OPINION:
Many local animal shelters are suffering from severe overcrowding. One of those shelters is our own local Prince George’s County (PGC) Animal Shelter, which has been experiencing this recurring urgent problem for some time. PGC is so severely over capacity that dogs must be euthanized almost weekly to make space for the new ones who are picked up as strays or surrendered by their owners.
In fact, the PGC Animal Shelter nearly ended 2024 with a tragic Christmas Eve with 35 dogs initially identified for euthanasia on Dec 24. So far in 2025, 75 dogs have been listed for euthanasia—most recently, 25 canines were scheduled for Feb. 4, and another 35 for Feb. 11.
To address these numbers tactically, adopters need to show up at the shelter as soon as possible, fosters need to immediately identify themselves to rescues, and more rescue groups need to respond to the urgent requests for support.
But why are these euthanasia lists recurring with such high numbers and such high frequency? Because there is a complex storm of factors at play: post-pandemic shifts, limited shelter resources, unregulated “backyard” breeding, economic hardships for homeowners, including home loss, a lack of low-cost and free spay/neuter programs and, perhaps most notably, Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) in which a broad group of dogs are prevented from being adopted or rescued within the community where they find themselves.
With every euthanasia list from PGC, volunteers and potential rescues, fosters, and adopters are given a seven-day window to scramble to find a home for these homeless, helpless, and sometimes disabled animals. The PGC Animal Shelter does what it can to give these animals their best chance for a new life, but they have limited space and resources and a seemingly endless supply of strays and surrenders whom they cannot refuse to take.
Thankfully, there are some organizations trying to garner attention to this critical issue. PB Proud is actively standing against BSL and rescues like Vindicated Pit Bull Rescue, LovePaws, and Laila’s Legacy are doing their best to help get dogs to safety through fosters, adopters and donors. In fact, earlier this week, Caitrin Conroy, the Co-Chair of Prince George’s County Animal Control Commission and Director of Prince George’s County Pet Unity Project addressed some of these issues at the Prince George’s County 2026FY Budget Listening Session.
Sadly, however, existing volunteer and rescue networks are strained as they also look to support other local shelters and their abilities to sponsor animals to safety is becoming limited. Volunteers also face emotional distress as they tirelessly look to find possible connections that can save these poor dogs within the limited time frames allotted. Mentally and emotionally, it’s a heavy burden to face time and again.
Complex problems mean multi-faceted solutions are necessary, ranging from individuals and rescue organizations to county and statewide efforts. Rescues and resources outside of PGC need to be tapped into. Backyard breeding needs to be traced and penalized. A public education campaign needs to be conducted so people understand that dog behavior is most influenced by an individual animal’s upbringing, training, and environment rather than its breed. Increased funding is necessary for spaying and neutering programs to go into effect to further reduce the animal population and costs associated with over-population control. PGC public leaders need to recognize that BSL actually drives the very conditions they are trying to avoid. And, most especially, BSL needs to be repealed so that the pool of potential adoption candidates can open and reduce the pressure on neighboring vicinities to pull off heroic feats of animal rescue.
Given the existing widespread pressure on animal shelters, foster networks, and rescues, anyone who has the means to volunteer, foster, or adopt is encouraged to do so.
For those who may feel particularly compassionate, please consider opening your home to the misunderstood dog breeds – they need love, too. PGC is consistently seeing the effects of limited resources and only a concerted effort can prevent these dogs from paying the ultimate price.
• Andrea Jaimes is one of many volunteers who are seeking better quality solutions for animals in our community - especially the ones under discrimination. Please feel free to follow the “Friends of PG County Animal Shelter” Facebook page for the latest information and updates.
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