When journalist Melanie Kaplan fosters beagle Hammy after his release from a research lab, she becomes curious about his past and the broader world of animal research. She and Hammy embark on a journey – meeting researchers, activists, ethicists, and innovators. Along the way, she finds thoughtful humans on all sides of the debate, explores promising nonanimal testing developments, and uncovers Hammy’s story. Lab Dog offers hope and a nuanced look at our relationship with a species we both love and exploit.

In conversation with Patty Quimby, Executive Director of Talbot Humane, and Craig Fuller, columnist for The Talbot Spy. Q&A and book signing to follow.

Tickets: $25 (fees not included)

Bookhounds of St. Michaels will have copies for sale at the event

https://melaniedgkaplan.com/ 

To reserve your seat please visit: Spy Nights: Conversations with Craig Fuller: An evening with Melanie D.G. Kaplan | Avalon Foundation

We are thrilled to have our friend Jen Wagner supporting the pets of Talbot Humane again this January. Mark your calendars, January 17th is the next Mosaics for Pets class at Jen Wagner Studios! You DO NOT NEED to be an artist. The images below are all FIRST TIME MOSAICS! See- you CAN do it! This would make a fantastic holiday gift for someone you love or a project to push those post holidays blues away. GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE 

Register Today: https://www.jenwagnermosaics.com/pet-portrait-workshop 

In our 14^th year, UNLEASHED for Talbot Humane returns to take ordinary friends and neighbors to extraordinary feats for themselves and the animals. This year the team will be training for the Delaware Running Festival Half Marathon on April 19th in Wilmington Delaware! We are excited to be charity Partners with the race, once again working with Corrigan Sports.

What is UNLEASHED? UNLEASHED is a non-competitive, fully supportive charity run/walk program designed to help ordinary people do extraordinary things for themselves and the animals served by Talbot Humane. This program is a charity program which offers training for a half marathon in exchange for fundraising by each runner. DO NOT LET THE FUNDRAISING SCARE YOU! This is the easy part! People will give because you are doing awesome things for yourself and the animals.

This program is for couch potatoes, weekend warriors and everyone in between- come learn more about how you WILL change your life and the lives of the animals one step at a time- literally!  This year Talbot Humane has been chosen as a Charity Partner for the Delaware Running Festival. Help support the runners or buy a bib and come run that day with the team!

Important Dates: 

• Informational Meeting January 3, 2026 at 11A. Join meeting remotely at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83117173991?pwd=Sy2mY0y9vdi0iX92o1m2aykDMxJ3z3.1 
• First day of Training: Saturday January 24, 2026, at the Board of Education overflow parking lot.
• Last Day to register for Training Team: February 21, 2026
• Last Day for general public to purchase a race bib through Talbot Humane: March 14, 2026- – contact patty@talbothumane.orgto purchase
• Race Weekend April 18-19 2026

If you would like to speak to someone about the program, contact Head Coach Amy Eutsey at talbothumanevolunteer@gmail.com .

If your business would like to sponsor the team or a specific runner, please submit the sponsorship form or contact Patty Quimby at patty@talbothumane.org

• UNLEASHED sponsorship form 2026

Photos with Santa returns! 2 chances on November 30th and December 14th noon-3p. Pets, kids, families and friends come have your photo taken with Santa. $15 per print. Be sure to shop the Boutique while you wait!

The Annual Ladies Night returns to the Boutique Friday December 5th from 5p-7p. Special raffles, sales, snacks and sips! Come kickoff  your holiday shopping with us! 

Our annual Holiday Raffle is BACK!

More than 30 baskets valued at $500-$750 each thanks to our generous community will be raffled from early November- the week before Christmas! Tickets are $5 each. Each basket promises to bring you your own holiday joy!

This year we have 3 stand alone tickets available for very special prizes. Selling only 250 of each, your chances to win are great!

Tickets for the following are $20 each

• Wylder Package: Donated by the Wylder Hotel $1,000 gift certificate to use to stay or dine.
• Holiday Party Starter Pack: Donated by John & Bridget Horner this personally curated basket is filled with exclusive spirits and wines to enjoy
• Uncorked & Unleashed In Home Wine Tasting: Donated by Hair O’ The Dog and The Wine Coach. A guided tour tasting 6 curated wines for up to 8 guests in your home

Buy Tickets Now! 

Our elves have been busy all summer preparing for another fabulous year at the holiday boutique! Unique gifts for both pet lovers and others in your life! The Basket raffle returns with amazing opportunities to win! Opening day is Saturday November 1st. The shop, located directly next to Talbot Humane in the cottage will be open Wednesday-Saturday through December 20th. Come shop for a cause and find that special gift for those you love! 

It’s that time again! Time to start ordering your COOKIES! Let our volunteers do the baking for you. 

1/2 pound and 1 pound boxes available. Pre-orders close Saturday December 6th at noon. Pick up of cookies is Saturday December 13th.

Order now: https://form.jotform.com/pattycquimby/talbot-humane-cookie-walk-25 

Big things are happening at Talbot Humane! We’re raising $5M to build a new state-of-the-art shelter in Easton, and we’re hiring a Capital Campaign Manager to help make it possible. If you’re a skilled fundraiser ready to make an impact, send cover letter and resume to Patty Quimby patty@talbothumane.org or mail Talbot Humane PO Box 1143 Easton, MD 21601 Attn Patty Quimby.

Job Description: Talbot Humane Capital Campaign Manager JD 9.11.25

Many of you have heard the chatter for some time. We started this idea pre-COVID and now, we have hit “Start” on a project that will change the lives of not only the animals in our care, but the pets and their people of the Midshore. The process of designing the new Talbot Humane Animal Welfare center is underway! We are working with local experts, staff and volunteers who will be leading us to the finish line on this much overdue and exciting new space.

We have been right here since this piece of property was given to Talbot County Humane Society in 1949, with several renovations over the years. Over the past 76 years, along with expansions and improvements to the building, how society treats our animals has also undergone an awesome transformation. From animals living in the backyard to truly being a part of the family, not only acknowledging the human-animal bond, but embracing it.

The new building will be right next to the shelter, on the property Talbot Humane bought in 2021. Ideally we will build that building and be able to take occupancy then the current shelter would come down. The vision, directly from staff, volunteers, and the community is multifaceted.  Creating safe, Fear Free living quarters- considering not only the physical but mental needs of every animal is paramount- inside and out; while also fostering a welcoming experience for the public, volunteers, and staff. If you have visited in recent years you know this space was simply not built for community programs and services! The new space will allow staff and volunteers to fill the communities’ needs. Our goal- low-cost veterinary care on site, training opportunities, humane education visits, camps, events and beyond right on campus!  A true community center for the pets and their people.

I am so excited to be sharing this news with you. It is well past time that we have the facility the pets, people, staff and volunteers need and deserve. I look forward so keeping you updated as things progress. If you have any questions you know where to find me- email or come see me at Talbot Humane!

For the Animals,

Patty Crankshaw-Quimby

Executive Director