Quick Details for Frederick County Animal Shelter
What the Frederick County Animal Shelter Handles
The Frederick County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center, often shortened to FCAC, is the county animal shelter on Rosemont Avenue. It shelters homeless animals, supports pet adoption, handles stray animals, responds to animal concerns, and provides guidance for lost pets, surrender situations, licensing, rabies information, pet food support, and animal-related county ordinances.
This page is designed for people who need fast, clear information before contacting or visiting the shelter. Because adoption visits are listed as reservation-based, the most important first step is not simply driving to the building. Check available animals online, make a reservation when needed, and call the appropriate number if you have a lost pet, animal concern, surrender question, or emergency report.
Frederick County Animal Shelter Hours and Reservation Details
Frederick County lists officer hours, stray intake hours, administrative hours, and adoption reservation information separately. That distinction matters because adoption visits, surrender questions, stray intake, and animal control complaints are not always handled the same way.
| Service Area | Officially Listed Time / Process | Visitor Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Officer Hours | 7 AM to 9 PM daily | Use the animal concern line for non-emergency animal control questions. |
| Stray Intake Hours | 8 AM to 4 PM daily | Call ahead if you are unsure whether a found animal should be brought in. |
| Administrative Hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8 AM to 5 PM; Wed: 8 AM to 7 PM; Sat: 9 AM to 4 PM | Best for general office questions, records, adoption questions, and routine help. |
| Adoption Visits | By reservation only | Make a reservation before expecting to meet adoptable animals. |
| Owned Pet Intake | By appointment only at 301-600-1855 | Do not bring an owned pet for surrender without calling first. |
Adoption Fees at Frederick County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center
Frederick County publishes adoption fees to help recover part of the cost of caring for, vaccinating, microchipping, and neutering animals. Fees can change, and special discounts may apply to older dogs and cats, so use the table below as a planning guide and verify the final amount with the shelter before adopting.
| Pet Type | Published Adoption Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten or Cat under 5 years | $97.50 | $20 reduced fee when adopting 2 cats at the same time. |
| Puppy under 1 year | $150 | Ask about current availability and reservation requirements. |
| Dog over 1 year | $92.50 | Dogs and cats age 5+ receive $20 off the listed price. |
| Rabbit | $50 | Bring appropriate transport and setup plans for small animals. |
| Ferret | $45 | Availability may be occasional rather than constant. |
| Reptile | $15 | Confirm habitat, heat, and care requirements before adoption. |
| Bird | $10 | Ask staff about species-specific diet and care needs. |
| Guinea Pig | $10 | Plan for cage space, bedding, hay, and ongoing supplies. |
| Hamster, Gerbil, or Rat | $5 | Small pets still require proper enclosures and daily care. |
Frederick County also notes that all dogs and cats 5 years or older receive $20 off the listed price, and dogs and cats over 10 receive further discounts. Because discounts, promotions, and pet-specific notes can change, confirm current details through the official adoption fee page or shelter staff.
How to Adopt from Frederick County Animal Shelter
The adoption process is meant to match the right pet with the right home. Frederick County explains that adoption applications collect information about your pet experience, expectations, and home situation. If you rent, shelter staff may check with your landlord. They also arrange for pets to be neutered before adoption and provide adoption counseling about house training, basic equipment, and the first few days at home.
- Browse adoptable animals online: Check available dogs, cats, and small animals before making plans.
- Make a reservation: Adoption visits are listed as reservation-only, so do not rely on a walk-in visit.
- Submit or prepare the correct application: Frederick County provides separate adoption applications for cats, dogs, and small animals.
- Bring proper supplies: The county recommends a collar and leash for dogs and a carrier for cats and small animals.
- Prepare for the first vet visit: Frederick County notes that many local veterinarians give a discount to newly adopted shelter pets at the first visit and accept the county’s voucher for the first rabies vaccine.
- Ask practical questions: Discuss behavior, medical notes, spay/neuter status, timing, and what the pet will need when arriving home.
Lost Pets, Stray Animals, and Reclaim Planning
If your pet is missing in Frederick County, act quickly. Check the county stray pet page, contact the shelter, and be ready to provide proof of ownership. Helpful documents may include recent photos, vet records, microchip details, license information, or identifying marks that only the owner would know.
