HOW WE HELP
The Animal Welfare League of Frederick County is an all-volunteer animal rescue and welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community. We provide shelter, medical care, and adoption services for dogs, cats, and other small animals. Our mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals, prevent cruelty, and provide education to enhance the bond between animals and humans.
OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES
The Animal Welfare League of Frederick County offers a range of programs and services to support animal welfare in our community. From low-cost spay and neuter options to educational workshops on responsible pet ownership, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of animals and the people who love them.
Adoption Assistance
Our adoption assistance program helps match animals with loving families, providing support and resources to ensure a successful adoption experience for both the animals and their new owners.
Community Outreach
Through community outreach initiatives, we strive to raise awareness about animal welfare issues, promote responsible pet ownership, and foster compassion for all living beings.
Foster Care Program
Our foster care program provides temporary homes for animals in transition, offering care, socialization, and love until they are ready for adoption.
Medical Care Fund
Our medical care fund helps provide essential medical treatment and rehabilitation for animals in need, ensuring they have the best chance for a healthy and happy life.
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer various volunteer opportunities for animal lovers to contribute their time and skills, making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals awaiting their forever homes.
Humane Education
We believe in the power of education to create a more compassionate world. Our humane education programs teach children and adults about kindness, empathy, and respect for all living creatures.
Friends Helping Felines
The Friends Helping Felines (FHF) Program was created to help give people the means to spay and neuter homeless cats and kittens and place them in forever homes at those times when the Animal Welfare League’s foster program is filled to capacity. FHF participants will have access to reduced rates for routine veterinary care, including spay or neuter and rabies vaccination.
Once the cat is fully vetted (tested for feline leukemia/FIV, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, nails trimmed, and ears clean), participants may bring the cat to our Saturday office hours. Participants must stay with their cat during the adoption event.
How FHF Works:
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Call us at 301-663-5855 and ask to speak with our cat Friends Helping Felines Coordinator. Or just leave a message and we will call you back.
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Review program guidelines.
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During the conversation with the Friends Helping Felines Coordinator, you should be prepared with the following information:
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Gender, approximate age, breed/markings, temperament of cat(s)
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Location where cat was found and if you filed a lost report with Frederick County Animal Control
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General appearance and health of cat
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Once you have discussed your cat’s situation with the FHF coordinator, or another authorized representative of AWLFC who has authorized treatment, you will make an appointment with an approved low-cost clinic or veterinarian for appropriate treatments (spay/neuter, testing for feline leukemia/FIV, rabies vaccination, etc.).
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Depending on the age of the cat, we may ask you to bring it to the AWLFC office for evaluation. At this time, AWLFC will provide deworming and one distemper vaccination for $25.00.
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The cat must be kept indoors once it has been fully vetted and tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV.
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Once the cat is fully vetted, you will be able to bring it to our adoption events which take place on most Saturdays and Sundays at the AWLFC Adoption Center.
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You should supply us with a few digital photos and a brief bio on the cat which we will post to petfinder.com. People interested in adopting your cat will contact you directly via phone or email.
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If you choose to adopt your cat via AWLFC, you will be asked to use our adoption application and contract. We will help you with this process, including conducting an adoption interview. We will collect the standard adoption fee of $150/cat. Within 30 days, AWLFC will reimburse you up to $100 for the cost of the spay/neuter, rabies vaccine and Feline Leukemia/FIV test.
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If you choose to adopt the cat yourself or give it to a friend or colleague, without using the AWLFC process, that is your discretion.
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We ask that you advise us when the cat is adopted so that we may remove it from petfinder.com and Social Media.
Fixing Frederick’s Felines
TNR consists of trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning cats to their own environment. It is the only humane way to manager feral and free-roaming cat populations. Since our program began in 2001, we have helped hundreds of Frederick property owners, farmers, and homeowners manage feral and free-roaming cats.
Here are the basics of our program:
Complete the FFF agreement (found on our web site or by visiting our office). This agreement ensures us that you will continue to provide food and shelter for the cats once they have been sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to your property.
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Once we receive your agreement, the FFF Program Coordinator will contact you. She will train you in setting the humane traps or will handle the trapping for you, if necessary. She will also provide information on low-cost spay/neuter clinics in the area. She will work with you to determine which clinic would be best suited for you and your situation
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You are responsible for transporting cats to and from the clinic and for providing a safe location for the cats to recover in the trap at least 24 hours post-surgery.
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After the cat is recovered, it can be released back into its colony or home environment.
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Do you have feral or free-roaming cats on your property or in your neighborhood?
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Do you feed and provide shelter for stray cats?
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Does it seem like a new cat or kittens appear with some regularity?
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Would you like to help stop feline overpopulation and homelessness?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, please consider participating in Fixing Frederick’s Felines, the AWLFC’s Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) program.
Program Documents:
Clinic Information:
Additional Resources:
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Tip Me Frederick (for help with ferals)
Dog & Cat Food Bank
Our food distribution is dependent on donations received.
We limit distribution to 6 cans and one bag pet food regardless of the number of pets you have in your home. The sizes will vary depending on what we have available at the time. We may not always be able to able to supply you with specific food you request.
Our guidelines will remain the same:
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Proof of residence for Frederick County, Maryland
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It can be a driver license, a county or utility bill with your name and address on it or similar document.
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Food can only be given out to one household per month.
We suggest you check in with distribution at the following:
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Also, please check with county Food Banks, some will offer pet food to qualifying residents.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance for Veterinary Care
The AWLFC has limited funds to assist pet owners who need financial help to provide veterinary care for their pets. If you need assistance, please complete the Financial Assistance Form (PDF) and either email it to erinr@awlfc.org, mail, or drop it off to our office.
Spay/Neuter Assistance for Feral Cats
Please email info@awlfc.org for questions about spay/neuter assistance with outdoor and/or feral cats.