Caroline County board approves one‑day license for Humane Society raffle at Pints for Paws
July 22, 2026 | Caroline County, Maryland
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The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners voted July 22 to grant the Caroline County Humane Society a one‑day temporary license and written approval to conduct alcohol‑related raffles at its Pints for Paws fundraiser on Aug. 15, 2026, at the Cow Barn in Ridgely.
Stephanie Flower, executive director of the Caroline County Humane Society, told the board the event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the organization expects about 200–250 patrons. "So ideally, we would like you to separate raffles — one is 'cans for cats' and the other would be a wine raffle," Flower said during testimony.
Staff explained that breweries, distilleries and wineries can operate at off‑site events under a state off‑site permit issued by the Maryland Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATCC) that allows sampling, on‑site sales and limited take‑home sales; those permit holders notify counties through a weekly list the ATCC circulates. County staff said that because the breweries attending Pints for Paws will hold state off‑site permits, the breweries themselves do not necessarily require an additional local license, but the Humane Society — as the nonprofit organizer requesting a raffle that involves alcoholic beverages — needed a one‑day local license or written board approval for the raffle.
Board members discussed whether a nonprofit that is not a permanent licensee may raffle alcoholic beverages absent a local license. One member urged requiring the one‑day license so the board could impose conditions; the motion that passed required the raffle to be confined to the boundary shown on the submitted site plan and allowed staff to issue the written approval and one‑day license with a "raffle only" stipulation.
Staff said the board would issue a written approval and the applicant may pick up the license from the office; staff also recommended signage and clear boundaries to keep raffle items and any alcohol display within the approved area.
The board recorded the motion and unanimous 'aye' vote and closed the item. The license approval includes the condition that the raffle be conducted within the premises defined on the site plan and that organizers comply with any other applicable county or state requirements.
Stephanie Flower, executive director of the Caroline County Humane Society, told the board the event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the organization expects about 200–250 patrons. "So ideally, we would like you to separate raffles — one is 'cans for cats' and the other would be a wine raffle," Flower said during testimony.
Staff explained that breweries, distilleries and wineries can operate at off‑site events under a state off‑site permit issued by the Maryland Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATCC) that allows sampling, on‑site sales and limited take‑home sales; those permit holders notify counties through a weekly list the ATCC circulates. County staff said that because the breweries attending Pints for Paws will hold state off‑site permits, the breweries themselves do not necessarily require an additional local license, but the Humane Society — as the nonprofit organizer requesting a raffle that involves alcoholic beverages — needed a one‑day local license or written board approval for the raffle.
Board members discussed whether a nonprofit that is not a permanent licensee may raffle alcoholic beverages absent a local license. One member urged requiring the one‑day license so the board could impose conditions; the motion that passed required the raffle to be confined to the boundary shown on the submitted site plan and allowed staff to issue the written approval and one‑day license with a "raffle only" stipulation.
Staff said the board would issue a written approval and the applicant may pick up the license from the office; staff also recommended signage and clear boundaries to keep raffle items and any alcohol display within the approved area.
The board recorded the motion and unanimous 'aye' vote and closed the item. The license approval includes the condition that the raffle be conducted within the premises defined on the site plan and that organizers comply with any other applicable county or state requirements.
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