The Animal Welfare Society of Howard County is a private non-profit animal rescue, 501(c)(3), located at 8556 Davis Road in Columbia MD, (not associated with Howard County Animal Control), the current state of the shelter has raised numerous concerns not only for the animals care, but financially and legally as well. They are currently running the risk of LOSING their 501(c)(3) status!!

A few examples of the problems being faced are as follows; animals have NOT received proper vet care, kennels are often, extremely unsanitary and potential adopters are denied based on personal bias. In addition, the director has been hoarding animals. At present we are overrun with sick cats. Cats are continuously taken in, even though we are running out of space and many of them are very sick. 

Dogs are often allowed to spend the day in their own feces before the runs are ever cleaned out. There are flies and larva in many of the crates outside as well. One dog's ears are bloody, from flies constantly eating away at them. Another dog has been experiencing seizures and she overheats. Every time it is brought to the director's attention, he pretends it is the first time he is hearing of it.

The Director is illegally distributing prescription narcotics to animals to which they were not prescribed…including selling them for profit to walk-ins at the facility. There are several documented occasions in which. “Excess” heartworm pills have been distributed to walk-ins off the street. Further, he has provided antibiotics to employees for their own personal pets. He has also authorized the dispensing of prescribed medication to animals at the facility other than those to whom they were prescribed.

Any attempt to remedy these problems, has only occurred once the director's activity was reported to Animal Control, countless times. Volunteers are DISMISSED when concerns are raised and have been FIRED for taking photos and/or associating with people who have done so. In addition, if volunteers have been suspected of reporting the director's misconduct to authorities, they are let go as well.

The Director is the sole decision maker regarding animal care and is also suspected of misusing donation funds along with misrepresenting finances to benefit from tax breaks on a personal level. AWSHC has reported less than 25,000 in donations however the director lives on the property RENT FREE and collects a salary as well. 
It is DESPERATELY time for this situation to be made public and those in charge be held accountable for not only the animals neglect, but also the ILLEGAL use of a non-profit.