Defenders of Animal Rights Inc

Defenders of Animal Rights Inc We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating cruelty to all animals. Founded in 1975, we celebrate our 47th Anniversary this year!
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Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc., is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating cruelty to all animals. In 1988, our shelter opened in the middle of a 35.8 acre wildlife sanctuary in Northern Baltimore County.What makes Defenders so unique is that we hold adoptable animals for as long as it takes to find each and every one a forever home. We have adopted out over 30,000 animals! Mailing Address:
Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc. PO Box 25
Phoenix, MD 21131

09/07/2023

Anyone in need of pallets?? We usually have a few hanging around from deliveries...now we have around 13 that need a new home or purpose. Please give us a call to set up a pick up time! 😀

Summer vacation may be over, but the heat isn’t letting up! Today, Wally’s sharing some heat safety tips he learned duri...
09/06/2023

Summer vacation may be over, but the heat isn’t letting up! Today, Wally’s sharing some heat safety tips he learned during his time in the southern states. Stay cool, everyone!

⭐ SENIOR PUP IN NEED!!! ⭐Meet Paige! This lovely 13 year old Boxer Mix steals the hearts of literally everyone she meets...
09/06/2023

⭐ SENIOR PUP IN NEED!!! ⭐

Meet Paige! This lovely 13 year old Boxer Mix steals the hearts of literally everyone she meets. We adopted out Paige 5 years ago, but she unfortunately was surrendered to animal control due to her anxious behavior. Winding up back in the shelter system certainly hasn't helped with that. We're keeping her as comfortable and calm as we can until she finds a family to settle down with.

Paige is a wonderful dog. She suffers from separation anxiety, yes, but her positive traits greatly outweigh her "quirks." This old dog is housebroken, does well with certain other dogs, and makes friends with every person she meets. She settles down sooooo nicely when she gets to hang out with her people and loves to cuddle.

We are VERY eager to get Paige out of here. We love getting to see her every day, but we know she will be much, much happier with her own bed, her own home, and her own family. ❤️ So please, call us at 410-527-1466 with any questions and share this post to spread Paige's story.

Our Dog of the Week is Cameron! Actually, Cameron’s more like our Dog of the Year. We adore this guy, as has everyone th...
09/05/2023

Our Dog of the Week is Cameron! Actually, Cameron’s more like our Dog of the Year. We adore this guy, as has everyone that has ever met him. His masses of adoring fans don’t understand why he STILL hasn’t been adopted.

Cam is 7 years old and full of life and energy. He wants nothing more than to be surrounded by people that love him. While Cameron has done well with dogs previously, we think he’d do best as the only animal in the household. Any family interested in adopting should have older children.

Call 410-527-1466 for more info!

It's hard to believe that Molly has been with us for nearly two years and still hasn't found her forever home. She came ...
09/02/2023

It's hard to believe that Molly has been with us for nearly two years and still hasn't found her forever home. She came to us in a suspected neglect case, but right from the start, she was social, friendly, and eager to get to know us.

Having lived in a shelter for so long, she's had to learn to be independent and make her own fun. Her favorite thing to do is sit on her tower and watch all the people that pass through "her" lobby. 😉 Playing with toys, chasing around bugs, and getting zoomies across the room are some of her other favored pastimes.

Molly is about 6 years old. She tolerates the other cats as best as she's able and would likely do the same with a canine companion. She'd be happy to have a young human sibling as long as they know to respect her space. She's just a little particular about how often she is touched and held, like most cats!

Give us a call for any questions about Molly at 410-527-1466. Happy !!

This school season is back in full swing and Wally is excited and ready to learn!!! Well... we don't think dogs can enro...
08/30/2023

This school season is back in full swing and Wally is excited and ready to learn!!! Well... we don't think dogs can enroll in school, but Wally has the spirit and that's all that matters.

