Mayor's Office Press Release

June 4, 2021 -- After the recent rains, BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoptions Center, is near capacity and asking Houstonians to adopt or foster shelter pets. Thanks to the generous support from Houston City Council Members Amy Peck (District A), and Abbie Kamin (District C), BARC is offering special $5 pet adoptions in June to help keep the shelter from reaching capacity.

"I encourage everyone to find room in their heart and home for a cat or dog, maybe both. The animals available for adoption at BARC would provide years of loving companionship,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I applaud the BARC staff and Council Members Peck and Kamin for taking the initiative to save the animals and find them loving homes. Pet overpopulation is a citywide problem, and it will take all of us working together to find a permanent solution.”

“BARC took in 2200 pets in May, over 500 animals more than the previous month,” said Greg Damianoff, BARC Shelter Director. “With shelter intake levels quickly rising and expected to remain high throughout the summer, BARC is extremely grateful for Council Member Peck and Kamin’s generous support to help encourage adoptions during this busy time.”

Thanks to Council Members Peck and Kamin, BARC is dropping adoption fees to $5 this Thursday, June 3rd through Sunday, June 6th and Thursday, June 10th through Sunday, June 13th. Regular adoption fees start at $50 for dogs/puppies and $20 for cats/kittens. BARC's pet adoption package includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a one-year city pet license, and a pre-registered microchip with lifetime registration.

“I hope everyone takes advantage of this weekend’s discount adoption event. We can save these pets and help them find forever homes,” said District C Council Member Abbie Kamin.

“I encourage anyone who is thinking about adopting or buying a pet to consider going to BARC,” said District A Council Member Amy Peck. “They have a lot of amazing animals who need homes now. With upcoming $5 pet adoptions, it is extremely affordable, and you will be able to provide a home for a deserving pet in need of a new family.”

Pets currently available for adoption – as well as a list of pets who have been in the shelter the longest and are urgently in need of adoption or fostering – can be found on BARC's website. BARC encourages all Houstonians to visit BARC’s Adoptions Center (3300 Carr Street, Houston, TX 77026) to meet potential pets in person; appointments are no longer required. BARC’s Adoptions Center is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00AM and 5:00PM and closed on Monday.

The simplest, but most powerful thing Houstonians can do to help homeless animals in our community is to adopt or foster a shelter pet. Getting animals out of the shelter and into homes is critically important because it frees up space, staff, and resources BARC needs to care for additional animals as they enter the shelter.

About BARC
BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, takes in more than 25,000 animals annually regardless of behavior, breed, or medical condition. With the assistance of adopters and community partners such as fosters and rescues, BARC has maintained a live release of above 90% since October 2019. Visit www.houstonbarc.com or www.Facebook.com/BARCHouston for more information.