Eastern Shore Animal Advocacy

03/24/2024

Is Barn Hill Preserve a sanctuary or exploiting exotic animals?

11/01/2023

If you're afraid that you've given me few caresses, you must know that I haven't forgotten even one.

If you regret scolding me even once, you must know I don't even remember it.
If you think you've left me alone for too long, you must know that I've always been waiting for you.

If you fear that you have devoted little time to me, you must know that I, even that little, have enjoyed every moment.

If you think you played me small, you must know that I never counted the times you threw the ball at me.

If you think I have forgotten your perfume, you must know that even now I am smelling it in the wind.
If you wanted to be reborn in another life, you must know that I would like to be your puppy in that one too.

If you are convinced that you have some flaws, you must know that for me you have been perfect.

If you think love can have an end, you must know that in my heart the place of love is infinite.

If you think you have regrets about me, you must know that I wouldn't change a single second of the life I've spent with you.

If you think I no longer hear your voice when you call me, just trust the sunset breeze the task of bringing me your words.

If you think I can forget your face, you must know I wanted to live just to enjoy your look.
If you think I could have loved someone more than yourself, you must know that I loved you more than I loved myself.

If you think I'd like a soft couch, you know I'd have slept on the rocks with you too.
If you think I wanted more than you gave me, you must know that I have always felt like the happiest puppy in the world.

If you've ever felt lonely, you must know that I never left my place next to you.

If you think my life's been short, you must know that I wouldn't want to live another minute if I hadn't spent it by your side.

If you fear that I'm no longer close to you, know that as soon as you close your eyes I'll fall asleep next to you.
If you think you haven't made the right decision, you must know that I've always trusted you. Always.

If you dream of seeing me again someday, you must know that I'll be there waiting for you like I've always done.

Taken from Ara Esparza's publication

CTTO

01/30/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=6367325649946640&id=687692191243376&mibextid=Nif5oz

🚨PSA: WE PROVIDE FREE SPAY & NEUTER SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME WICOMICO RESIDENTS!🚨

Each year, we receive a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture to provide free spay and neuter surgeries to low-income residents in our county. We received $9,000 last year and had to give almost $4,000 back, because not enough people took advantage of a FREE service. We are sadly met with pushback all the time when offering these services.

Please, please, PLEASE get your pets spayed and neutered through us if you’re a low-income resident in Wicomico County ($25k for single household, $48k for dual income household). Not only does it drastically reduce the homeless pet population and prevent unnecessary suffering in a county already in a crisis, but the health benefits for your pet are huge!

Cats and dogs that are spayed and neutered live longer lives and are at much less of a risk of cancer and other diseases. There’s no reason not to get your pet spayed or neutered if we are offering the service for free.. don’t you want your furbaby to live as long as possible?! Call us now at 410-749-7603 to get more info and get your pets scheduled!

01/12/2023

https://a.co/3uTYrgU
Changing Fates Equine Rescue of Delaware, Inc. amazon wish list..check it out! Please help if you can

01/11/2023

On Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., DSP responded to a report of suspicious activity around the 26000 block of Lonesome Road in Seaford. DSP conducted an investigation and discovered multiple people at the property actively engaged in dog fighting. DSP took five individuals into custody at the scene. Following the observation of animal fighting, OAW obtained a search and seizure warrant for the property units and took custody of the 14 dogs that were found at the residence.

https://news.delaware.gov/2023/01/11/delaware-office-of-animal-welfare-delaware-state-police-rescue-14-dogs-5-residents-face-felony-dog-fighting-charges/?fbclid=IwAR3ZDCDMqqA9qrCr9pcyXqZpT7eKHJHMNc5yOIMNZsJC8qytAv5cqB78_Ho

State of Delaware News Delaware Office of Animal Welfare, Delaware State Police Rescue 14 Dogs; 5 Residents Face Felony Dog Fighting Charges Delaware Office of Animal Welfare, Delaware State Police Rescue 14 Dogs; 5 Residents Face Felony Dog Fighting Charges -

10/01/2022

Four New Laws to Protect Animals Take Effect October 1st!
DSC_8406
Cat Declaw Prohibition (SB67/HB22) Senator Cheryl Kagan/Delegate Lorig Charkoudian Maryland becomes the second state to ban this cruel and painful procedure except in medically necessary circumstances that involve the health of the cat. New York outlawed elective declawing in 2019. Fourteen US cities have banned the practice including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh. Elective declawing is illegal in most of Europe as well as in Brazil, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand.

