Pet Group Meeting Minutes: April 2026

Charlestown Pet Group Meeting NOTES April 28, 2026

 David Elder opened the meeting at 11:00 AM. 15 members were in attendance. Minutes from the March Meeting were approved.

Old Business

• It is imperative that all pet owners read and follow the rules as stated in the Resident’s Handbook Appendix F. The handbook clearly says, “Pets must be on a leash or in a cage at all times when outside your apartment and should never be allowed to run free.” Please remember that some residents have a fear of dogs or allergies to cats and be considerate.
• Items are collected for donation to the MDSPCA. If you have any items to donate, bring them to the meeting or contact Elsie Kemp, HRT23 or Otto Greul. Contact information can be found in the Resident Directory, available online in MyErickson. If you need any items, let us know and we can check the storage bin.
• If you need to see the Catonsville Cat Clinic, call Dr Nesbitt directly (410-869-0800). We currently have no schedule for clinics on site.
• Current Resource List is located at ccicharlestown.org. Select Pets at Charlestown, then select Local Pet Resources.

New Business

David introduced our guest –  Katie Flory, Maryland SPCA (MDSPCA) Community Care and Advocacy Director. The MDSPCA handles about 3,000 animals per year. There are about 20,000 animals per year in the Baltimore area. They get animals from owners who cannot keep them, lost animals from the city and transport from other shelters.  Unlike rescue organizations, MDSPCA is required to take in all animals presented. They save 90% of those animals. They only euthanize extremely ill animals or animals who are too aggressive to rehome. Some issues owners currently face include pet inclusive housing shortage nationwide, expensive vet care, shortage of vets. All animals in their shelter can be viewed on the website www.mdspca.org Please note: The ASPCA (with the sad commercials) IS NOT associated with the MDSPCA. They are a shelter in New York City and donations to them are not shared with other groups. MDSPCA offers programs that support both pets and owners. All money raised goes to support the animals.

• George’s Flealess Market – gently used pet supplies for sale. Anyone can come in and get items. You pay what you can. Saturday & Sunday.
• 14th Annual Kindness for PAWS Art Show- May 17 at the White Marsh Mall. The art is created by kids in 50 local schools. You can purchase the art either by attending the show or online at  Kindness For Paws Art Show
• Home Alone: a seminar on separation anxiety – June 13. Presented by Maria Montgomery, behavior consultant
• Kibble Connection – Meals on Wheels volunteers pick up pet food to deliver along with the Meals. There are currently 1,200 families in this program.
• Paws Plus Clinics – MDSPCA goes to underserved areas with food, vaccines, flea & tick prevention, leashes, etc.
• Onsite Adoption – MDSPCA has an adoption RV and offers mobile adoptions [The MDSPCA PETMOBILE]
• Couch Crashers – volunteers can take pets home for a break from the shelter. Sometimes for just one night.
• Foster Program – volunteers can foster pets until they are spayed or neutered. Fosters are usually kittens as kittens do not do well in shelters. Supplies and all medical care provided by the MDSPCA. They offer 24-hour phone support. Katie stated that this is the most life-saving program they have.
• Donate: The Pet Group collects items to donate to the MDSPCA. You can donate that way. When asked, Katie said that they need “spray cheese.”  This is used in various ways to train the animals. You can donate directly via the website – www.mdspca.org   There is a Wishlist on the website and a link directly to Amazon.
• Volunteer: There are opportunities to volunteer. For example – volunteer with George’s Flealess Market, volunteer at the shelter doing laundry and washing dishes. See the website for all the ways to volunteer.
• Adopt:  All the animals at the shelter are shown on the website. Information about adoption events is there as well,

Thanks to Katie for another informative and fun presentation.

• Baltimore County requires all dogs and cats to be registered. Licenses expire on June 30. The period for renewal begins on May 1. You are required to provide a copy of a current rabies vaccination with your application. You can renew online at baltimorecountymd.gov/animallicense. If you need a paper copy to register, contact Carolyn Troy.
• Robbie Sabin suggested we get someone to speak to the group about pet dementia. We will investigate this.

The group has 243 residents with 207 pets: 115 cats, 90 dogs and 2 birds,

 NEXT MEETING –  May 26 in Brookside Classroom 2. Meetings are always on the 4th Tuesday at 11AM. (no meetings in July, August and December).