Looking for Love?…. think Small Miracles
My friend Marie has a Jack Russell Terrier named Boomer. I featured him in a kayak in my blog post on Dog Friendly Howard County . If you ask Marie about Boomer she’ll tell you that 
he was a 3 time loser at the shelter before she and her husband gave him his forever home. Like my friend, I am committed to helping homeless pets find forever homes. I encourage anyone looking for pet to adopt from one of the local shelters.
One of the shelters I support is Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue, a private, nonprofit, no-kill shelter located on Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. The Small Miracles staff helps homeless cats and dogs until they can be placed in permanent homes. Since opening in 2oo6 they have found families for about 6,000 cats. In 2011 Small Miracles expanded to care for dogs and has, since, placed 550 canines.
The operation is supported by volunteers who work at the center or foster animals while they are waiting to be adopted. Assistance is offered by the Petco stores in Ellicott City and Columbia and Today’s Pet in Elkridge. And though they receive a grant from the Petco foundation, the still need community support and donations because many of the animals come to them with needing medical care for injuries, broken bones or illnesses. At other shelters, pregnant dogs and cats would be euthanized at kill shelters but Small Miracles gives them the care they need and spayed or neutered before going to their forever home. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Small Miracles donations are often tax deductible but see your tax preparer for information.
Small Miracles’ adoptable pets can be searched through Petfinder. Snow White (cat) and Moose (dog), featured here are just 2 of the 138 pets available from Small Miracles. Potential adopters can meet the pets in person at the shelter on Tuesday 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Thursday 5–8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday Noon–3 p.m. Applicants must fill out the form found on the website. Adoption fees run from 50 to 100 dollars for cats, and 300 dollars for dogs. The fees for kittens are 100 dollars for one and 200 dollars for two.
An adoption fee is small compared to the joy and companionship an animal can bring into your life and home. Anatole France said “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.” If you are considering adding a pet to your home please considering adopting.
