Hamilton Hills Neighborhood
Pets in Our Community
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Who doesn't love furry, cute animals?! But petting them as they walk by or visiting them at a friends' home can be very different from training and raising them in your home! Here are some resources on acquiring and owning a pet in Baltimore City. | |
Most households in the United States have at least one pet. Why do people have pets? There are many reasons. Some of the health benefits of pets are listed below.
Pets can increase your:
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Opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
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Opportunities for socialization
Pets can decrease your:
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Blood pressure
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Cholesterol levels
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Triglyceride levels
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Feelings of loneliness
Basic: General Baltimore City guidance on animal matters
(click on link to open)
Detailed: Baltimore Guidelines for Animals from the City Charter & Codes – Under Health – Title 10.
In summary:
Licensing requirement for cats & dogs in the City took effect in October 2000
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Licensing costs vary depending on whether your pet is spade/neutered
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Pet licenses can be obtained by a visit to the Baltimore City Municipal Animal Shelter (see address & map below)
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To obtain a pet license you must have the following:
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Proof of current rabies vaccination
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Info about your dog/can (you don’t have to bring your pet into the animal shelter)
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If you are claiming that they have been spade/neutered (allowing for less expensive licensing fee), proof of spade/neutering
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After licensing, you receive a tag (similar to the rabies tag) for your pet, proving that he/she is licensed in the city – put this on his/her collar for their own protection (if your pet escapes, it is one way to identify who he/she is!)
Pets are limited to 2/household by city regulations. More animals than this requires a kennel license.
Specific guidelines are detailed on humane care and treatment, including keeping your yard clean from pet waste. [Pet waste can attract rodents and also can severely increase the amount of bacteria in your yard/house. Many diseases can be avoided by keeping your pet's vaccinations up-to-date (rabies, Lyme's disease, distemper, Parvovirus, etc). However, it is also important to keep your pet bathed and your yard picked up to try to ensure that you and your family do not acquire anything undesired from your furry friend! Learn more about disease that can be passed from animals to humans.]
The city reserves the right to impound animals found to be in violation of city guidelines (typically this could be done for an animal that isn’t licensed or if you have a nuisance animal)
Various other provisions are detailed. See the city website for details.
Municipal Animal Shelter (no website available):
301 Stockholm Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 396-4688
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Pet Adoption (cat & dog)
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Accepts unwanted & lost animals
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Rabies vaccination clinics the first Saturday of every month - call for details
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Pet licensing
The Municiple Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. They accept charitable donations in the form of monetary and food (as long as the packaging isn't damaged.)
3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 235-8826
- Directions & map on their website -
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Pet Adoption (cat & dog)
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Accepts unwanted & lost animals
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Advice on animal care & training
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Basic Obedience training
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Pet licensing
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Spay/Neuter - For more information, see website or call 410-235-8826
The Maryland SPCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. They accept charitable donations in the form of money. Call and ask about other donations.
To report problems with animals in the neighborhood:
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Call 311 or use 311 on-line
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Write to the Director of Animal Control (Typically, the 311 line requests that you send a letter to animal control anyway since they will ultimately have to build a case up against a nuisance animal(s). They might also tell you that it is even better if several of your neighbors write letters too.)
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Make sure the neighborhood association is aware of a persistent problem - we can work to make sure that the city is taking care of it. (Either bring the problem up at a neighborhood association meeting or e-mail the president.)
Bob Anderson (Director of Animal Control)
Bureau of Animal Control
301 Stockholm St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
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