Baltimore County residents looking to add a furry family member have a special opportunity on Saturday, Nov. 14. Baltimore County Animal Services (BCAS) and local radio station Today’s 101.9 are teaming up for the second annual Santa Paws: Home for the Holidays adoption event, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the shelter’s 13800 Manor Road location in Baldwin.
All adoption fees will be waived for every animal available, and each pet has already been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, ensuring a healthy start for new owners. The event will feature a wide range of companions, including dogs, cats, kittens and small animals, all housed in the county’s only open‑admission shelter.
Community partners and live coverage
Today’s 101.9 morning show hosts Greg Carpenter and Gina Crash will broadcast live from the shelter, highlighting a different adoptable pet each hour. Their on‑air presence is intended to draw listeners into the shelter and encourage adoptions, fostering a sense of community involvement.
“Opening your heart and home to a shelter animal is a wonderful act of kindness,” said Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. “With Baltimore County Animal Services continuing to see more pets come into its care, we’re grateful to Today’s 101.9 for encouraging residents to adopt, foster or volunteer. Every animal deserves a loving home.”
Carpenter added, “Gina and I can’t wait to be back at BCAS for Santa Paws. Seeing so many pets find homes last year was something special. We’re inviting our listeners to come meet the animals and help us make this year’s event an even bigger success.”
Past success and goals for this year
Last year’s Santa Paws event placed more than 40 animals into forever homes within a few short hours. Dr. René Varela, Bureau Director for Baltimore County Animal Services, noted, “We’re hoping to build on that success this year and, with the community’s support, help even more animals find loving families.”
For residents who cannot adopt long‑term, BCAS staff and volunteers will be on hand to discuss fostering options, volunteer opportunities and other ways to support the shelter’s mission. The agency relies heavily on community involvement to meet the needs of the animals in its care.
How to get involved
Anyone interested in learning more about adoptable animals, fostering, or volunteering can visit the Animal Services page on the Baltimore County website or follow BCAS on Facebook and Instagram. The shelter encourages families, seniors, and individuals of all backgrounds to consider giving a home to a pet in need, emphasizing the positive impact such a decision has on both the animal and the adopter.
The Santa Paws event underscores Baltimore County’s commitment to compassionate animal welfare and highlights how local partnerships—between government agencies and media outlets—can mobilize residents around a shared cause. By waiving fees and providing a festive, family‑friendly atmosphere, the event aims to make pet adoption accessible and appealing during the holiday season.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
