What Is Chesapeake Search Dogs?
Updated
Chesapeake Search Dogs (CSD) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides professionally trained search and rescue dog services to government agencies at no charge. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, and states that it never charges for its services or requests payment from any government agency, family, or found individual. If you are not a government agency and need help locating a missing person, the organization directs you to call 911 immediately.
What CSD Does
CSD is a search and rescue team built around trained K9 units. According to the organization, its mission is "dedicated to finding the lost and the missing," and its services are delivered by volunteers rather than paid staff.
Key points from the organization's own description:
- Nonprofit status: 501(c)(3) organization
- Staffing: All-volunteer team
- Core service: Professionally trained search and rescue K9 services
- Cost to agencies: No charge
- Availability: 24/7, 365 days per year
Who Can Request Help
CSD separates requests into two tracks, and the correct path depends on who you are.
Government agencies
Government agencies that need immediate assistance can call 410-602-3151. CSD states this line is for government agency use only and that its services are available at no charge around the clock.
Non-government agencies and the public
If you are not a government agency and want to learn more about CSD's services, the organization asks you to contact it through its website. If you are not a government agency and need assistance locating a missing person, CSD's instruction is unambiguous: call 911 immediately rather than contacting the team directly.
How CSD Is Funded
Because CSD is an all-volunteer team, it depends on donations and fundraising to cover its financial needs. The organization states that it never charges for its services and never requests payment from any government agency, family, or found individual. That means support comes from people who choose to donate, not from the agencies or families it assists.
Getting Involved
CSD says it is always seeking dedicated members. Open positions fall into three broad areas:
| Role | What it involves |
|---|---|
| K9 Handler | Working directly with a search dog |
| Search Team Member | Field search and rescue work |
| Communications and Logistics | Supporting operations behind the scenes |
If any of these roles match your interests, the organization's website is the place to start.
Contact and Location
- Government agency emergency line: 410-602-3151
- Mailing address: PO Box 36188, Towson, MD 21286
- Online: CSD maintains a presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
- Legal name: Chesapeake Search & Rescue Dog Association Inc.
The Short Version
Chesapeake Search Dogs is a volunteer, donation-funded K9 search and rescue nonprofit serving government agencies in the Maryland area at no cost, around the clock. Government agencies with an urgent need call 410-602-3151; everyone else who needs help finding a missing person should call 911 first.