Animal Shelter Looks for Volunteers and Help

Before their meeting, the members of College Park’s Animal Welfare Committee chat about the animals they care for, about how cute and spunky Tiny is and the update on Tiger’s adoption.

But an inadequate shelter and lack of volunteers has committee members worried about the future of these animals they love.

 A larger shelter would allow for more animals, in a county were 85 percent of cats and 65 percent of dogs are put down the same day they arrive at the Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, board members said.

Board members said that many College Park residents are unaware of this fact, or that the shelter even exists, so handing out fliers and educating residents is one of their main goals.

“We really need people in College Park to be aware of what we’re doing,” Harriet McNamee said.

Educating the College Park community and trying to get more people involved is one of their top priorities.

The board has made progress with renovations to their shelter, which now has running hot water.

But there is still more work to be done, and the board expects it to be a long process.

“Obviously this isn’t something that is going to happen overnight,” McNamee said.

The shelter is at least 50 years old and was built as a temporary holding facility for out-of-use parking meters.

 Never meant to be a shelter, the building’s capacity is only 12 animals.

 However, the group has found alternative ways to help animals that arrive at its shelter. 

One of these alternatives is putting cats in foster homes, but the committee is having trouble finding foster homes and needs more volunteers.

The four cats in foster care are being fostered by board members.

The animal control officer, Vivian Cooper, who also runs the shelter, fosters three of the four cats and said she can’t take anymore. 

“The inn is closed,” she joked.

The group has also joined with a local Petco, a chain that sells pets and pet supplies, which puts some of the cats on display for adoption. 

This year, Petco has helped 13 pets get adopted through the program.

Even with these alternatives, the shelter is still pressed for space.

“There’s only so much magic you can do,” Cooper said.

The committee has brought the issue before the City Council, and three of the council members decided to tour the building, which helped lead to the addition of the hot running water.

 One council member also suggested looking into a nonprofit contractor to help with the shelter.

The shelter is also in need of donations, including towels, blankets, kitten food and laundry detergent.

To volunteer or contact the shelter, call Vivian Cooper at the City of College Park Animal Control, 240-487-3570.