Katie Turner

Animal Advocates of Howard County is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preventing the suffering of animals in the Howard County area. Although they focus primarily on the plight of homeless pets, they also are interested in animal health, safety, and environmental issues, and they promote activities that strengthen the human-animal bond. They promote the adoption of pets from Howard County Animal Control. They provide free spay/neuter services to income-eligible residents, and provide information regarding reduced-cost services to all others. They participate in many humane education programs for young people of all ages, in schools and through other organizations.

They work extensively with dozens of species, breeds, and wildlife rescue groups, all of which pull animals in trouble from local shelters. They provide financial, volunteer, and administrative support to these groups, and secure temporary shelter to save countless animals each year. They are a member of the Maryland Link Coalition, an organization of social and law enforcement agencies that understands that violence toward animals, spouses, and children is closely connected.

I volunteer to help at the annual Spring Yard Sale, at the photos with Santa Paws event, and at the Walk For Paws, which is being held this year on Saturday, October 7, at Lake Elkhorn, in Columbia, MD. The Walk For Paws is an annual fund raiser that includes people (and sometimes their dogs) walking around Lake Elkton. Numerous vendors, such as rescue groups, pet food stores, and artists set up tents to provide information and display their creations. There is a large raffle table where people take a chance on donated items or gift certificates.