What Maryland SPCA does

Maryland SPCA is a 501(c)-style private nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1869 and headquartered at 3300 Falls Road in Baltimore, Maryland. It operates the regional pet-homelessness reduction mission across Baltimore City and Baltimore County, delivering adoption, foster, spay/neuter, mobile veterinary care, pet food assistance, humane education, lost-and-found, rehoming, and end-of-life services through a single integrated program portfolio. The organization reports a live release rate above 90% and does not accept government operating funding, instead relying on individual donations, corporate and foundation partnerships, planned giving, and a set of service fees.

Its core operational technology stack comprises ShelterLuv for adoption and animal management workflows and the Petco Love Lost facial recognition platform for lost-and-found pet matching. Service delivery runs through five distinct channels: a main shelter campus, off-site adoption events at JC Penny, PetSmart, farmers markets and pop-up locations, a foster home network (including the Couch Crashers short-term dog program), the PAW Plus mobile veterinary clinic focused on underserved communities, and the Kibble Connection pet food pantry distributed at scheduled locations and through a Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland co-delivery partnership.

The business model is a hybrid donations-and-services structure. Donations, planned giving, corporate sponsorships and grants are the primary revenue stream. Transactional revenue is generated through unit-priced services: spay/neuter ($75 feline, $150 canine), adoption fees (with reduced $25 tier under the Forget Me Not program), $30 pet/litter surrender fees, cremation ($85–$300 depending on weight and private vs. communal), and a portfolio of ancillary veterinary fees (microchip $25, vaccines, SNAP tests). Customer segments span pet owners and adopters, foster and volunteer networks, schools and youth organizations, and corporate/foundation partners. Operational scale is evidenced by 100,000+ annual volunteer hours, 6,000+ spay/neuter surgeries in 2024, and 1,600,000 pet meals distributed via Kibble Connection in 2025.

Name

Maryland SPCA

Legal name

Maryland SPCA, Inc.

Website

https://mdspca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Maryland SPCA is a Baltimore-based nonprofit animal welfare organization, founded in 1869, providing pet adoption, spay/neuter, mobile veterinary care, pet food assistance, foster, and end-of-life services to Baltimore City and County residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spay/Neuter & High-Volume Sterilization Clinics (HLAMAAAC), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption programs
• Spay and neuter
• Veterinary assistance
• Animal welfare nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate partnerships, and planned giving programs provide the primary revenue stream. The organization does not receive government funding.
2. Spay/Neuter Services: Surgical services for cats and dogs with fees ranging from $75-$150 per procedure plus optional add-ons. Some procedures provided free to low-income residents.
3. Adoption Fees: Fees for adopting cats and dogs from the shelter, with reduced fees for certain animals through programs like Forget Me Nots.
4. Pet Surrender Fees: $30 surrender fee per pet or litter for owners unable to keep their animals.
5. End-of-Life Services: Humane euthanasia and cremation services with fees based on animal weight, ranging from $85-$300.
6. Vehicle and Supply Donations: Accepts vehicle donations and material supply donations as additional revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Maryland SPCA operates an animal shelter and a suite of pet welfare programs in Baltimore, including pet adoption, a spay/neuter clinic, mobile veterinary care (PAW Plus), pet food assistance (Kibble Connection), foster care, end-of-life services, rehoming assistance, lost and found pet reunification, and humane education. Over 6,000 spay/neuter surgeries were performed in 2024 and more than 1.6 million pet meals were provided in 2025.

Product overview

The Maryland SPCA operates as an animal welfare organization offering a comprehensive suite of pet-focused programs and services in the Baltimore area. The organization provides pet adoption services through an online platform and adoption events, spay/neuter surgical services at its clinic (over 6,000 surgeries in 2024), and the mobile Paw Plus Clinic offering free veterinary care to underserved communities. Additional programs include the Kibble Connection food pantry for pet owners in need, community education initiatives (Wagging Tales, Kindness for Paws), foster care placement including the Couch Crashers short-term dog program, lost and found pet reunification, end-of-life services (euthanasia and cremation), pet rehoming assistance, volunteer coordination, and signature community events. The portfolio functions as an integrated animal welfare ecosystem addressing the full lifecycle of pet ownership from adoption through end of life, with community support services designed to reduce pet homelessness and keep families together.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Facilitates the adoption of cats and dogs from the Maryland SPCA shelter through an online listing platform powered by ShelterLuv, with reduced-fee Forget Me Not program animals available at $25.
• Spay/Neuter Clinic Provides spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs at the main clinic in Baltimore, with over 6,000 surgeries performed in 2024. Pricing is $75 for felines and $150 for canines, with free services for qualifying low-income Baltimore City residents.
• Paw Plus Mobile Veterinary Clinic Mobile wellness clinic providing free vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, microchipping, exams, and basic treatments to pets in underserved Baltimore City communities.
• Kibble Connection Food Pantry Pet food assistance program providing essential pet food to families in need, with weekly distributions and a Meals on Wheels partnership for homebound seniors. Provided 1,600,000 meals in 2025.
• Community Education Programs Humane education offerings for children and adults, including the Wagging Tales reading program pairing students with shelter dogs, Kindness for Paws art show, and continuing education courses.
• Foster Care Program Places kittens, puppies, dogs, and cats in volunteer foster homes, including the Couch Crashers short-term fostering program for adult dogs over 40 lbs.
• Lost and Found Pet Services Assistance reuniting lost pets with owners through the Petco Love Lost facial recognition platform, shelter partnerships, microchip registration, and social media resources. Includes associated impound, boarding, vaccine, exam, medicine, microchip, and spay/neuter fees.
• End-of-Life Services Low-cost humane euthanasia and cremation services for pets, offering private ($200-$300) and communal ($85-$200) cremation options priced by animal weight.
• Pet Rehoming Services Resources to help pet owners rehome animals, including the Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com partnership, owner surrender services with a $30 per pet/litter fee, and screening guidance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ volunteer hours donated annually
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supportive.

