BARC ANIMAL SHELTER AND ADOPTIONS



Urgent Pets

Urgent Pets Annually, BARC takes in more than 15,000 animals and works hard to find a home for all adoptable pets. Animals become candidates for our Urgent Pets’ lists based on several factors, including, but not limited to, an animal’s physical and mental health, behavior, amount of space available in the shelter, and staffing levels. Our outreach office partners with adopters, fosters, and rescue groups to find live outcomes, where possible, for our Urgent Pets.

How You Can Help

Urgent pets need a plan by 1 p.m. the same day they are placed on our Code Red list. They must also be picked up by end of that same day, as well. If you contact us after 1 p.m., the pet's availability is not guaranteed. In this situation, a plan refers to a local adopter or an approved BARC foster or rescue who can take the animal in need from the shelter that same day.

Adopt

Please come to BARC before 1 p.m. or contact BARCadoptions@houstontx.gov before 1 p.m. to confirm your visit to adopt that day before BARC closes for adoptions. You must be over the age of 18 and have a valid ID and proof of address. Visit www.houstontx.gov/barc/adopt_a_pet.html for more information on our adoption process.

Foster

Before you can foster a Code Red animal, you must receive approval to be a BARC foster. You can complete a foster application online at www.houstontx.gov/barc/foster_a_pet.html. Once you are approved, you can contact the BARC foster office regarding any pets available for the foster program at BARCfoster@houstontx.gov. When contacting the foster office, you will need the pet’s seven-digit animal ID number, which can be found on our reports and begins with the letter A.

Reminder: if you are interested in fostering a Code Red animal, you must reach out to the foster office before the 1 p.m. deadline.

Rescue

All rescue tags must be come from an approved BARC rescue and be communicated to BARC.Aid@houstontx.gov before 1 p.m. the day an animal appears on the Code Red list
To become an approved BARC Rescue, visit www.houstontx.gov/barc/rescue-and-transport.html

Contact us

Reminder: If you are interested in helping a Code Red animal you must reach out to the Outreach office before the 1 p.m. deadline.

View our hours of operation

Phone:
832.395.9084
Email Our Foster Team:
BARCFoster@houstontx.gov
Email Our Rescue Team:
BARC.aid@houstontx.gov
Email Our Adoption Team:
BARCadoptions@houstontx.gov

Capacity for Care Gauge

Capacity for Care Gauge is updated every Monday and Friday.

Urgent Pet Reports

Code Yellow Report
Code Yellow Report

TThis report shows pets who have been identified as having medical or behavioral conditions, physical or mental deterioration due to length of stay in the kennel environment, or any combination of the above. These animals are at risk for euthanasia and a medium priority.

Code Yellow - Dogs
(.pdf, updates at :45 every hour)

Code Yellow - Cats
(.pdf, updates at :15 every hour)

Code Orange Report
Code Orange Report

This report shows pets who are at risk for euthanasia in the next 48 hours. These pets are in urgent need for adoption, foster, or rescue assistance. While the report may change throughout the day, pets that do not leave the shelter will move to the Code Red list. These pets are at high risk for euthanasia and are a high priority.

Code Orange - Dogs
(.pdf, updates at :45 every hour)

Code Orange - Cats
(.pdf, updates at :15 every hour)

Code Red Report
Code Red Report

This report shows pets who are at immediate risk for euthanasia the following day, are the highest priority, and in most urgent need for foster or rescue assistance.  While the report may change throughout the day, the report is considered final at 6 p.m.  Pets on the list as of 6 p.m. each day will be held for rescue/adoption/foster until 1 p.m. the following day.  If intake exceeds capacity, these pets could be chosen for euthanasia.

Code RED - Dogs & Cats
(.pdf, updates at :00 every hour)



Urgent Pet Updates Report

This report shows updated outcomes for pets on the Code Red List. This report is updated daily at 9 a.m. with the Code Red pets for that day. Animals extended from the previous day’s Code Red list will be shown at top of the list.

This document is updated hourly from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., with a final update shared between 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Urgent Pet Report Key Terms and Definitions

  • FELV/FIV or HW Status: Felv/FIV refers to cats only and indicates a positive test for Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and/or feline leukemia virus. HW refers only to dogs and indicates the dog’s Heartworm status
  • Outcome Request: If an animal is designated Rescue Only, that means the animal is not available to adopt or foster. Rescue-only status may be assigned to an animal due to several potential factors, but it is often due to the potential safety risk this animal poses to the population at large, or its extensive health or behavior issues that will require an experienced handler, beyond what a potential inexperienced foster or adopter can provide.
  • Reason: This indicates the reason an animal is in urgent risk of euthanasia.

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    More details

    Shelter Residency 15+ Days

    Shelter Residency 15+ days
    This report shows pets who have been in the shelter more than 15 days. These animals may be at risk for euthanasia during periods of high intake volumes and are a high priority when the shelter reaches maximum capacity.

    (.pdf, updates at :31 every hour)
    Shelter Residency 15+ Days


    BARC frequently asked questions


    BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions is committed to transparency when it comes to our daily operations and procedures. Visit our FAQ page to learn more.

    FAQ Link

    Still have questions? Email BARC.Communications@houstontx.gov!

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    Houston, TX 77026
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