundaries.
🐈: Schenze is not fond of other cats. She prefers to be the only one in your home.
🩺: Schenze is 8 years old and weighs 13.7 pounds. She's spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Schenze is currently being fed a prescription food to help her lose weight.
📍: Come meet Schenze in our Cat Adopt room at 13011 Maugansville Road in Hagerstown, MD! Her adoption fee has been sponsored by a generous donor.

07/29/2026

Somehow, despite having his whole world turned upside a couple months ago, three-year-old Oso still has a smile on his face and so much love in his heart. We could all learn a lot from him.

So much of Oso's personality would have never been known had a foster family not stepped up, took him into their home, and gave him the opportunity to show his true self. When we say fosters save lives, we truly mean it!

Oso takes time to adjust to other dogs, but he attaches very quickly to humans. He's very much a velcro dog who wants to be where his people are, including cuddling with them on the couch or tagging along on car rides! Oso is also affectionate towards his humans and loves to give kisses!

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Oso sure does! Whether he's exploring the yard, going on walks, or taking a swim, this boy can't get enough! He would love to join an active, outdoorsy family who will take him on adventures!

Some random facts about Oso are he's house-trained, loves cheese, and did great meeting an older person in a wheelchair and elementary-aged kids!

If you'd like to meet the handsome, resilient Oso, please send an email to his foster at [email protected]. He never thought he'd have to start his life all over, but he's ready to do just that!

🐕: Oso takes some time to adjust to new dogs in the home, but he has and is currently successfully living with other dogs. The key is slow, proper introductions, consistency, and being fed meals and high-value treats apart from each other. Bring your dog(s) to meet him!
👫: Oso may do well with children who are respectful to dogs.
🐈: Oso has not lived with cats before. We don't know how he feels about them. We recommend very slow introductions, as he's a husky, and huskies tend to have very high prey drives.
🩺: Oso is 3 years old and weighs 65 pounds. He's neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
📍: Contact Oso's foster at [email protected] to set up a meet and greet! His adoption fee is $75.

07/29/2026

Each year at LuHowl, HSWC presents a very special award in memory of a very special woman, Jone Bowman. Jone loved life and possessed an enthusiastic and positive attitude that she passed along to everybody. She was encouraging, supportive, graceful, and one of the great ladies in our community. The Jone Bowman Champ award is given to an individual who has shown that passion for animals by working with HSWC to ensure every animal has a chance to flourish.

The winner of the 13th Annual Jone Bowman Champ Award is Kathy Dorwart! 🥳

Kathy Dorwart has been an invaluable volunteer at the Humane Society for nearly 15 years. Her unwavering dedication and consistent service have significantly enhanced the lives of our animals.

During her time at the shelter, Kathy has generously contributed an astounding 3,196 hours of volunteer service! This is more hours logged than any other volunteer!

She consistently comes in every Tuesday and Thursday, gowns up, gathers supplies, and cleans our Cat Holding room. This room is constantly evolving, as there are new animals, animals on quarantine, special behavioral and medical needs, and more. Kathy is always ready for the challenge.

Rain or shine, hot or cold, Kathy also walks our shelter dogs twice a week with her husband. This gives our dogs the exercise and socialization they need to keep their stress levels down and illness at bay.

Kathy can also be found in the shelter's prep room where she's doing dishes and laundry and making sure everything is moving as it should in the back of the shelter.

Kathy is reliable, kind, and comes in each day with a smile and positive attitude. Her volunteer efforts not only benefit the animals directly but also the overall operations of HSWC!

Reliable, compassionate, and deeply committed to making life better for animals, Kathy truly embodies everything the Jone Bowman Champ Award represents. Combined with her years of service and dedication to the animals of HSWC, she is the ideal recipient of this year’s award.

Please join us in congratulating Kathy Dorwart and thanking her for her dedication to the animals in our care!

07/28/2026

Another week, another group of kittens ready for adoption!

Fosters, please share your available kittens (and/or adult cats, if you've got 'em) in the comments!

Adopters, follow this post to be alerted when more kittens are listed in the comments! If you're seeing this post early, please check back later. It may take some time for fosters to see and comment on this post, but they will!

All come spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Kittens do best in pairs, so adopt two if you're able! Fosters will be able to answer questions in the comments.

07/27/2026

We can't wait to see everyone's submissions for the 20th Annual Art for the Animals fundraiser!! Be sure to stop in to Howard's Art and Frames to pick up your art board and get started today!

Today’s the day!!!!! Stop into Howard’s to grab your Art for the Animals boards! We can’t wait to see what you create this year!!

Humane Society Washington Co.

07/27/2026

If we didn't share Charcuterie's face online, there's a good chance you would never see her. This brown tabby girl spends her days hidden in the back of the box inside her kennel. It's the only place she feels safe, and she's terrified to leave it.

Charcuterie came to us 112 days ago along with her two-day-old kittens Brie, Fig Jam, and Pickles. She did a great job raising them in foster care with the kind people at Howard's Art and Frames (thank you!), and all of her babies have since found homes. It hasn't been as easy for Charcuterie to find a home, though. She's terrified of humans and still learning to trust them.

We've seen glimpses of the sweet girl Charcuterie is beneath all of her fear. She'll accept head pets. She let us invade her safe space to take this picture. And instead of hissing or swatting, she simply runs away.

Charcuterie needs someone who won't rush her to come around before she's ready. She needs someone who will give her all the time she needs to adjust, even if that means she hides when they're around. Most of all, Charcuterie needs someone who won't give up on her and will love her forever.

If you've got a calm, quiet home that Charcuterie can call her own and where she can feel safe and truly blossom, please come adopt her. She's ready to give it a try if you are. 🤎

🐕: Charcuterie is very, very timid. She may prefer a home without dogs or may do well with calm, respectful dogs with slow introductions.
👫: Charcuterie may do well with calm older children or teens who will respect her and give her time to adjust.
🐈: Charcuterie may do well with other cats. We recommend slow introductions.
🩺: Charcuterie is one and a half years old and weighs 7.6 pounds. She's spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
📍: Come meet Charcuterie today at 13011 Maugansville Road in Hagerstown, MD! Her adoption fee is just $5.

07/27/2026

Cauliflower has been failed by humans so many times. This girl needs a win and a true forever home. 🤞❤️