How do we change this?

VOTE

Tuesday, November 4th, 2014 is General Election Day 

Baltimore County Animal Services is an established entity to uphold the county's legal obligation to uphold specific county codes. All other shelters in Baltimore County have no legal obligation to the Baltimore County Government and ultimately their existence is optional. Why does this matter? Baltimore County Animal Services is a government funded and operated facility, therefore those who can ultimately make the NECESSARY changes at the shelter are our ELECTED OFFICIALS. Lucky for the animals, we are LESS THAN A MONTH away to vote on behalf of the animals.

So, now that you understand that you need to vote, which elected positions in Baltimore County should you focus on? Let's make this simple and break down Baltimore County's Government.

There are two essential components that allow for change in Baltimore County Laws and Codes; Baltimore County Executive & the Baltimore County Council.

First we will focus on the Baltimore County Council. Baltimore County is broken up into 7 districts. Therefore, there are 7 members of the Baltimore County Council.Your county council representative would be the ideal person to meet with if you were having ongoing issues in your local community within Baltimore County Government. Below is a general overview of each council's boundaries. To verify your district please click here. For a more direct description of the Baltimore County Council please click here.

Finally, there’s the Baltimore County Executive.Within Baltimore County, the County Executive is seen as having such power that it proceeds over the entire county. The county executive shall be the chief executive officer of the county and the official head of the county government  (Baltimore County Code, Article IV. Sec 402.). It can be concluded that the County Executive has the ultimate power to make the needed changes at the shelter. For more information about our current county executive please click here. 

So, November 4th is the big day. You're probably wondering who's running and who supports change at the shelter. This is where we are providing the following resources to hopefully answer those questions. CAPA for Maryland & PLEA. Lastly, make sure to contact your county executive and county council representative to see where they stand on creating complete reform at BCAS.

Three things you should know about Baltimore County Animal Services.

1. Where is Baltimore County Animal Services? 

• Baltimore County Animal Services is located in Baldwin, Maryland. Most Baltimore County residents do not know where the shelter is located or that it even exists.

2. Baltimore County Animal Services is an open admission shelter. 

• That means NO Baltimore County animal is ever turned away from the shelter regardless of health, age, breed or temperament.
• Baltimore County Animal Services must take in any animal that comes to their door. 

3. Baltimore County Animal Services provides two main services to the county. 

• Animal Control - office or department responsible for enforcing local ordinances relating to the control, impoundment, and disposition of animals.
• Animal Sheltering - temporary residence for owner surrendered animals, strays and administrative hold animals.
• Administrative Hold Animal - an animal that is being held from the owner's care; whether it was due to neglect and/or abuse by the owner or the county feels the animal's behavior is a risk to the community. Owners can agree to relinquish the animal to the county or follow the necessary steps laid out by the county attempting to maintain ownership of their animal.