We are RESTOCKED!  We send our sincere appreciation to everyone who donated.  You are the BEST! 😍YIKES!  😺Our supplier i...
08/29/2023

We are RESTOCKED! We send our sincere appreciation to everyone who donated. You are the BEST! 😍

YIKES! 😺Our supplier is unsure when our clay litter will be back in stock! Any chance you can help us out? Our cats and kittens use non-clumping, unscented clay litter. (Any brand will work!) Even one bag would help! Thank you so much! 🐾

Don't let those sad puppy dog eyes fool you!  This is Danny, a 2 year old, 10 lb male domestic shorthair. He may look wi...
08/29/2023

Don't let those sad puppy dog eyes fool you! This is Danny, a 2 year old, 10 lb male domestic shorthair. He may look wistful and reserved, but he's actually a very happy, friendly, and affectionate kitty. 😍

Danny was seen hanging around outside downtown for quite a while before he was whisked inside during the most recent big thunderstorm. While he was inside, he did very well with the resident cats and dog. His rescuer noted missing fur and lots of scarring as well as fresh wounds on his body-- but he's an extremely easygoing guy despite his clearly troublesome past. He loves nothing more than a can of wet food and a comfy covered bed or big box to take his naps in. Danny even comes with an adoring social media following that's been invested in his progress. ❤️❤️

Due to Danny's rough past, he has a medical condition that would require him to be the only cat in the household. For more info, please give us a call at 410-527-1466.

⭐️ Cooper is our Dog of the Week! ⭐️Cooper is an awesome hound mix that originally came to us from Georgia. He was adopt...
08/28/2023

⭐️ Cooper is our Dog of the Week! ⭐️

Cooper is an awesome hound mix that originally came to us from Georgia. He was adopted out, but unfortunately was returned to us due to circumstances outside of his control. His former family has nothing but love for Coop as well as plenty of helpful tips and anecdotes for future adopters.

This handsome fella is just a great dog all around. He does well with other dogs and children and is a great listener— he’s even got some commands under his belt and is always eager to learn more!

Like most dogs his size, Cooper enjoys plenty of exercise and enrichment. Hanging out in an enclosed yard, walking around on leash and taking in all the smells, and playing with his favorite toys are great ways to provide that basic need. Above all, he is a complete sweetie that loves to cuddle and hang out with his people.

Coop is 3 years old and 72 pounds. His DNA test can be provided upon request. For any further questions, please call 410-527-1466!

08/26/2023

National Dog Day fell on a Caturday this year? Oh well, it's a two for one deal...! This one goes out all the canine companions we're lucky enough to be able to care for here at Defenders. ❤️🥰❤️ We spend most of our time at work with these guys and we couldn't ask for better colleauges.

Pictured: Misty, Kyle, Junior, Tommy, and Cooper

It's finally Caturday and we're highlighting the sweet and social 1 year old Mariska! ❤️❤️This young lady is one of the ...
08/26/2023

It's finally Caturday and we're highlighting the sweet and social 1 year old Mariska! ❤️❤️

This young lady is one of the first cats to meet people in the communal cat rooms. She loves a good lap to sit on, and she's comfortable being held. Mariska would be the perfect feline companion for watching a movie on the couch, working from home, or sleeping in on a lazy weekend morning. She's fine with the other cats, but more than anything, she really really likes making new human friends.

Come by and let Mariska charm you! We're open 10-1 today.

Wally is determined to make the most out of these last few days of summer!!! He spent the day hanging out by the pool, e...
08/23/2023

Wally is determined to make the most out of these last few days of summer!!! He spent the day hanging out by the pool, enjoying the nice temperatures and hazy sunshine. ☀️

Wally is hoping that by next summer, he’ll have family of his own to make memories and share adventures with. Your likes and shares on his posts help us get closer to finding his forever home! 🥰

✨✨ This week’s Dog of the Week is…. TOMMY!!! ✨✨This handsome fella has been in our care since March of this year with al...
08/21/2023

✨✨ This week’s Dog of the Week is…. TOMMY!!! ✨✨

This handsome fella has been in our care since March of this year with almost NO interest. No visitors, no potential adopters. We get it— he’s beefy, strong, and active, which is not for everyone. Take a deeper look and you’ll see he’s just a total lovebug with a huge desire to please people. He LOVES going on walks, playing fetch, and gnawing on bones. You know, the simple things in life. Tommy is sure to be an amazing, loyal partner for anyone able to see the softer side of him.