Shelter for Dogs in Extreme Weather (SB44/HB16) Senator Chris West/Delegate Mary Lehman – Requires that dogs left unattended in extreme weather have suitable shelter. This bill provides minimum standards to ensure that dogs are protected from the hazards of being left outdoors in adverse weather conditions, the number one complaint heard by animal control agencies in our state.

Wildlife Trafficking Prevention– (SB381/HB52) Senator Will C. Smith/Delegate Sara Love Prohibits the sale of parts or products from a list of 15 endangered or threatened wildlife species such as elephants, giraffes, and pangolins. Federal law already prohibits the import of these parts or products and their sale across state lines. Maryland joins 13 States and the District of Columbia in prohibiting these sales within our borders.

Cost of Animal Care (SB877/HB1062) Senator Jeff Waldstreicher /Delegate David Moon Requires individuals whose animals have been seized due to charges of cruelty or severe neglect to pay the cost of caring for the animals while the case is pending, lessening the cost burden on the shelter that cares for them, and potentially providing opportunities to be adopted into loving homes if the owner does not want to retain ownership while the case is pending. Maryland joins 38 states, including our neighbors, in passing this legislation.

We are working on our 2023 Humane Agenda. Please sign up for Maryland Votes for Animals Action Alerts to get information about how you can let your delegates and senators know about bills to help animals in Maryland.

Cat Declaw Prohibition (SB67/HB22) Senator Cheryl Kagan/Delegate Lorig Charkoudian Maryland becomes the second state to ban this cruel and painful procedure except in medically necessary circumstances that involve the health of

08/23/2022

Proud of the work both here in Maryland and across the nation in shutting down cruel puppy mills!

"The last puppy-selling pet store in Maryland has shut down and its owners must pay a hefty fine. Maryland’s Attorney General sued Maryland Puppies Online for continuing to sell puppies in a retail store in violation of the state’s No More Puppy Mills Act. Maryland Puppies’ owners will have to pay at least $75,000 and must pay back consumers who were sold sick puppies. This was the second of two lawsuits filed by Attorney General Brian E. Frosh against pet stores that flouted the new law; the other one was against Just Puppies, which was fined $100,000 last year. As a result of Attorney General Frosh’s action, we can now say there are finally no more puppy stores in Maryland."

Summer is a time of rest and relaxation for many of us, but there has been no lull in our fight to end puppy mills. We have made real progress in our campaign to stop

08/01/2022

Wicomico Co. Humane Society aims to update, tighten up Animal Control regulations

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Wednesday, Wicomico County Council will be reviewing a request from the county Wicomico County Humane Society (WCHS) to adjust animal control regulations. Revisiting Regulations WCHS is asking for the County to add or tighten up eleven regulations. “There are some much ove...

06/17/2022

Many of our shelters and rescues across Maryland are full, and they are bracing for even harder times in the months ahead as adoptions slow down during vacation season. If you have ever considered adopting, fostering, or volunteering, now is the time. Cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and more are all in need of fosters and families. Find your local shelters at www.theshelterpetproject.org!