• VCA Animal HospitalscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership providing free post-adoption veterinary check-ups for pets adopted through the Forget Me Not program. VCA offers medical and behavior support during the foster period.
• Petco LovecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership using Petco Love Lost platform with facial recognition technology to match lost and found pets. Maryland SPCA is a Petco Love Lost partner.
• Tito's Handmade VodkamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Summer of Love pet adoption store event, supporting multi-shelter collaboration adoption initiative.
• Baltimore RavensmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEric DeCosta serves as Maryland SPCA Ambassador; Ravens participate in community events and awareness campaigns.
• Meals on Wheels of Central MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing pet food to homebound and disabled senior citizens alongside meal deliveries.
• B-More DogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership through Kibble Connection food pantry and PAW Plus veterinary clinics, providing neighborhood-specific support.
• The Village VetcoreTechnology or IntegrationVeterinary partner providing support for animal care and referral services.
• Evergreen Veterinary CarecoreTechnology or IntegrationVeterinary partner providing care support for shelter animals and adoption referrals.
• Greater Good CharitiessupportiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organization supporting shelter programs and initiatives.
• IDEXXsupportiveTechnology or IntegrationDiagnostic technology partner supporting veterinary services and testing capabilities.
• Pet ERsupportiveTechnology or IntegrationEmergency veterinary partner for after-hours animal care referrals.
• The Daily RecordsupportiveGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing coverage and visibility for organizational initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Petco Love (Petco Foundation): Animal-welfare focused foundation of Petco that funds adoption, spay/neuter, and lost-pet programs. Comparable as a partner/funder in the lost-and-found and adoption space, though structured as a grant-making entity rather than an operating shelter.
• Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com: Digital rehoming platform partnering with Maryland SPCA to direct owner-surrendered pets to private adoptions. Comparable in the pet rehoming/adoption funnel, though delivered as a software platform rather than a brick-and-mortar shelter.

Broad incumbents

• PetSmart Charities: Major animal welfare funder supporting adoption, spay/neuter, and emergency boarding programs nationwide. Comparable as a funder in the same operating space and a frequent collaborator with regional SPCAs.
• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization providing sheltering, veterinary, and advocacy services. Comparable in mission and service breadth, though operating at significantly larger geographic and fundraising scale.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Leading national no-kill animal welfare network operating sanctuaries, adoption programs, and spay/neuter initiatives. Comparable in live-release focus and community programs, but with national rather than regional reach.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): National animal welfare advocacy and direct-service organization. Comparable in advocacy and sheltering mission, with a broader lobbying and policy function Maryland SPCA does not perform.

Direct peers

• Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS): Operates the primary open-admission animal shelter serving Baltimore City, providing adoption, spay/neuter, and surrender services. Directly comparable to Maryland SPCA in mission, service mix, and geographic footprint.
• Baltimore Humane Society: Regional animal welfare organization offering adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter, veterinary care, and youth education programs in the Baltimore metro area. Closely overlaps Maryland SPCA's portfolio of community-facing services.

Others

• VCA Animal Hospitals: National network of veterinary hospitals providing post-adoption check-ups and partner vet support to Maryland SPCA. Comparable as a veterinary services provider, though operating as a for-profit clinical chain rather than a nonprofit.
• Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland: Partner organization delivering pet food to homebound seniors alongside human meals via the Kibble Connection program. Operates in adjacent human-services space and is a direct ecosystem collaborator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mdspca
• Facebookfacebook.com/mdspca
• Instagraminstagram.com/mdspca/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@mdspca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maryland-spca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maryland SPCA