Carroll County Animal Control

Our Mission

The mission of Carroll County Animal Control is to protect the welfare of animals, promote public safety, and support the responsible care of pets in our community. We enforce animal-related laws, provide education to the public, and respond to concerns about the health, safety, and well-being of animals in Carroll County.

How We Help

Responds to reports of animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty
Investigates concerns about stray, dangerous, or injured animals
Enforces local and state animal ordinances
Assists with lost and found pets
Consults on wild animals in the living spaces of your home
Removes rabies-risk animals from your home’s living areas and accept captured or deceased animals for testing when human exposure is a concern
Educates the public on responsible pet ownership, licensing, and vaccination requirements
Issues dog licenses on behalf of Carroll County and enforces compliance with kennel and dog licensing requirements

Reporting Animal Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect an animal is being abused or neglected, please report it immediately.

Report an animal related issue To report an animal related issue, please call (410) 848-4810 and listen to the telephone prompts to reach an animal control officer. Our officers are staffed 24/7 to handle animal related concerns. To e-mail a concern, please send to animalcontrol@carrollcountymd.gov.
Life-threatening Emergency If it is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 and an operator will dispatch animal control along with the proper emergency department to handle the situation.
Calling to report an animal related issue If you are calling to report an animal related issue, please ensure that you have the following information readily available for the officer to ensure a fast response:
• Your name
• Callback number
• Address of where the incident is occurring
• Description of the animal(s)
• Any relevant information that may assist the officer

When submitting a report, please provide as much detail as possible, including location, description of the animal, and any observed behavior.

Lost and Found Pets

If you have lost or found a pet, please visit our Lost & Found Pets page for guidance and to help reunite animals with their owners.

Licensing

Animal Control ensures that pets in Carroll County are properly licensed and vaccinated for rabies. Learn more by visiting our licensing information page.