New BARC Trailer Gives Houston Pets Another Chance At Adoption

HOUSTON, TX — BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoptions Center, and City Council Member Karla Cisneros today launched a new mobile adoption trailer that will boost BARC’s "live release" efforts across Houston.

The 16-foot trailer, purchased with a $36,000 donation from Cisneros, will provide mobile adoption events and animal transports for Healthy Pets, Healthy Streets – BARC’s citywide, free spay/neuter program.

“BARC has so many adoptable dogs and cats that deserve loving homes and we are grateful for Council Member Cisneros’ generous donation," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. "Thanks to her support, BARC will now have two mobile adoption trailers out in the community, helping homeless pets find forever homes and bringing free spay/neuter services to neighborhoods with high stray animal populations.”

BARC takes in between 25,000 and 30,000 animals annually regardless of behavior, breed or medical condition. It works each day to improve the health and safety of Houstonians and their pets by pioneering programs such as no- and low-cost spay/neuter services, mobile adoptions, transfer/rescue partnerships, and community outreach.

“One of our city’s biggest ongoing challenges is the animal overpopulation crisis," Cisneros said. "As a council member, it has been important to me to support solutions that bolster adoptions and reduce the homeless dog and cat population, whether that be through adoptions or strategic prevention measures."

“I am so thrilled to support BARC’s efforts to keep the dogs and cats of District H and all of Houston off the streets and in safe, loving homes," she continued.

Through these programs and with support from the community, BARC’s live release rate has improved from single-digits in 2009 to 84percent in 2017.

BARC has hundreds of dogs and cats of all ages, breeds, and sizes available for adoption. Pets available for adoption can be viewed viewed here.

However, potential pet owners are encouraged to visit BARC at 3300 Carr Street, Houston 77026, and meet each animal. BARC is open for adoptions seven days a week from noon - 5 p.m.

For those who are unable to permanently adopt a pet but would like to help animals in need, BARC encourages becoming a volunteer or foster pet parent at BARC. Many dogs and cats enter BARC with skin conditions, upper respiratory infections and other treatable conditions that must be taken care of outside of the shelter before adoption.

Some puppies and kittens that enter BARC are too young for adoption and must be fostered before they can go home with a permanent family. Getting these animals out of BARC and into foster homes is an essential component to BARC’s live release initiatives as it frees up space for incoming animals entering the shelter.

To donate to BARC, visit www.HoustonBARCFoundation.org

(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)