CHARM Rescue

Columbia, MD

Formerly the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County (founded 1944), rebranded to CHARM Rescue in 2025. Currently 100% foster-supported while rebuilding its shelter structures, alongside low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter clinics.

Hours Fully foster-based, no open shelter hours; all animals are in foster care and require an application to meet.

Areas served Howard County and central Maryland (vaccine clinic at 8556 Davis Rd, Columbia, MD)

Adopting

Fees, requirements & process

Call (443) 741-1280 for current adoption fees.

How it works

Start with the adoption application at https://charmrescue.org/adoptable-pets, then contact CHARM Rescue at (443) 741-1280 or info@charmrescue.org to arrange meeting a cat.

Location

Find CHARM Rescue

The area

Howard County at a glance

Population 336,328

Housing units 125,286

Est. households with a cat 38,862

Estimated by applying the AVMA's 2024 national cat-ownership rate (32.1% of households) to the county's real household count from the Census Bureau — a national rate applied locally, not a local survey. Population and housing figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is CHARM Rescue the same as the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County?

Yes, the organization rebranded from the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County to CHARM Rescue in 2025.

Does CHARM Rescue have a shelter to visit?

Not currently. The organization is fully foster-based while rebuilding its shelter structures; all adoptable animals live in foster homes and require an application to meet.

Get involved

Support CHARM Rescue

Surrendering a cat

Contact CHARM Rescue at (443) 741-1280 or info@charmrescue.org to ask about surrendering a cat. Intake policies change with shelter capacity, so check before bringing an animal in.

Donate Become a foster