Shipping Pets

In Frederick County, all dogs and cats over four months old must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. You can obtain a license by submitting a completed License Application Form with your pet's rabies certificate and applicable fees to the Frederick County Animal Control Center. Rabies vaccination is mandatory, and proof of vaccination is required for licensing. Discounts are available for spayed or neutered pets, and a senior discount is offered for residents aged 65 and over.

Steps to License Your Pet:

• Get a rabies vaccine: Ensure your dog or cat receives a rabies vaccination by a veterinarian.
• Obtain a rabies certificate: Your veterinarian will provide proof of the vaccination.
• Complete the application: Download and fill out the Frederick County License Application Form.
• Submit the application: Mail the completed form, along with the rabies certificate and fees, to the Frederick County Animal Control Center.

Key Requirements & Information

Age Limit: Any dog or cat over four months old must be licensed.

Rabies Vaccination: Proof of a current rabies vaccination is required.

Discounts:

• Spayed/Neutered Discount: The fee for a spayed or neutered pet is half the rate for an unaltered pet.
• Senior Discount: County residents who are 65 or older pay a discounted fee for an unaltered pet.

Contact Information:

• 1832 Rosemont Ave.
• Frederick, MD 21702
• Ph: 301-600-1546

Animal Control:

• Phone: 301-600-1544
• Phone: 301-600-1603
• Emergency after hours
• Officer Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Administrative Hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stray Intake Hours:

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Owner Pet Intake:

• By Appointment Only
• Phone: 301-600-1855
• Text 301-900-5533 for general Animal Control inquiries
• *Animal concerns/complaints, call 301-600-1544
• *Animal emergencies, call 301-600-1603 or 911

Crates and Travel

Three to four weeks before you leave, feed your pet in the crate, make them comfortable with a blanket or toy, and leave the door open so they are free to walk in and out. Take your pet for a trial ride. On moving day, cover the crate floor with litter or absorbent bedding. All crates must be airline approved. Airlines provide pressurized and climate controlled areas but you may consider avoiding traveling during extremely hot temperatures. Make sure your pet has plenty of water. Travel with pets can require extra time, include additional stops in your estimated time of arrival.

Health and Age

Check with your veterinarian to make sure your pet is healthy and strong enough to travel. If traveling by air, check with your airline for any age or health restrictions. You may also need a health certificate. Hand-carry pet medical and vaccination records. You will need them for commercial transportation, for boarding, and for licensing.

Cost

Depending on the size of the pet, if you are traveling by air, it could be very expensive. The government does not pay to transport animals or reimburse pet expenses. Contact hotels in advance to determine if they allow pets.

Upon arrival at USAG Fort Detrick “Pet Kennel & Doggie Daycare” is available

Call Phone: 301-619-3950 for more information and to come in and take a tour!

No drop-ins; reservations required.

Other Requirements:

• Vaccination records must be submitted for all pets prior to drop off.
• Dogs must be over 4 months of age to join group play.
• Dogs must be vaccinated for rabies, distemper, Bordetella and canine influenza.
• Cats must be vaccinated for rabies and distemper.
• Must be free of fleas, ticks and other parasites.

Location:

Bldg. 121 Hamilton Street (off of Porter Street)

Fort Detrick 21702

• Open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Closed Saturday and Sunday

To bring a pet to Maryland, you need to obtain a health certificate from a veterinarian within 30 days of entry, ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date, and be aware of state-specific requirements, as domestic pet movement is regulated by the destination state. You can find these detailed requirements through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website. No quarantine is generally required for pets entering Maryland from other U.S. states, though specific exceptions may apply.

Steps to Take Before Traveling:

• Contact Your Veterinarian as soon as you have your travel details to understand the requirements for moving your pet to Maryland.
• You will need a valid health certificate from a veterinarian, typically issued within 30 days of entry, proving your pet is healthy and fit to travel.
• Make sure your pet's vaccinations are current.
• Verify that your pet meets all health and documentation requirements with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service state-to-state pet travel website.

Quarantine Information for Maryland

No Standard Quarantine for U.S. Arrivals: Generally, there is no mandatory quarantine period for pets entering Maryland from another U.S. state, but it is always best to verify with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

If you are bringing a pet into Maryland from another country, you must meet specific import regulations, which can vary depending on the country of origin. Consult the USDA APHIS website for bringing an animal into the U.S.

Travel Assistance

You can find professional pet travel agencies that specialize in domestic and international pet relocation on the internet. Options include airlines, which require advance booking and official orders, and ground transportation, for which you can find local providers.

Fort Detrick offers pet daycare, lodging and spa services. Reservations are required. Up-to-date vaccinations are required for all pets visiting the facility. Weekly and monthly discounted packages are available. Although rates are generally $35 per day, with a $15 fee for no shows, discount packages are available. Call 301-619-3950 to confirm rates, packages, and reservations.

• Pets will not be permitted to run loose. Anytime a dog is outside, they must be in a confined secured area at all times or be securely leashed and under the control of the owner.
• Residents are responsible for removing their pets' solid wastes in all areas.
• Breeding or raising animals in housing is prohibited.
• Farm, exotic and wild animals are not allowed in family housing.  This includes all animals normally used for work, kept for the production of food, or possums, raccoons, and any other species of animal not usually considered to be domestic.