For more info on Tommy Boy, check out his page on our website: https://adopt-a-pet.org/tommy/

Or give us a call at 410-527-1466!

☄️⭐☄️ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!!  ☄️⭐☄️Franklin (Orange, 14 years) and Mitten (Brown, 16 years) are the oldest kitties available...
08/20/2023

☄️⭐☄️ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!! ☄️⭐☄️

Franklin (Orange, 14 years) and Mitten (Brown, 16 years) are the oldest kitties available for adoption in our care right now. They're sharing a nice, big, quiet room in the back of our shelter. While they're comfortable and happy, these cuties would much rather spend their golden years in a forever home with a family of their own. Giving a loving home to a senior animal for however long they have left is one of the most admirable ways to help rescue animals.

Franklin is very social and sweet. He comes up to greet us every morning to give us some love before we start our work day. Mitten is curious and active. She will stick by your side often and always be there when you're ready to sit down and cuddle.

Please give us a call at 410-527-1466 if you have any questions about their medical history or are interested in paying them a visit!

The word from this little bird is that she hopes you have a lovely Caturday and that you pay her a visit at the Petsmart...
08/19/2023

The word from this little bird is that she hopes you have a lovely Caturday and that you pay her a visit at the Petsmart in Timonium!! Sadly, our friend here has been trying to win hearts down at the store's adoption center for over a month now with no luck.

Birdie is a 6 year old cutie that was surrendered to our shelter with her housemate. She's a total sweetheart with a great personality and the perfect temperament. She's equally affectionate and independent. You'll never have to worry yourself wondering when Birdie is hungry or lonely or needs her litterbox tended to-- this chatty lady will be sure to tell you herself. :)

After our standard wellness checks it was determined Birdie needs to be on a special prescription diet to prevent the formation of urinary crystals. If you have any questions about her or her medical history, give us a call at 410-527-1466!

Wally wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone of just how handsome he is! Between the power outages and a ver...
08/17/2023

Wally wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone of just how handsome he is! Between the power outages and a very busy week for adoptions, Wally took time out of his busy schedule to grace the staff with his presence to help with our motivation. And boy, did he help!

Wally is still available for adoption, and next week we will return to our regularly programmed Wally Wednesday!

Cats currently available for adoption either at our shelter or at the Petsmart in Timonium. Updated 8/16/2023
08/17/2023

Cats currently available for adoption either at our shelter or at the Petsmart in Timonium. Updated 8/16/2023

ADOPTED!!Oliiiiiivia! This cute girl hitched a ride on the transport van from Georgia as a final hour addition to get he...
08/16/2023

ADOPTED!!

Oliiiiiivia! This cute girl hitched a ride on the transport van from Georgia as a final hour addition to get her to safety. Olivia is a 1-year-old, 65-pound, female German Shepherd. She's still got alllllllllll of her puppy energy.

While she can be excitable, all Olivia wants is someone to put the time and patience and effort into her that she deserves. She doesn't want to be ignored, so she barks loud. She flips her water bowl. She jumps up at the kennel doors when you walk by. At a passing glance, these behaviors may seem irritating to most-- a sign of a stubborn, troublesome dog. But what this truly shows us is that Olivia doesn't want to fade into the background. She's hoping that the right person will walk through and notice something in her so that she can get what she's always wanted... a home of her own and a family that loves her and believes in her.

She's a super smart, motivated, eager dog. She knows a few tricks already and is happy to perform for a treat or two. She walks on the leash well and is even housebroken!!!

