Talbot Humane is excited to announce our fall Community and Adoption Event: Paws Under the Big Top! We’re proud to be teaming up with other local rescues, community service organizers, and more!

SAVE THE DATE!

October 17th from 11 AM to 3 PM!

Paws Under the Big Top is a FREE, family entertainment and community service event featuring a truck or treat, local rescues and humane societies, community resources, a band, food trucks, kid’s activities, and more!

A huge thank you to our community supporters who will be joining us that day! Come out and enjoy the trunk or treat, bounce house,  face painting,  food trucks, DJ Tank, temporary tattoos, pumpkin painting, and community organizers here to share so many of the amazing resources Talbot County has to offer.

REGISTER NOW

While our event is FREE to attend, all adoption policies are still in place for animals. Please visit our site to apply now. Once approved, applications are good for up to six months, so you’ll be ready to go the day of the event! You can apply HERE.

For same day adoptions please bring the following paperwork with you:

• A copy of your current lease with pet policy if you rent
• Up-to-date rabies vaccination records for all pets currently in the home
• Driver’s license or State Issued ID

We highly encourage you to pre-apply, as same day adoptions will be processed AFTER preapproved applications.

This process is for Talbot Humane animals ONLY. Each rescue or humane society will have their own adoption process.

THERE ARE NO ADOPTION FEES FOR THIS EVENT!

To pre-apply at any of our partner rescues or humane societies for this event, please visit their websites.

For Dorchester County Dog Control, click here.

For Caroline Humane Society, click here.

For Kent County Humane, click here.

For Hill Hounds Rescue and Animal Sanctuary, click here.

For Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue, click here.

Please check back often, as we will continue to update community services and activities as more organizations register. For more information, contact Laura at adoptions@talbothumane.org

Talbot Humane’s PAWS to Read Challenge begins Sept. 1, pairing young readers with shelter animals who love a good story.

Talbot County Free Library is partnering with us and will have books ready for participants to check out. Sign up today and help a child build confidence while giving an animal some welcome companionship.

Participants earn rewards for every 25 hours logged, including an activity bundle at 25 hours, a pizza gift certificate at 50 hours, and a PAWS to Read T-shirt at 75 hours. Children also can receive recognition on Talbot Humane’s social media channels with parental approval.

The challenge continues through Aug. 1, 2027. Children must enroll in Talbot Humane’s PAWS to Read program and complete an orientation with Volunteer Coordinator Megan Dornton before participating.

Talbot Humane is celebrating Executive Director Patty Crankshaw-Quimby’s 15th anniversary leading the organization, marking a period of growth that has transformed the nonprofit from a traditional animal shelter into a nationally recognized community resource for animals and the people who care for them.

To celebrate the milestone, Talbot Humane is inviting supporters to double their impact through Sept. 30. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, gifts to the organization’s general fund will be matched dollar for dollar, helping twice as many animals receive care, shelter, and a second chance.

Crankshaw-Quimby joined Talbot Humane in 1999 as an animal caretaker and has served in nearly every operational role within the organization, including animal control officer, humane officer, shelter coordinator, and interim executive director before becoming executive director in 2011.

During her tenure, Talbot Humane has expanded far beyond traditional shelter operations to include pet retention services, foster care, pet food assistance, low-cost spay and neuter initiatives, community outreach, and other programs designed to keep pets and families together whenever possible.

“Patty’s leadership has helped transform not only Talbot Humane, but also the way our community thinks about animal welfare,” said Bridget Horner, president of Talbot Humane’s Board of Directors. “Her vision, compassion and commitment to excellence have strengthened our organization, expanded our impact and improved countless lives across the Mid-Shore.”

Since 2011, Talbot Humane’s annual operating budget has grown from approximately $600,000 to more than $1.5 million, supporting expanded programs, professional staff, and stronger partnerships throughout the Mid-Shore.

Volunteer participation has increased from approximately 15 volunteers to more than 100 active volunteers, while the organization’s foster network now provides temporary care for about 500 animals each year. Talbot Humane also maintains a live release rate of approximately 93 percent.

“The number of animals coming in continues to go down, but the number of people and animals we serve in the community keeps increasing,” Crankshaw-Quimby said. “We’re dedicated to keeping as many pets as possible with their people at home.”

Beyond Talbot Humane, Crankshaw-Quimby has become a respected leader in Maryland’s animal welfare community. She serves as vice president of the Maryland Board of Veterinary Examiners, is a member of Maryland’s Spay and Neuter Advisory Board, and has served as president of Professional Animal Workers of Maryland since 2015. She is also a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator, a credential held by fewer than 400 professionals nationwide.

Crankshaw-Quimby said Talbot Humane’s accomplishments reflect the commitment of staff, volunteers, adopters, donors, and community partners who have embraced the organization’s mission.

“If you want to be the standard of excellence in animal welfare, you have to build a team that is the standard of excellence in animal welfare,” she said.

Founded in 1932, Talbot Humane serves Maryland’s Mid-Shore through animal sheltering, pet adoption, humane law enforcement, community outreach, foster care, pet retention services, and programs that strengthen the human-animal bond.

