CitizensNet

April 30, 2024

BARC Houston, BISSELL Pet Foundation to Reduce Adoption Fees

BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, is prompting a national call for adoption once again this spring with its “Empty the Shelters” reduced-fee adoption event May 1 – 15. BARC, the City of Houston's Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, will participate along with more than 410 shelters in 43 states. To help deserving shelter pets find loving homes, BISSELL Pet Foundation sponsors reduced adoption fees during each nationwide event.

BARC will participate May 1-15, and waive fees for all adult dogs and cats, as well as puppies and kittens. BARC will also be open for adoptions on Mondays, May 6 and 13, from noon - 5 p.m., when the shelter is traditionally closed. Adoptions are done on a first-come, first-served basis. Adopters must be over the age of 18 and have a valid ID and proof of address to adopt. Visit www.houstontx.gov/barc/adopt_a_pet.html for more information on our adoption process. Email our adoptions team at BARCadoptions@houstontx.gov to inquire about a specific pet.

"Our nation’s animal shelters are facing a capacity crisis and need your help now. Adoptions have slowed while a surge in owner surrenders due to families facing economic and housing challenges has left tens of thousands of highly adoptable pets desperate to find homes," said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Our Spring National ‘Empty the Shelters' will support the adoption of thousands of pets across the country, helping shelters in this critical time. Opening your home to a shelter pet saves a life and creates lifesaving space to help another pet in need."

BARC's adoption center is located at 3300 Carr St. and is open:

• Tuesday and Friday - Sunday: noon - 5 p.m.
• Wednesday and Thursday: noon - 7 p.m.
• BARC will be open for adoptions at our 3200 Carr St. entrance on Mondays, May 6 and 13, from noon - 5 p.m.

“Thanks to the Empty Shelters Campaign and BISSELL Pet Foundation, thousands of BARC animals have found their forever homes,” said BARC Shelter Director Jarrad Mears. “As intake continues to grow every year, strategic partnerships like these are crucial to ensuring that we find positive outcomes for our shelter pets.”

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event is the largest funded adoption event in the country. This lifesaving event began in 2016 with a goal of encouraging more families to choose adoption. More than 226, 000 pets have found loving homes since its inception. “Empty the Shelters” is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest program, partnering with 742 animal welfare organizations in 49 states and Canada to reduce adoption fees.

BISSELL Pet Foundation and BARC Houston urge families to research the pet they are interested in adopting, as well as adoption requirements. For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters and www.houstonbarc.com.

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