05/26/2022

A victory for the dogs in Pocomoke ...
Just because there is quiet doesn't mean people aren't continuing to work on things.
Thank you Joshua Nordstrom for working hard and allowing me to be a pain in your butt. And thank you for creating new codes so this can't happen again.
The summary of the case is that the judge found him guilty on 8 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. All but ten days of his sentence is suspended. But he lied to the court and violated his probation so now he has to serve a 3 years.

https://www.wmdt.com/2022/05/pocomoke-city-man-convicted-on-animal-cruelty-charges-county-calling-it-a-win/?fbclid=IwAR3dm3ftCs6zoa-fh8EimIGFyGMmds-U2d5HRM-Ksf6M-ruJigzYUJtm0fQ

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. – Worcester County Commissioners are calling the conviction of a man who they say put animals in harm’s way a big win. Breeding Bad Behavior Worcester County Commissioner Joshua Nordstrom says the court decision marks the end of a problem that has been plaguing Pocomoke City f...

04/14/2022

And for the month of April, it's only $1. It takes only a moment to call and schedule your appointment.

https://www.talbothumane.org/april-is-pet-id-month/

04/05/2022

$1 Microchipping is here for the entire month of April! It's super simple, just call and set up your appointment today.

https://www.talbothumane.org/april-is-pet-id-month/

03/16/2022

Call, call, call! We are at a critical point with a few bills that need to move before Monday's "crossover" deadline:
- SB443/HB681, tax credit to incentivize pet-friendly housing
- SB816/HB1064, protections for pet-owners facing eviction
- SB877/HB1062, cost of animal care

These bills are all in different places so JUST CALL! Call your Delegates and your Senator and urge their support for all three bills. Let's get this done for the animals this session!

Find your legislator at mgaleg.maryland.gov

03/13/2022

ACT NOW: When animals subjected to neglect and cruelty are seized by law enforcement, the cost of caring for them over months or years while the criminal case is prosecuted can be financially devastating to local animal response agencies. The sky-high costs also discourage law enforcement from even taking on these types of cases, leaving hundreds of animals in Maryland to suffer.

Please urge your legislators to vote YES on SB877/HB1062, important cost-of-animal-care legislation that would allow law enforcement to petition for costs related to caring for animals seized from animal cruelty and fighting. TAKE ACTION to help protect abused animals in Maryland now! → https://secured.humanesociety.org/page/96986/action/1

03/10/2022

Great news! HB22, banning the cruel de-knuckling of cats, and HB52, ending wildlife trafficking in Maryland, passed the House! The bills have now passed each chamber and just need to complete the process of passing through the opposite side to become law!

03/10/2022

03/09/2022

WE ARE OPEN AGAIN to accept patients! The USDA has lifted the quarantine we were under due to a bird testing positive for HPAI (see post from February 21, 2022), and we can accept birds for treatment again. We are also happy to report that five of the birds that were part of the quarantine are ready for release and will finally regain their freedom this week. Thank you for your cooperation and support during this unprecedented-for-us time. Please share this good news with others---the more people who know we are open, the more injured birds can receive the care they need.

03/09/2022

Missing Berlin Cats Found At Philadelphia Shelter

Charlene Sharpe
Staff Writer
BERLIN – When 10-year-old cat Maggie disappeared last fall, her owners blamed a fox.
Imagine their surprise last week when they were informed she was listed for adoption on a Philadelphia rescue’s website. When they called to claim her, they were told she’d been placed in a PetSmart for adoption the day before.
“It was just in the nick of time we found her,” owner Laura Stearns said. “She’s so friendly I know she would have been adopted in no time.”
Maggie was just one of several missing Berlin cats who turned up in the Philadelphia shelter. In recent months, posts about missing felines have popped up with some regularity on a community page. Stearns said her neighbor’s cat disappeared in October, followed by her cat in November.
“Then we started noticing other cats disappearing in the neighborhood,” said Stearns, who lives on Main Street.
About a week ago, the owner of a missing cat from West Branch Street contacted the local group Community Cats Coalition and shared a photo in an effort to find the cat. It was after that point that Susan Coleman, director of the coalition, realized some of the cats that had been trapped by a Berlin resident and brought by Community Cats Coalition to Philadelphia were pets.
“A woman was trapping on her private property,” Coleman said. “We were just the transporter.”
Coleman said she apologized for the situation and has helped ensure the cats who belong to town residents have been returned. The coalition is dedicated to the rescue and care of stray and abandoned cats. Coleman said she simply responded to a call from a Berlin woman who said she’d trapped stray cats on her property. The coalition agreed to pick them up and transport them to Philadelphia, where a high-volume clinic spays and neuters up to 90 cats a day.
“If they’re not microchipped we don’t know they’re people’s pets,” she said, adding that her group worked with the Pennsylvania organization because it was capable of handling more cats than local facilities were.
More: https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2022/03/03/missing-berlin-cats-located-at-philadephia-shelter/