Olivia has been reported to do well with other dogs and kids, and has shown no reactivity to the cats in the shelter. Obedience training will benefit her greatly and help her gain the confidence she needs to carry herself well. Please call 410-527-1466 for more information on this sweet girl!

08/15/2023

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we are going to be without power for the rest of the day. We will be officially closed at 2:30. Thank you for your understanding!

ADOPTED!!!Fran is ringing in this Caturday with her signature raspy meows! We can't believe this girl hasn't been adopte...
08/12/2023

ADOPTED!!!

Fran is ringing in this Caturday with her signature raspy meows!

We can't believe this girl hasn't been adopted yet. Fran is super talkative, very social, and incredibly affectionate. Not to mention how adorable she is... seriously, she's the total package, especially for first time cat owners. She's the kind of cat that's going to want to follow you around the house and sit by your side wherever you are. She's good with kids and doesn't mind the other cats too much.

Come by and meet Fran 10-4 on weekdays and 10-1 on Saturday!

The right adopter for Miss Sonja is patient and gentle, understanding that pups like her may need to take some time to f...
08/11/2023

The right adopter for Miss Sonja is patient and gentle, understanding that pups like her may need to take some time to feel comfortable. While she is very shy, once she warms up and starts to let her guard down, she is one of the sweetest, most affectionate, and loyal dogs you'll ever meet. She actually has a super goofy personality and looooves spending time outside in the fenced yard. Sonja does need to be the only dog in the household.

Want to help this sweet girl find a place to settle down? Share this post to your friends and call 410-527-1466 for more information. 💚

Some of you have noticed there was no post for Wally Wednesday yesterday...! Lately, we have been pretty short staffed a...
08/10/2023

Some of you have noticed there was no post for Wally Wednesday yesterday...! Lately, we have been pretty short staffed and unusually busy, leaving not a lot of time for social media. Fortunately though, Wally helped us pick up some slack in the office to keep things moving along. He's not so great at sending emails and signing paperwork but his customer service skills are top-notch. Somebody put this guy on the payroll!

08/09/2023
Junior has had a long, tiring journey to get where he is now, and he's just desperate to find a quiet home to settle dow...
08/08/2023

Junior has had a long, tiring journey to get where he is now, and he's just desperate to find a quiet home to settle down in. We pulled Junior from a shelter in Georgia where he was surrendered by his owners after they divorced. He was also undesirable to them as breeders because were unable to sell him. He ended up at the shelter where he was met with loving arms and quickly became a staff favorite. We ended up taking Junior in to protect him from euthanasia as southern shelters quickly become overcrowded and are forced to make tough decisions.

This adorable guy is a 1-year-old, 54 lb Catahoula Mix. He's an extremely gentle soul who remains loving and affectionate, even after everything he's been through. Understandably, it can take Junior a little bit of time to warm up and become fully comfortable. He'll need a bit of patience from interested adopters to show his true personality. It's obvious to us, though, that all he really wants is to be loved. Junior likes to be pet, enjoys spending time outside, and absolutely loves hot dogs. Actually, hot dogs just may be the key to winning his heart. It's the one thing he'll eat out of our hands!

Junior has not officially been tested with other dogs but seems to do well near them and isn't reactive in the kennel. He would likely do well in a home with only older kids that have experience being around dogs and understand their boundaries.

Give us a call to learn more about Junior at 410-527-1466!

ADOPTED!!!This absolute heartthrob is named Dewey and he came to us from Georgia just about a month ago! He is a 5 year ...
08/08/2023

ADOPTED!!!

This absolute heartthrob is named Dewey and he came to us from Georgia just about a month ago! He is a 5 year old, 62 lb Shepherd Mix.

Dewey is a super chill and well-mannered pup. His leash manners are impeccable, and he's got a very confident demeanor! He was a little bit stubborn at first as he adjusted to the new kennel environment, but he has really softened up a lot and is starting to show us how much he just wants to be loved.

