BARC ANIMAL SHELTER AND ADOPTIONS

Urgent Pets

Annually, BARC takes in more than 20,000 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

Adopt

Adoptions are done on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend visiting the shelter as soon as possible as animals are often adopted quickly! Please note that we are not able to place adoption holds for pets. You 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!

Foster

Before you can foster any animal from BARC, 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.

Rescue

All rescue tags must be come from an approved BARC rescue and communicated to BARC.Aid@houstontx.gov. To become an approved BARC Rescue, visit www.houstontx.gov/barc/rescue-and-transport.html