Charlestown Pet Group Meeting Minutes 4/22/25

Otto Greul opened the meeting at 11:00 . 17 members were in attendance.
Minutes from the March Meeting were approved with the following change – the name of the magazine that Otto circulated is “Good Mousekeeping.”
New resident in attendance:  Donna Groves in CR lives with cat Jake.

Old Business:

  • It is imperative that all pet owners read and follow the rules as stated in the Resident’s Handbook Appendix E. or we could lose the privilege of having a pet. The book 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.
  • Cat Clinic information Date:  May 30. Clinics are held In the Cross Creek Arts Room from 8 – 11 am. Please call Dr Nesbitt directly (410-869-0800) for an appointment.  Cat Clinic dates will be on ccicharlestown.org.
  • The updated Resource List is now located at ccicharlestown.org. Select Pets at Charlestown, then select Local Pet Resources.

Guest Speaker: Alli Chlada, Community Resources, attended the meeting to share information with us about registering and licensing of pets and the Pet Volunteer program.

When you enter Charlestown, you are required to register your pet(s). The rules for pets at Charlestown are in the Resident Handbook, Appendix E. Deanna Booker, Resident Life, maintains the Registration forms. If you acquire a pet after you live here, it should be registered with Deanna as well. The Pet Group is given the information about pets and keeps track of pets.  For the safety of the community, it is imperative that all pets at Charlestown have vaccinations, particularly rabies. As responsible pet owners, we should be doing that.

Baltimore County requires that pets, both dogs and cats, be registered with the county. Pets should be registered when you move into Charlestown. Registration must be renewed annually between May 1 and July 31. You can register your pet online at Apply for and Renew an Animal License | Baltimore County Government or mail the application form to the County.  We have printed copies available for those who need them. Let Carolyn Troy know if you need an application. Note that a copy of the current rabies vaccination form is required with the application.

Charlestown has a Pet Volunteer Program led by Alli. If you have a pet with the temperament to interact with residents in a social way, you might consider this program. Alli will verify that the pet has all vaccinations and do a temperament test. Then your pet will be awarded a bright bandana that will let everyone know that it is “approachable.”  All pets visiting Wilton Overlook and Caton Woods must be registered and be up to date with vaccinations as well. The form to join this program, or register a pet to visit CW or WO, is on My Erickson, Volunteer, Pet Visitor and Volunteer Information Form.

New Business:

  • We recently donated 4 shopping carts of items to MDSPCA. Katie Flory of MDSPCA sent a note of thanks. They were very grateful for the supplies. There is a Wishlist of needs which will be attached with the notes. Please note: NO open food or pet medications. Residents are welcome to take the donated items as well. We’ll distribute a list of items donated at each meeting and if you would like any of them, contact David Elder, Otto Greul or Carolyn Troy.
  • The Resource on our list, Peaceful Passages, is NOT the euthanasia company currently under investigation.
  • A suggestion was made to have the fences to the dog runs raised. Ally will send this to the Grounds Department.

The group has 232 residents with 203 pets: 114 cats, 86 dogs, 2 birds, and 1 rabbit who live in 164 apartments.

NEXT MEETING – May 27 in Brookside Classroom 2. Meetings are always on the 4th Tuesday at 11AM (no meetings in July, August and December).

Items donated at Meeting: Friskies Mixed Grill Pate (12 cans); Blue Tasteful Chicken Pate (bag); Hill’s Dog Digestive Care (10 cans); Fancy Feast Kitten (72 cans); lots of dog toys