A County ‘Fur’ Everyone: Modernizing Animal Services and Putting Compassion First

Nick Stewart believes how we treat animals says everything about who we are as a community.

In a county filled with pet owners, rescue volunteers, and animal lovers, our policies should reflect our compassion. But for too long, Baltimore County’s animal services system has suffered from inconsistent leadership, overcrowded shelters, preventable cruelty cases, and a lack of public trust.

Nick knows we can do better — and as County Executive, he’ll lead with accountability, transparency, and common sense to deliver an animal services system that works for people and pets alike.

Nick’s Plan: Better Systems. Safer Animals. Stronger Communities.

Transparency That Builds Trust

Baltimore County residents deserve a system that listens and responds. Nick will:

• Reactivate the Animal Services Advisory Commission — which hasn’t met since 2022 — with quarterly public meetings, comment periods, and a community liaison.
• Launch PetStat, a public-facing dashboard that tracks implementation of animal services recommendations.
• Create a “Community Care for Animals” Hub, a 24/7 digital resource for real-time shelter data, inspection reports, complaints, and feedback tools.

Keep Families Together with Pet-Friendly Housing

No one should have to choose between a home and a beloved pet. Nick will:

• End breed-specific restrictions in county-supported housing.
• Work with landlords and HOAs to eliminate discriminatory pet policies.
• Expand pet-friendly rental assistance and ensure alignment with fair housing laws.

Real Enforcement for Real Protection

Too many tragedies — like Oscar, the dog who froze to death in Arbutus — highlight systemic failures. In 2024 alone, over 180 animals were rescued from cruelty in Essex and Baltimore City. Nick will:

• Fully enforce Oscar’s Law, with trained personnel and rapid response capabilities.
• Fund and train Animal Services Officers (ASOs) so enforcement doesn’t fall to already-overstretched police.
• Strengthen regional coordination on large-scale cruelty investigations.
• Treat hoarding as a public health crisis, ensuring intervention and prevention go hand in hand.

Stronger Shelters. Smarter Services.

Our shelters are under stress — not from lack of compassion, but from lack of capacity and support. Nick will:

• Reform hiring practices to fill vacancies faster — especially for veterinary staff and shelter leadership.
• Phase out outdated behavior tests and implement enrichment programs and supervised playgroups.
• End indefinite administrative holds that keep animals warehoused without resolution.

Expand Access and Reach

Animal services should be accessible across every ZIP code — not just in Baldwin. Nick will:

• Open a full-service shelter or resource hub in Dundalk, bringing services closer to the East Side.
• Expand mobile outreach, including spay/neuter clinics, vaccines, microchipping, and the fan-favorite Cuddle Shuttle.

Prevent Problems Before They Start

Nick believes in prevention over punishment — and giving residents the tools to care for their pets. He’ll:

• Grow finder-to-foster programs that help lost animals stay out of shelters.
• Expand spay/neuter outreach in under-resourced communities.
• Equip ASOs with not just citation pads — but also tools, supplies, and education-based strategies.

A County Pet Food & Supply Bank

No one should have to give up a pet due to temporary hardship. Nick will launch a County-Run Pet Food & Supply Bank that:

• Provides free pet food and cat litter to any resident who calls for help — with no invasive forms or income requirements.
• Partners with local shelters, vets, and nonprofits to maintain donations and resources.
• Deploys mobile delivery options for seniors, disabled residents, and those without transportation.

A Humane Vision for County Government

This isn’t just about animals — it’s about the kind of leadership we deserve. A government that’s responsive. Humane. Rooted in shared values.

Nick Stewart will bring Baltimore County a modern, effective, and compassionate animal services system — one that honors the dignity of all life and reflects the strength of our community.

Let’s build a county where compassion is policy.
Let’s build a county that works — for everyone.