If you found a pet, avoid assuming the animal has been abandoned. A nearby owner may already be searching. Look for a collar or tag, ask nearby neighbors, and contact Frederick County Animal Control for guidance. If the animal is injured, aggressive, in danger, or creating a public safety concern, use the appropriate official phone number instead of trying to handle the situation alone.
Surrendering a Pet in Frederick County
Frederick County states that owned pet intake is by appointment only at 301-600-1855. The county also says it has resources to help address common reasons people surrender pets, with the goal of keeping pets with their families when possible.
Before surrendering, ask about pet food support, behavior resources, rehoming guidance, temporary help, veterinary support options, and documentation requirements. Shelter surrender is a serious decision, especially during periods of limited space, renovation, or high intake.
What to Bring for an Adoption Visit
- Photo ID and accurate contact information.
- Completed adoption application if the shelter recommends completing it before your reservation.
- Landlord or rental approval if you rent your home.
- Collar and leash for dogs.
- Carrier for cats and small animals.
- Payment method for the adoption fee.
- Questions about the animal’s medical history, behavior, energy level, and home needs.
Parking, Arrival, and Construction-Aware Visit Tips
The shelter is located at 1832 Rosemont Ave in Frederick. Because the facility is undergoing renovation and expansion through the winter 2026–2027 timeline, visitors should plan extra time, follow posted signs, and avoid assuming tours or non-essential in-person programs are available.
Arrive on time for your reservation. Frederick County’s appointment system notes that adoption appointments are limited, so late arrival may reduce your available time with animals or create scheduling issues. If you cannot attend, cancel or reschedule so another adopter can use the slot.
Official Frederick County Animal Shelter Links
Use official Frederick County pages for current adoption listings, fees, forms, lost pet information, surrender guidance, and animal control instructions. Third-party pages can be helpful for discovery, but official county information should be treated as the final source before visiting or making decisions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Showing up without a reservation: Adoption visits are listed as reservation-only.
- Using old fee information: Always confirm current adoption fees and discounts before visiting.
- Forgetting a carrier or leash: Frederick County specifically recommends a leash and collar for dogs and a carrier for cats and small animals.
- Waiting too long after losing a pet: Check the stray page and contact the shelter quickly.
- Bringing an owned pet without an appointment: Owned pet intake is by appointment only through 301-600-1855.
- Ignoring construction updates: Renovation may affect tours, programs, parking flow, and visitor expectations.
Source Verification and Accuracy Note
Independent guide: This page is an informational guide and is not the official Frederick County Government website. Shelter policies, hours, appointment rules, fees, pet availability, construction impacts, and phone routing can change.
Official sources checked before writing: Frederick County Animal Control main page, Frederick County adoption page, Frederick County adoption fee page, surrender guidance, and related official county animal service pages. Always confirm current details directly with Frederick County before visiting, adopting, surrendering, reclaiming, or reporting an animal concern.
Visitor Snapshot: Who Should Use This Shelter?
Frederick County residents looking to adopt from the county shelter, find a missing pet, ask about surrender resources, or contact animal control about local animal issues.
Because adoption is by reservation and the facility is under renovation, check online listings, confirm appointment details, and call the correct number before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
The official county shelter is the Frederick County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center, often referred to as FCAC.
The shelter is located at 1832 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, MD 21702.
The main office phone number is 301-600-1546. For general animal concern inquiries or complaints, use 301-600-1544.
Yes. Frederick County lists adoption as reservation-only. Make a reservation before expecting to meet adoptable animals.
Frederick County lists stray intake hours as 8 AM to 4 PM daily. Call ahead if you are unsure about a found animal situation.
The published fee is $150 for a puppy under 1 year of age and $92.50 for a dog over 1 year of age. Dogs age 5 and older receive discounts according to the county fee page.
The published fee for a kitten or cat under 5 years of age is $97.50, with a reduced fee when adopting two cats at the same time. Older cats may qualify for discounts.
Owned pet intake is by appointment only. Call 301-600-1855 or review the county’s surrender guidance before making plans.
Final Takeaway
The Frederick County Animal Shelter is best understood as the county’s Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center at 1832 Rosemont Ave. For most visitors, the key steps are simple: check adoptable animals online, make a reservation, bring the correct supplies, confirm current fees, and call the right number for lost pets, surrender questions, animal complaints, or after-hours reports.
Map to Frederick County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center
Use the map button below for directions to 1832 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, MD 21702. Confirm appointment rules and current hours before traveling.
Open Map & DirectionsAnimal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.