What Type of Pet Can You Expect to Find at a Shelter?
Dogs
In the US, we keep an estimated 70 million dogs. Less than 5% of dogs end up in a shelter at some point in their lives. They may be returned to their owners, impounded as dangerous or as part of investigations or offered for adoption. Most of these are normal young dogs in need of basic training or middle aged dogs whose family has fallen on hard times. A quarter of dogs in shelters are purebred, about the same portion as the general pet population. In just the last year we've had a Weimaraner, a Giant Schnauzer, Golden Doodle and many Shih Tzus, Beagles, Retrievers and Chihuahuas. We also get a sizeable number of terrier-type dogs.
Cats
The number of cats that keep their homes is far lower. Many cats are allowed access to the outdoors where they become lost. Many pet cats are not spayed and neutered in time to prevent unwanted kittens. We have so many kittens during the summer we cannot find homes for all of them. We also receive purebred cats including Siamese, Himalayan, Maine Coons, Snowshoes and Rex Cats. This year we also admitted an Exotic Shorthair and a Bengal.
Other Pets
Frederick County Animal Control Center also has small mammals, birds, reptiles and farm animals for adoption on occasion.