To make a gift to the anniversary campaign, visit us here: Talbot County Humane Society – Matching Gift Campaign Celebrates Patty’s 15 Years 

Talbot Humane is proud to join animal shelters across the state in the return of the “Maryland 3,000” adoption challenge, hosted by the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (BAWA). For the entire month of August, adoption fees will be waived to help thousands of animals across Maryland find loving homes.

“Our shelter is excited to be part of this life-saving statewide initiative,” said Patty Crankshaw-Quimby, executive director of Talbot Humane. “We’ve seen firsthand how impactful these events are—not just for the animals, but for the families who welcome them home. Our team is ready to help adopters find their perfect match this August.”

Originally launched more than a decade ago by BAWA, Maryland 3,000 has become one of the state’s largest collaborative adoption initiatives. Following a brief hiatus, the challenge returned in 2025 with overwhelming support from shelters and communities across Maryland, resulting in 3,152 pets finding homes—surpassing the original goal of 3,000 adoptions. With the many shelter partners participating in 2026, the goal is to build on that momentum and make this year’s challenge the most successful yet.

For more information and a full list of participating shelters, visit www.maryland3000.org.

As temperatures continue to climb across Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the animal care professionals at Talbot Humane are reminding pet families that a little planning can go a long way toward preventing heat-related emergencies for companion animals.

While many families look forward to spending more time outdoors during the summer, hot weather can become dangerous for pets much faster than people realize. Dogs, cats, and other companion animals are less able to regulate their body temperature than humans, making them especially vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

“Our team sees firsthand how quickly heat can become life-threatening for pets,” said Patty Crankshaw-Quimby, CAWA, executive director of Talbot Humane.

“One of the most important parts of our mission is sharing trusted information that helps families keep their animals safe, healthy, and at home,” she says. “We want our community to enjoy summer with their pets while understanding the simple precautions that can prevent a tragedy.”

The Talbot Humane team of experts recommends the following summer safety tips for pets:
• Never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. Temperatures inside a vehicle can become deadly very quickly, even with windows partially open.
• Walk dogs during the cooler morning or evening hours.
• Check pavement before heading out. If it’s too hot for the back of your hand for several seconds, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.
• Provide fresh, cool drinking water at all times.
• Make sure pets have access to shade whenever they are outdoors.
• Limit strenuous exercise during periods of high heat and humidity.
• Closely monitor puppies, kittens, senior pets, and animals with chronic health conditions, as they are at greater risk of overheating.
• Pay extra attention to flat-faced breeds, including Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Persian cats, which have greater difficulty cooling themselves.
• Maintain regular grooming to help pets stay comfortable during warmer months.
Knowing the warning signs of heatstroke can also save a pet’s life. Seek immediate veterinary care if your pet experiences:
• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Heavy drooling
• Bright red or unusually pale gums
• Weakness or lethargy
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of coordination
• Collapse or unconsciousness

If heatstroke is suspected, move the pet to a cool, shaded location, offer small amounts of cool water, and apply cool, wet towels while arranging immediate veterinary care. Avoid using ice water, which can interfere with the body’s natural cooling process.

According to Quimby-Crankshaw, education is one of the most important services Talbot Humane provides to the community.

“Our team includes experienced animal care professionals who are always happy to answer questions about responsible pet care, seasonal safety, behavior, nutrition, and other topics that help strengthen the bond between people and their pets,” she said. “Whether someone adopted from us years ago or simply wants reliable guidance, we’re here to help.”

As Talbot County’s only open-admission animal shelter, Talbot Humane provides sheltering, adoption services, lost-and-found assistance, humane education, pet retention resources, community outreach, and programs that support both animals and the people who love them.

Through its mission of connecting animals, people, and community, Talbot Humane works every day toward its vision that the best shelter is a humane community.

Community members seeking pet care advice, information about available programs, volunteer opportunities, or adoptable animals are encouraged to visit www.talbothumane.org or contact Talbot Humane directly. The organization’s knowledgeable staff is available year-round to provide guidance and connect pet families with helpful resources.

For more information, visit www.talbothumane.org or call 410-822-0107.

Get those photos ready- the 8th year of this amazing FUNdraiser is here! Starting June 15th you may enter your best friend into the running to be a featured friend in our 2027 calendar. 

Visit the contest website here for more details on how to enter!  www.gogophotocontest.com/talbothumane2027

Plan to come shop or sell on June 6th! 

Spots available for $20 donation. Reserve a spot today, pay on June 6th:  https://form.jotform.com/pattycquimby/2026-talbot-humane-yard-sale 

DONATIONS BEING ACCEPTED APRIL 15- JUNE 1

Items we will accept:

• NON-STAINED, NON-TORN Clothing
• NON Broken children’s toys
• Working small appliances
• furniture
• Books
• Shoes in good condition
• Arts and crafts supplies
• Framed Art
• Any items in good or new condition
• Pet supplies 
• Have a question on an item to donate? Ask Patty patty@talbothumane.org 

We ask if you would not buy it, please do not ask us to sell it- it just makes more work for our staff and volunteers. 

RETURNING THIS YEAR!!! Our Bougie Boutique Tent made A LOT of $$ for the animals last year!

Got bougie stuff or cool oddities to sell? Vintage toys or clothing? One of a kind chachkas? We want that too! Contact Patty Quimby to donate. 

NEls