SURRENDER
When you find a stray animal or realize you can no longer care for your pet, it can be an overwhelming and emotional situation. This page is here to guide you through the next steps and help you understand how the Caroline County Humane Society can assist.
Whether you’ve found a lost animal that needs help or need information about safely surrendering your own pet, you’ll find the resources and instructions you need below.
Click the sections below to learn what to do and how we can work together to ensure every animal receives the care and support they deserve.
Found a Kitten?
Finding a kitten outside can be surprising and sometimes concerning. Your first instinct may be to pick the kitten up and bring them somewhere safe — but in many cases, the best thing you can do is pause and assess the situation first.
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Many kittens found outdoors are not abandoned. Their mother may simply be nearby searching for food or temporarily hiding from people.
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Before intervening, we encourage you to use the CASA method, which helps determine the best course of action for the kitten.
The CASA Method
When you find a kitten, consider four important factors:
​Condition
Look at the kitten’s overall health and appearance.
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Good Condition
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Clean and alert
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Well-fed and active
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Not in visible distress
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✓ A healthy kitten has likely been cared for recently by their mother.
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Poor Condition
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Dirty or covered in waste
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Very thin or weak
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Injured or in visible distress
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✓ These kittens may truly be orphaned and may need help right away.
Good Condition
Poor Condition
Age
A kitten’s age can help determine the best next step.
0–5 Weeks
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Wobbly or uncoordinated
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Eyes may be closed or baby blue
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Still nursing and dependent on their mother
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These kittens should stay with their mother whenever possible.
5–12 Weeks
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Playful and coordinated
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Walking, running, and exploring
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Eating solid food
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These kittens are within the ideal socialization window and may benefit from human care and socialization.
12+ Weeks
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Typically over 3 pounds
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No longer nursing
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More independent
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If these kittens are feral, they may be best served through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs.
Situation
Look at the environment around the kitten.
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Safe Situation
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Mother cat is present
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A caregiver is providing food
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The kittens have shelter
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Unsafe Situation
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No adult cat nearby for long periods
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The kitten is exposed to severe weather or hazards
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The kitten appears injured or in distress
Ability
Consider what resources are available to help.
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Ask yourself:
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Are you or someone you know able to foster the kitten temporarily?
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Does your local shelter or rescue have a program that can help?
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Are spay/neuter services available for the mother cat?
Every situation is different, and the goal is always to create the safest and most positive outcome for the kitten.
A Quick Reminder
Where there are kittens, there are usually cats.
Addressing the larger cat population through spay/neuter and TNR programs helps prevent future litters and reduces the number of kittens born outdoors.
Wait Before You Rescue
If a kitten appears healthy and is not in immediate danger, the best first step is often to wait and observe from a distance. Mother cats frequently leave their kittens for several hours at a time while they search for food. During this time, the kittens may appear alone, but their mother is usually nearby and will return once it is safe.
Before intervening, try the following:
Watch from a distance for 2–4 hours to see if the mother returns. Do not move the kittens right away, as this may prevent the mother from finding them. Keep people and pets away from the area while you observe. If the mother returns, the best outcome is usually to leave the kittens with her until they are old enough to be weaned. At that point, the family can be safely helped through spay/neuter and adoption programs.
What to Do If the Kitten Needs Help
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Sometimes kittens truly do need assistance. You may need to intervene if:
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The kitten appears injured, sick, or extremely weak
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The kitten is very young and crying continuously with no mother returning
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The kitten has been alone for many hours in unsafe conditions
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The kitten is in immediate danger from weather, traffic, or predators
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If you believe a kitten needs help:
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Place the kitten in a warm, quiet container with a towel or blanket.
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Avoid feeding cow’s milk, which can make kittens sick.
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Contact Caroline County Humane Society so we can help determine the best next steps.
In some cases, the best solution may be foster care, medical assistance, or helping reunite the kitten with their mother.
Still Not Sure What to Do?
If you have found a kitten and are unsure of the best next step, our team is here to help guide you. Please contact us before bringing the kitten to the shelter so we can help determine the best option for their care.
Caroline County Humane Society
Phone: 410-820-1600
Email: info@carolinehumane.org
Found a Dog?
If you have found a dog running loose or wandering in your neighborhood, thank you for wanting to help keep them safe.
