Here to Support
FAQs

What is the difference between becoming a shelter volunteer and becoming an AROO member?   

• Shelter volunteers sign up with the shelter, receive an orientation and then do hands-on volunteer work on site at the shelter;  with animals at the shelter or with dogs on outings in the local area.  This work can include socializing/walking/bonding with shelter animals, as well as assisting shelter staff with daily upkeep tasks such as cleaning pens or the mountains of laundry and dishes that the animals create every day. Shelter Animal Handlers must be registered shelter volunteers.

• AROO volunteers dedicate their time to furthering the AROO mission of fund raising, community outreach, supporting our foster program and shelter enhancements in support of the St Mary's shelter. Many AROO Volunteers are also Shelter Volunteers

How do I become a Shelter volunteer?

• ​This link takes you to the St Marys Shelter website page that provides the forms required to volunteer. https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/AnimalShelter/Volunteer/.

• Once the forms are filled out they can be submitted to the shelter, and a shelter orientation will be scheduled. The orientation generally takes less than an hour and upon completion, volunteers are free to come and go any time the shelter is open (not just during open to the public hours). The Shelter's Volunteer Coordinator schedules and conducts most orientations and can be reached by calling the Shelter's main number (301) 475-8018

How do I see what animals are available for adoption at the shelter?

• This link takes you to the Shelter's Adoptable Animals page.  https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/AnimalShelter/Adoptable/ 

• This page is kept up in real time and changes daily!

How do I become an AROO member?

• Fill out and submit the "contact us" form at the bottom of each page on this site.  We need a wide variety of skills and capabilities including social media, graphic arts, photography, administrative, fund raising (corporations, individuals, grants), community outreach, shelter projects (landscaping, light construction projects) and many more! There is no minimum requirement for volunteer time when you sign up, and remember, we do it for the animals!

What are some potential future AROO initiatives?

• The St Mary's Shelter is very well run (that's one reason we are enthusiastic about supporting it!), and its operational needs are met with St Mary's County funding allocations. That said, there are always additional needs and initiatives that can be met through volunteer time and philanthropy. We are just scratching the surface. We want to obtain the funds needed to augment the Shelter's budget and provide additional medical care (emergency and routine care as needed). The animals in the shelter are well cared for, but we want to improve the daily lives of animals in the shelter by continuing to enhance their living and recreational/enrichment facilities. These efforts will improve their "kennel presence" and adopt-ability. We want to provide shelter staff with tools or materials that can make their jobs easier. We want to be able to help provide low cost or no cost resources to the community of pet owners in the form of easily accessible spay/neuter/vaccinations, as well as financial and educational help for local adopters and foster homes. We would like to support a Community Foster Program to get more animals into home environments while they are recovering from medical issues or awaiting adoption

Are there ways I can help if I don’t want to handle animals? 

• Absolutely! If you are an advocate for the wonderful and deserving animals in the shelter, there are many ways to help that don't include handling the animals!  Most can be done from home, and on your schedule. Please contact us to discuss these possibilities.