BERLIN – When 10-year-old cat Maggie disappeared last fall, her owners blamed a fox. Imagine their surprise last week when they were informed she was

03/04/2022

All of our dogs that are available for adoption are allowed out on day trips, and we would love it if anyone wanted to come take a pup for a trip to Pemberton Park, to get a puppuccino, or even relax in your home with you for a bit!

In honor of National Adoption Week, let’s do all that we can to help our animals get adopted! Taking our dogs out is a very valuable way to help.

Not only does it benefit them to get out of their kennels as much as possible, but it helps them to get adopted by knowing more about them- we can find out how they did in the car, if they were good boys and girls on the trip, etc. Maybe someone will even see them out on your adventures and fall in love with them!

Here are a few of the many dogs that have higher energy levels and could really benefit from some extra time out of the shelter. Or if there is a dog on our website (wicomicohumane.org) that you're interested in, come on out and take them on a bonding adventure! You just provide us with your license info when you come in, pick a pup up anytime after 12, and have them back by 4!

03/03/2022

Former k-9 officer with prior animal cruelty charges.
Charge Description: ANIMAL CRUELTYCharge Class:Misdemeanor

Offense Date From: 03/11/2003

Plea: Other PleaPlea Date:08/01/2003

Charge Description: ANIMAL CRUELTY: INFLICTCharge Class:Misdemeanor
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 03/11/2003To:

Disposition
Plea: Other PleaPlea Date:08/01/2003
Disposition: StetDisposition Date:08/01/2003

Charge Description: ANIMAL CRUEL FAIL: PROVIDECharge Class:Misdemeanor
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 03/11/2003To:
Agency Name: WICOMICO SHERIFF'S DEPTOfficer ID:W220
Disposition
Plea: GuiltyPlea Date:01/04/2005
Disposition: GuiltyDisposition Date:01/04/2005

Charge Description: ANIMAL CRUEL FAIL:
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 10/18/2020 To: 11/18/2020
A
Disposition
Plea: GuiltyPlea Date:08/09/2021
Disposition: GuiltyDisposition Date:08/09/2021

Start Date: 02/23/2022
Jail Term: Yrs:0Mos:0Days:47Hours:0
C (5)
Charge Description: ANIMAL CRUEL FAIL:
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 10/18/2020To: 11/18/2020

Disposition
Plea: GuiltyPlea Date:08/09/2021
Disposition: GuiltyDisposition Date:08/09/2021 C
Charge Description: ANIMAL CRUEL FAIL: PROVIDECharge Class:Misdemeanor
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 08/12/2021To: 08/12/2021

Plea: GuiltyPlea Date:02/23/2022
Disposition: GuiltyDisposition Date:02/23/2022

03/03/2022

In honor of World Wildlife Day, please take a moment to call your Senator and urge them to vote YES on SB381/HB52! These bills would make it illegal to sell parts or pieces of iconic animal species within the state of Maryland, helping combat illegal poaching. Think globally, act locally and support SB381/HB52!

You can find your Senator at mgaleg.maryland.gov. Senate Bill 381 is expected to have its roll call vote in the Senate tomorrow and HB52 could be voted on in House Environment and Transportation committee tomorrow as well!