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Unlike many outdoor cats, dogs should not be roaming freely in the community, and the first step when finding a stray dog is to Contact Animal Control so the dog can be properly documented and reunited with their owner if possible. Their phone number is 410-479-4007
First Step: Contact Animal Control
Please contact Animal Control as soon as possible at 410-479-4007 and provide:
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The location where the dog was seen or found
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A description of the dog (size, color, breed if known)
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Any information about the dog’s behavior or condition
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Animal Control keeps records of stray animals in the community. This helps track situations where dogs may be repeatedly escaping, neglected, or reported missing by their owners.
If you have only spotted the dog, Animal Control will typically take the information and follow up to attempt to pick the dog up.
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If you have secured the dog safely in your yard, home, or vehicle, Animal Control may ask to meet you at the shelter or another location to take custody of the dog.
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All stray dogs should go through Animal Control first so the dog can be properly documented and processed.
If You Are Able to Safely Contain the Dog
If the dog appears friendly and you are able to safely contain them while waiting for Animal Control, you can help by:
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Keeping the dog in a secure area such as a fenced yard, garage, or crate
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Providing fresh water
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Avoiding contact with your own pets until the dog’s health status is known
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Keeping handling calm and minimal to reduce stress
Never attempt to handle a dog that appears aggressive, frightened, or injured. In those cases, please contact Animal Control immediately and keep a safe distance.
Look for Signs of an Owner
While waiting for Animal Control, you may be able to gather helpful information.
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Check for:
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Collar tags
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License tags
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Distinctive collars or harnesses
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You may also consider:
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Posting on local lost and found pet pages
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Checking community social media groups
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Asking nearby neighbors if they recognize the dog
Many lost dogs are reunited with their families quickly through community posts.
Why Animal Control Is Important
Having stray dogs reported through Animal Control allows the county to:​
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Track lost dog reports
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Identify repeat escape situations
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Investigate possible neglect concerns
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Ensure dogs are handled safely and legally
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This process helps protect both the animals and the community.
We’re Here to Help
We understand that finding a stray dog can feel urgent and sometimes overwhelming. Reporting the dog through Animal Control helps ensure the dog is handled safely and gives them the best chance of being reunited with their family.If you have questions about a dog you have found, our team is always happy to help guide you through the next steps.
Found a Cat?
If you have found a cat in your neighborhood or on your property, thank you for caring enough to help. Many cats who appear to be stray may actually belong to someone nearby or be part of a managed outdoor cat population.
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Before bringing the cat to the shelter, there are a few important steps you can take to help determine the best next step for the cat.
First: Does the Cat Need Help?
Not every cat found outside is lost or homeless. Many owned cats spend time outdoors, and some community cats live safely in their neighborhoods with the support of residents.
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Take a moment to observe the cat.
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Consider the following:
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Does the cat appear healthy and well-fed
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Does it seem comfortable outdoors?
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Does the cat return to the same location regularly?
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Does it seem familiar with the area?
If the cat appears healthy and comfortable in its environment, it may already have a home or caretaker nearby.
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Before bringing the cat to the shelter, there are a few important steps you can take to help determine the best next step for the cat.
Look for an Ear Tip
One of the most important things to check for is an ear tip.
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An ear tip is when the tip of one ear has been cleanly removed. This is a universal sign that the cat has been through a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.
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Ear-tipped cats have typically:
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Been spayed or neutered
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Received vaccinations
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Been returned to live safely outdoors as part of a community cat colony
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These cats are not lost and should generally remain in their outdoor home unless they appear sick or injured.
Steps to Help Find the Owner
If the cat does not have an ear tip and seems friendly or out of place, it may belong to someone.
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Please try the following steps before bringing the cat to the shelter:
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Check for collar tags
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Ask neighbors if they recognize the cat
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Post the cat on local lost and found pet pages
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Check community Facebook groups
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Contact Animal Control to see if a similar cat has been reported missing
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Bring the cat to a veterinary clinic or the shelter to be scanned for a microchip
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Many lost pets are reunited quickly when these steps are taken.
If You Are Temporarily Caring for the Cat
If the cat remains in your area while you search for an owner, you can help keep it safe by:
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Providing fresh water
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Offering food if the cat appears hungry
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Giving the cat a safe, quiet place such as a porch, garage, or spare room if needed
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Keeping the cat separate from your pets
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Even short-term care can make a big difference while an owner is being located.
Bringing a Found Cat to the Shelter
If you have taken the steps above and an owner cannot be located, please call the shelter before bringing the cat in.
