District J

Animal Welfare

District J is proud to work with several organizations in an attempt to address pet overpopulation and responsible pet ownership. Central to these efforts is a collaboration between the District J office and the Houston Humane Society, Team Feral, HOPE, and BARC.

The Houston Humane Society, an animal shelter and veterinary clinic, is committed to ending cruelty, abuse, and overpopulation while ensuring the highest quality of care for animals in need. A notable initiative is the Pets For Life pilot program, a groundbreaking partnership with the Houston Humane Society designed to offer critical support to pet owners in need and tackle the issue of stray animals in District J and the broader Houston area. Pets For Life, recognized nationally and already active in 32 cities, focuses on direct community engagement through door-to-door outreach, providing comprehensive veterinary care, supplies, services, and essential information at no cost. For more information, visit https://www.houstonhumane.org/.

To further assist with Houston's significant pet overpopulation problem, particularly concerning cats, Council Member Pollard has allocated funds to support Team Feral Cat Rescue and Adoption. This initiative has led to the rescue, sterilization, vaccination, and treatment of numerous cats and kittens with the help of the Rescue Vet Clinic. Fore more information about Team Feral, visit https://www.teamferal.org.

The Homeless & Orphaned Pets Endeavor (HOPE) plays a vital role in District J's comprehensive animal welfare strategy. As a coalition of dedicated animal advocates, HOPE is committed to ending the homelessness of cats and dogs in the greater Houston area. Their multifaceted approach includes fostering pets until they can be adopted into permanent homes, managing the population of feral cats through their Trap-Neuter-Return program, and educating the community on responsible pet ownership. HOPE’s efforts are instrumental in reducing the number of homeless animals and ensuring that pets receive the care and shelter they deserve. For more information, visit https://www.homelesspets.net.

Collaborations with other agencies and nonprofits help to enhance pet population efforts by providing free spay/neuter vouchers, pet vaccines, microchips, and education on responsible pet ownership to residents. BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Facility, is unique in its legal obligation to accept every animal, regardless of condition or circumstance, highlighting the comprehensive approach to animal welfare in the district. The District J office periodically partners with BARC for neighborhood sweeps to secure aggressive dogs and keep residents safe. For more information about BARC, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/barc.

Together, these programs and partnerships illustrate District J's multifaceted approach to improving animal welfare, addressing pet overpopulation, and fostering a community of responsible pet ownership.