Dewey isn't the type of dog that is going to jump up on you and beg for affection, but he's always happy to be pet and hang out with people. Overall, he's fairly independent. He loves chewing up Nylabones to pass the time in his kennel, but never chews up things he shouldn't, like his bed or his blanket!

We haven't tested him with other animals, but he seems to be selective of who he likes and has a preference for female dogs. Give us a call at 410-527-1466 for more info!

08/07/2023

Update: We are here and we have power!!!

We'll be out of here at 3 today to allow us to get home before the inclement weather. Check back on this page for any updates about our hours tomorrow depending on our power situation!

Adoptable Homer and Glenda got to wreak havoc in our office with a little playdate this weekend! They had an absolute bl...
08/07/2023

Adoptable Homer and Glenda got to wreak havoc in our office with a little playdate this weekend! They had an absolute blast and were super tuckered out afterwards. It can be hard to find time for these moments in a busy shelter environment, but seeing the pure wholesome joy of these dogs really reminds us what it's all about. Hope you enjoy these goofy pictures to start your week. 💖🥰

Happy Caturday! Our rooms are full of sweet cats and kittens looking for homes. We're open 10-4 on weekdays and 8-1 on S...
08/05/2023

Happy Caturday! Our rooms are full of sweet cats and kittens looking for homes. We're open 10-4 on weekdays and 8-1 on Saturday to do adoptions.

Your new best friend is waiting for you! 💖

08/05/2023

Junior, 1 year old Male Catahoula Mix

Wally is casting out a line in hopes to catch your heart! Help our handsome fisherman reel in his forever family by shar...
08/02/2023

Wally is casting out a line in hopes to catch your heart! Help our handsome fisherman reel in his forever family by sharing to your facebook friends💙🐟🌊

We love playing matchmaker! 😍 Are you ready to adopt?  Having trouble finding that special pet?  Please give us a call a...
08/01/2023

We love playing matchmaker! 😍
Are you ready to adopt? Having trouble finding that special pet? Please give us a call and we'll get all the details of what you are looking for. Dog? Cat? Small animal? Certain breed? Certain size? Good with other pets/kids? Couch potato? Hiking buddy? Whatever! We will take down all your specifics and be sure that you comply with our adoption requirements. We will then contact you when we have your personalized match! 💕 Hope to hear from you soon.

It's  !! It's no secret that we're mutt lovers here at Defenders. Today, we celebrate all of our loveable companions tha...
07/31/2023

It's !! It's no secret that we're mutt lovers here at Defenders. Today, we celebrate all of our loveable companions that have a unique history and lineage. Give a shout-out to your mixed breed pup in the comments!

07/31/2023

🐾Now accepting applications for p/t or f/t Animal Care Techs! We are in need of some extra help! Please email resumes to [email protected] or call us at 410-527-1466 to complete a phone interview.
-18 years or older, please.
-Job includes heavy cleaning, caring for animals, and assisting the
public.
-Must have own transportation.

We love our communal adoption rooms because they allow us to get to know our cats better and see how they interact with ...
07/30/2023

We love our communal adoption rooms because they allow us to get to know our cats better and see how they interact with each other. Sometimes, unlikely friendships are made. Like with 1 year old Peter and 3 month old Barry!

We usually keep adult cats and kittens separate, but our kitten room underwent some maintenance recently and everyone had to be housed together. That's when Peter met Barry and they've been like brothers ever since!

EDIT: Barry has been pulled to treat an eye infection. Please check back to see when he will be available to adopt again!

Happy Caturday!Meet Linder, a 5-year-old female domestic shorthair. Please note her beautiful pink nose, perfectly round...
07/29/2023

Happy Caturday!

Meet Linder, a 5-year-old female domestic shorthair. Please note her beautiful pink nose, perfectly round belly, and soft coat that she keeps in immaculate condition. She's well aware of her cuteness! She'll even flop over to show you her tummy. If you're brave, she might allow you to pet it... if you're worthy.

