ST. MARY'S ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE

PO Box 1232

Leonardtown, Maryland 20650

Located in St. Mary's County

(301) 373-5659

Adoption Process

The St. Mary's Animal Welfare League is committed to finding suitable homes for all rescued animals. Once an animal is adopted, it cannot be sold, given away, or transferred in any way. If an adopter can no longer care for the animal for any reason, the animal must be returned to the St. Mary's Animal Welfare League. We strive to match animals with adopters based on temperament, special needs, and personality to ensure a loving and permanent home. The adoption process consists of several steps: Step 1: Adoption Application The first step is to complete the Adoption Application, which can be done online or in person. The application must include veterinarian references and two personal references who are not family members. We will review your application and contact your references, including your veterinarian, to confirm that your current or recently deceased pets were well cared for, including being up to date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered. To expedite this process, please inform your veterinarian to expect our call. Step 2: Personal Interview A member of the SMAWL Board or a volunteer will conduct an interview with you via phone, email, or in person. This interview allows us to learn more about you, your family, your pets, and the type of pet you seek. We may suggest other animals that could be a better fit for your situation. If you complete your application in person, the interview will likely occur at that time. Step 3: Home Visit If your application is verified successfully, we will schedule a home visit. This visit is necessary to ensure that your home is a safe and suitable environment for the new pet. All pets and family members should be present during this visit. Step 4: Meeting Your Potential Adoptee Once your application is approved and references checked, we will arrange for you to meet the animal you wish to adopt, either through the foster parent or the animal’s Case Manager. To respect our foster families, we do not arrange meetings until the application process is complete. If you have other pets, we recommend meeting in a neutral location, such as a local park or PETCO, to ensure compatibility. Step 5: Finalizing the Adoption After your adoption is approved, we will contact you to finalize the process. At this time, you will need to sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee: $200 for dogs, $125 for young cats (2 years and under), and $75 for older cats (over 2 years). In some cases, a foster-to-adopt option may be available for a two-week period. Please note that applications from outside St. Mary's County may be subject to additional terms and conditions, which can be provided upon request. We would like to remind you that our organization is entirely staffed by volunteers, with no paid staff. Our volunteers will work on your application around their personal and professional commitments. It may take up to a week for you to receive a response, although most applications are typically approved within 7 to 10 days. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to thank the volunteers for their dedication to helping homeless pets in our community.

Service Areas

St. Mary's County, Maryland

St. Mary's Animal Welfare League in Leonardtown, MD

The St. Mary's Animal Welfare League is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, care, and placement of abused, neglected, and homeless companion animals. We ensure that all animals are vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered, and receive necessary medical treatment before being placed in carefully selected homes. Additionally, we are committed to educating the community on humane practices and responsible pet ownership, and we actively promote spaying and neutering to help control pet overpopulation in our area.

Nearby Shelters and Rescues

St. Mary's County Animal Control
Located in Leonardtown, MD

1.8 miles away
Southern Maryland Pet Adoption
Located in Lexington Park, MD

7.9 miles away
Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Maryland
Located in Valley Lee, MD

9.3 miles away
Animal Relief Fund
Located in Lexington Park, MD

11.1 miles away
Patuxent Animal Welfare Society
Located in Lusby, MD

11.2 miles away