Our network

Urban Wildlife

WHS Protects and Serves DC Animals in 2011

WHS Protects and Serves DC Animals in 2011

2011 has been another busy year for our field services team, comprised of our Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) and Animal Care and Control Officers. To date, our field services division has responded to nearly 15,000 new calls, including over 1,300 cases of animal cruelty and neglect investigated by our HLE officers.  

Hit the Trail

Hit the Trail

What would you expect a four-and-three-quarter-year-old to say at the end of a four-and-a-half-mile hike that she just finished using her own two feet? “What a wonderful day,” Sofi announced when we walked past the old Tavern (that I was wishing was still a tavern) at Great Falls National Park.

Copperhead Snake Found in Gaithersburg

Copperhead Snake Found in Gaithersburg

This Information was sent to us by the City of Gaithersburg:

On June 6, 2011, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Gaithersburg Animal Control captured a Copperhead snake in the 100 block of Swanton Lane in the Orchard Park Community.  The Copperhead is one of only two venomous snakes that are indigenous to Maryland; the other is the Timber Rattlesnake. 

Copperheads are the most active in the warmer summer months at dusk and evening hours.  During daylight hours they are prone to lie underneath objects to take cover from the hot summer sun.  Their natural camouflage coloring makes them difficult to detect if they are lying in leaves or brush.

While it is rare that City Animal Control officers encounter Copperheads in Gaithersburg, it is a reminder that residents should be aware of their surroundings when doing yard work and other outdoor activities. 

For quick identification of the Copperhead, visit: 

Please help WHS win $100,000 to save more animals lives!

Please vote for WHS in the ASPCA's $100K Challenge to save lives. The money would be used to help WHS save more animals in DC

Montgomery Parks Historic Sites Season Opens Saturday, April 2

Montgomery Parks Historic Sites Season Opens Saturday, April 2

From Montgomery County Department of Parks:

Bluebirds Take Flight in Montgomery Parks: Thanks to Volunteers More than 1,200 Fledged in 2010

Bluebirds Take Flight in Montgomery Parks: Thanks to Volunteers More than 1,200 Fledged in 2010

From Montgomery County Department of Parks:

Georgetown Cupcake Bakes Special Cupcakes to Benefit the National Zoo

Georgetown Cupcake Bakes Special Cupcakes to Benefit the National Zoo

Gorillas’ Birthday Celebration Featured on TLC’s DC Cupcakes

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be featured on the season two premiere of DC Cupcakes, airing Feb. 25 at 10:30 p.m. on TLC.  In honor of the Zoo’s episode, Georgetown Cupcake will sell a honey-banana-flavored cupcake named “Gone Bananas!” and donate the entire proceeds to benefit the Zoo’s conservation programs. The promotion will run from Feb. 18 to March 4 at both the Georgetown and Bethesda cupcake stores.  

DC Cupcakes follows sisters and business partners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis and their colorful crew at Georgetown Cupcake. Portions of the premiere were filmed at the Great Ape House in November to celebrate the birthdays of two male western lowland gorillas, Kwame, 11, and Kojo, 9.