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Due to space and staffing limitations, we can only accept cats that:
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Are friendly or able to be safely handled
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Can safely receive medical care and daily handling
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Cats that are completely feral or unable to be handled do not do well in a shelter environment. However they may be a candidate for our TNR program which will allow them to safely remain outside. Our team will talk with you about the cat and help determine the best next step.
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When you call, it is helpful if you can provide:
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The location where the cat was found
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Approximately how long the cat has been in the area
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Any observations about the cat’s behavior
We're Here to Help
We understand that finding a stray cat can be confusing and sometimes stressful. Our goal is to help guide you through the best steps for the cat while keeping space available for animals who truly need shelter care.
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If you have questions about a cat you have found, please contact us before bringing the cat to the shelter.
Surrendering Your Pet
We understand that surrendering a pet is never an easy decision.
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Life circumstances can change in ways we don’t expect. Housing challenges, financial hardship, medical issues, allergies, or family changes can sometimes make it difficult to keep a beloved pet.
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Our goal is always to support both the animals and the people who care about them. Before surrendering your cat to the shelter, we encourage you to consider a few options that may allow your cat to remain in a home environment while you find them a new family.
Surrendering Your Cat
Consider Rehoming Your Cat First
For many cats, moving directly from one home to another can be far less stressful than entering a shelter environment. Rehoming your pet yourself also allows you to be involved in choosing the next family for them.
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Some options to consider include:
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Asking friends, family members, or coworkers if they may be able to adopt your cat
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Posting in local rehoming or community Facebook groups
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Sharing your cat through trusted pet rehoming platforms such as:
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Home to Home
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Adopt-a-Pet
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These platforms allow you to create a profile for your pet and connect directly with potential adopters in your community.
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We have also included a helpful guide on how to safely and successfully re-home your pet:
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A Guide to Rehoming Your Pet Responsibly - The Animal Foundation
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Taking the time to explore these options may help your cat transition directly into another loving home.
When Surrendering Your Cat Is the Best Option
If you have tried the options above and are still unable to keep or rehome your cat, we are here to help.
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To surrender a cat to the shelter, please call us first to schedule an intake appointment. This helps ensure we have the space and staff available to properly care for your pet when they arrive.
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Before bringing your cat to the shelter, we ask that you complete our Cat Surrender Form, which helps us gather important information about your pet.
This form includes details such as:
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Personality and temperament
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Likes and dislikes
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Medical history
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Behavior around people, children, and other animals
This information helps our team better care for your cat and find the most appropriate adoptive home.
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You can complete the form:
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Online before contacting the shelter (we will follow up once the form is received), o
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In person at the shelter during the intake process
Surrendering Your Dog
Consider Rehoming Your Dog First
Rehoming your dog yourself allows you to be involved in choosing their next home and helps reduce stress on your dog during the transition.
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Some options to consider include:
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Reaching out to friends, family members, coworkers, or neighbors
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Posting in local community or rehoming groups on Facebook
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Creating a profile for your dog on trusted rehoming platforms such as:
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Home to Home
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Adopt-a-Pet
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These platforms allow you to create a profile for your pet and connect directly with potential adopters in your community.
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We have also included a helpful guide on how to safely and successfully re-home your pet:
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A Guide to Rehoming Your Pet Responsibly - The Animal Foundation
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Taking the time to explore these options may help your dog transition directly into another loving home.
Contacting Rescues
Another option to consider is reaching out to animal rescues, especially breed-specific rescues.
Many rescues focus on particular breeds or types of dogs and have networks of foster homes experienced with those breeds. In some cases, these rescues may be able to assist with placement or provide guidance.
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Searching online for rescues that specialize in your dog’s breed can often lead to additional rehoming opportunities.
When Surrendering Your Dog Is the Best Option
If you have explored the options above and are still unable to keep or rehome your dog, we are here to help.
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To surrender a dog to the shelter, please call us first to discuss your situation and schedule an intake appointment.
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Because space for dogs is limited, there is often a waitlist for owner surrenders. Calling ahead allows us to determine availability and plan for your dog’s arrival.
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Before bringing your dog to the shelter, we ask that you complete our Dog Surrender Form. This form helps us gather important information about your dog so we can provide proper care and find the best possible adoptive home.
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The form includes information such as:
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Personality and temperament
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Behavior around people, children, and other animals
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Training and house manners
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Medical history
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Likes, dislikes, and daily routines
This information helps our staff and volunteers better understand your dog and set them up for success.
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The form can be completed:
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Online before contacting the shelter (we will follow up once the form is received), or
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In person at the shelter during the intake process