SALISBURY, Md. - The Humane Society of Wicomico County is asking for foster homes, volunteers, adoptions and donations after taking in 43 dogs connected to an animal seizure case.
The shelter temporarily closed Friday while staff handled the intake and reopened during its normal business hours. Executive Director Kim Nock said the facility was already full before the dogs arrived, forcing the organization to quickly move 30 other dogs into emergency foster homes.
“We immediately had to move 30 of our dogs out of our shelter and into emergency foster so that we could intake the 43 dogs from the seizure,” Nock said.
The shelter has 40 indoor kennels and 13 outdoor kennels. Nock said all available space is currently occupied, including some of the outdoor kennels that the organization generally tries to avoid using for extended periods.
The sudden increase in animals has also placed additional pressure on staff and volunteers.
“We had a lot of staff get some overtime this week, and we have a lot of volunteers pitch in and help,” Nock said. “We could not have done it without them.”
Nock said the Humane Society will continue accepting animals from the community. However, owner surrenders may need to be scheduled, with more urgent situations receiving priority. In some cases, the organization may also help owners find adopters while the animal remains in its current home.
Most of the dogs connected to the seizure have been signed over to the Humane Society, according to Nock. Some animals may remain at the shelter while ownership questions or court proceedings are resolved.
Core volunteer Stephanie McFarland said volunteers help walk and feed the dogs, clean kennels and provide individual attention that shelter employees may not always have time to give.
“We get all the loving and the time with the dogs that sometimes the kennel staff don’t have time for,” McFarland said.
The shelter offers public dog walking beginning at 11 a.m. on most operating days. Volunteers who receive additional training can become core volunteers and help care for animals on Sundays, Mondays and holidays.
Nock said monetary donations are especially helpful as the organization prepares to begin construction on a new shelter. The Humane Society is also accepting foster applications and encouraging people to consider adopting one of the many dogs already available.
“Just come out and adopt,” Nock said. “Even if it’s not one of these dogs, we have a whole plethora of other dogs that are available.”
