Prince George's County Department of the Environment Welcomes First Full-Time County Veterinarian to Animal Services Facility
LARGO, MD – The Prince George's County Department of the Environment (DoE) today announced a major milestone for animal welfare in the County with the hiring of its first-ever full-time County veterinarian, strengthening medical care and services at the Prince George's County Animal Services Facility & Adoption Center (ASFAC).
“This is a transformative moment for Animal Services and for the thousands of animals that come through our shelter each year," said Dr. Samuel B. Moki, Director of the Department of the Environment. "Having a full-time veterinarian on staff allows us to deliver more consistent, proactive, and comprehensive care, improving animal health, strengthening disease prevention, and supporting better outcomes overall."
Starting January 13, Dr. Constante Tinaza will join the Animal Services Division as a full-time veterinarian, providing 40 hours per week of on-site veterinary care. Dr. Tinaza brings extensive experience in shelter medicine, livestock care, and disease mitigation expertise that will significantly enhance the shelter's ability to care for its animals and respond to medical needs in real time.
The ASFAC is among the largest animal shelters in Maryland, caring for hundreds of dogs, cats, and other animals annually and frequently operating at or near capacity. As a high-volume, open-admission shelter, the facility faces constant demands related to intake, medical triage, population health, and disease control challenges, underscoring the importance of expanded veterinary coverage.
Prior to this appointment, the shelter relied on two dedicated part-time veterinarians who had provided years of committed service and helped build the foundation for this next phase of care. While their contributions have been invaluable, part-time coverage has limited the number of clinical hours available to meet the growing and complex needs of the shelter population. The addition of a full-time veterinarian ensures greater continuity of care, faster medical response times, and expanded capacity for exams, treatment, and disease prevention.
The part-time veterinarians will continue working with Animal Services in their current capacities, joining Dr. Tinaza as part of a strengthened veterinary team focused on delivering the highest standard of care possible.
“This milestone reflects our commitment to investing in animal welfare and supporting the staff and volunteers who care for these animals every day," said David Fisher, Associate Director of the Animal Services Division. “With three veterinarians working collaboratively, we are better positioned than ever to protect animal health and help more pets find safe, loving homes."
To read Dr. Tinaza's bio, for more information about the ASFAC, or to learn how to adopt, foster, or volunteer, visit www.princegeorgespets4us.com.
For more information, contact:
Allyson Wilson, Communications Officer
Department of the Environment
afwilson@co.pg.md.us; 202.744.3308 (cell)
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