She's a great cat-- very relaxed, easygoing, and sociable. She doesn't love living in a room full of other cats, but would likely tolerate one or two in a home setting. Like all of us, she appreciates her personal space and "me time."

Come meet Linder 10-1 today or 10-4 on weekdays!

07/27/2023

Cats currently available for adoption either at our shelter or at the Petsmart in Timonium. Updated 7/20/2023

Wally Man is making the most of the dog days of summer despite the heat! We played fetch in this nice shady run where he...
07/26/2023

Wally Man is making the most of the dog days of summer despite the heat! We played fetch in this nice shady run where he got to show off his tennis ball snatching skills. If it can be thrown, this dog can catch it!

This just goes to show that Wally enjoys the simple things in life. A nice game of ball in a short break on a hectic day is just enough for him to feel satisfied. You can bet that he had a nice meal and settled down for a nap afterwards. 😌

As always, please reach out if you're interested in giving Wally a forever home. 💖 410-527-1466

ADOPTED!! Meet Cookie! And yes, this girl is just as sweet as her name implies. Cookie is a 4-year-old Hound/Cattle Dog ...
07/26/2023

ADOPTED!!

Meet Cookie! And yes, this girl is just as sweet as her name implies.

Cookie is a 4-year-old Hound/Cattle Dog mix. She came to us from down south where she was originally surrendered for being "too active." However, we find Cookie to be the perfect mix of relaxed and energetic! She loves when she gets a chance to go out and run around in the yard, but she also settles down nicely in her kennel. Chewing on a Nylabone is her favorite down time activity-- she could sit there and gnaw all dang day.

Cookie can sometimes be a little hesitant with people, but generally, she's very trusting and affectionate. She's a great listener, knows some basic tricks, and is housebroken! Unfortunately, she is reactive to other dogs. For her comfort and safety, she'll need to be the only dog in the household an experienced owner.

To learn more about Cookie, please give us a call at 410-527-1466.

Timmy is everyone's favorite tripod!!! Yes, this adorable boy only has three legs, but he's never let it get in his way....
07/25/2023

Timmy is everyone's favorite tripod!!! Yes, this adorable boy only has three legs, but he's never let it get in his way. With the way he runs and plays, you'd think he was born like that!

This little man is a total fireball. He never really got to be a puppy-- poor guy spent his formative months on the streets just trying to survive, then spent late puppyhood recovering from his amputation surgery. Because of this, he's a little under-socialized and excitable. We definitely recommend some obedience training to help encourage good behavior! At his core, Timmy is an amazing dog. He just wants love and comfort and to please the people around him. He is so playful and goofy and loving!

Timmy has shown some reactivity to other dogs in the shelter. Due to this, we believe he'd do best as the only dog in the household at this time.

Can you help Timmy reach his full potential and give him the comfy life he deserves? Give us a call at 410-527-1466!

Looking for the perfect dog to add to your family and integrate with your resident animals? Homer is sure to check off e...
07/25/2023

Looking for the perfect dog to add to your family and integrate with your resident animals? Homer is sure to check off everything on your wishlist!

✅ Good with most other dogs
✅ Respectful of cats
✅ LOVES children
✅ Gentle, loving, and eager to please

All that AND he's an adorable cocoa marbled pouty pittie? Say less.

Homer is ready to go home now-- what are you waiting for? Call for more info on this cutie at 410-527-1466 or visit our shelter in Phoenix, MD to meet him!

Address

14412 Old York Road
Phoenix, MD
21131

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

(410) 527-1466

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Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc., is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating cruelty to all animals. Founded in 1975, we celebrate our 45th Anniversary this year! In 1988, our shelter opened in the middle of a 35.8 acre wildlife sanctuary in Northern Baltimore County. What makes Defenders so unique is that we hold adoptable animals for as long as it takes to find each and every one a forever home. We have adopted out over 30,000 animals! Mailing Address: Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc. PO Box 25 Phoenix, MD 21131


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