03/01/2022

Advance tickets are on sale now!
https://grandlivingpublishing.com/shop/ols/products/pooch-palooza-2019-single-day-ticket

02/26/2022

QUEENSTOWN — Queen Anne’s County’s third-party investigation into Animal Services found no evidence of sexual harassment at the managerial level, while also acknowledging operational deficiencies, investigating attorney Kevin Karpinski said have sin…

QUEENSTOWN — Queen Anne’s County’s third-party investigation into Animal Services found no evidence of sexual harassment at the managerial level, while also acknowledging operational deficiencies, investigating attorney Kevin Karpinski said

02/25/2022

Talbot Humane offers humane euthanasia for severely ill pets. Euthanizing a pet is a difficult decision that nearly all pet owners have face at some point. When you approach this point in your animals life, your veterinarian is your best source of information and advice. Talbot Humane does provide this service for pet owners.

At Talbot Humane we understand the difficulty of losing a pet, who for most of us becomes a beloved family member. We endeavor to treat your pet as our own. With this belief Talbot Humane provides affordable cremation with the respect and compassion that you would expect.

For more information on these services, please call our office at (410) 822-0107

02/21/2022

Thank you so much for your support and understanding during this time. We wanted to provide some more details on what happened and why we are quarantined and temporarily closed.

On Thursday, February 10, we received a dead-on-arrival raptor that was found on the side of the road in Kent County, Delaware. We tested the bird for disease, and it tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Under the direction of the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), we quarantined the remaining birds in our facilities due to the potential viral exposure during our evaluation of the deceased bird. Wild birds can be infected with this virus and show no signs of infection. DDA has worked with us to develop a plan so we can continue to rehabilitate the eight birds in our care with the goal of returning them to the wild at the end of the quarantine. Because some birds may be fully healed and ready for release prior to the end of the quarantine period, our biggest challenge will be to keep those birds free of injuries as they become more active in their flight enclosures.

Please understand, as part of the quarantine, we cannot add any new birds to our center until all birds have been cleared free of HPAI. The earliest this may happen and we can open our doors to accept new patients is March 8, 2022. We will provide an update if we need to stay closed longer than that date. Please do not bring any birds on to the premises until further notice. Do not handle any wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead. Sick or unusual deaths in backyard flocks and commercial poultry should be reported to the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section, 302-698-4500. To report groups of dead or sick waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, or raptors, contact DNREC's Wildlife Section – Wildlife Disease Program, 302-735-3600.

02/17/2022

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/action-alert-income-tax-credit-for-pet-friendly-rental-dwelling-units-sb-443hb-681?source=direct_link&

Income Tax - Credit for Pet-Friendly Rental Dwelling Units SB 443/HB 681 SUPPORT: Income Tax - Credit for Pet-Friendly Rental Dwelling Units SB 443/HB 681 Let’s create an incentive for landlords to accept pets! This bill would provide a tax credit for landlords who adopt pet-friendly leasing polic...

02/16/2022

Let's show the kitties some love this Valentine's Day! Maryland has the opportunity to become the second state to prohibit the cruel and unnecessary practice of de-knuckling cats (commonly called declaw) – but we need your action today!

SB67, sponsored by Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan, has been voted favorably out of committee with a strong 10-1 vote. The bill now heads to the full Senate, which will vote on the bill early this week. Please contact your Senator TODAY and urge him or her to vote YES on SB67! You can personalize the email by sharing a picture or memory of your favorite cat.

Take action TODAY!

“Declawing” includes a lot more than the loss of a cat’s nails. It involves the partial amputation by scalpel or by laser of a cat’s toes including each claw and the bone they are embedded in. Studies show that one in five cats experience long-term complications from declaw surgery that inc...

02/11/2022

17 animals went through our Spay and Neuter program last night. We're currently scheduling out into April. If you're in Talbot County and are interested in getting your animals spayed or neutered, please visit https://www.talbothumane.org/services/spay-neuter-midshore/ for more information.

17 animals went through our Spay and Neuter program last night. We're currently scheduling out into April. If you're in Talbot or Dorchester County and are interested in getting your animals spayed or neutered, please visit https://www.talbothumane.org/services/spay-neuter-midshore/ for more information.