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BARC Out of Space, Shelter Needs Houston to Adopt or Foster Today!

(12/16/2010)


BARC, the City of Houston's animal shelter, is fighting a capacity crisis. BARC has received an abnormally high number of dogs due to law enforcement activity, and has exhausted its capability to provide additional space. Over the last two weeks, the shelter has received many dogs whose owners were incarcerated. Pets are frequently confiscated when their owners are incarcerated for offenses, which in most cases are not related to the animals in their care. BARC also quarantines bite case animals and animals which have been the victims of cruelty. In each of the situations described above, BARC must adhere to hold periods mandated by law. For example, confiscated animals must be held until a hearing determines whether the animal may be returned to the owner once they are no longer in custody. Bite cases must be held for ten days from the day of the bite, and animal cruelty victims are considered evidence which must be cared for, to the extent humanely possible, until each case has been resolved.

This impacts the shelter because BARC cannot offer these animals to rescue organizations, fosters, or move them to the adoption kennel. The only space available to free room for intakes, which is currently at a rate of 50-60 per day, is to make room in the adoption wards. The dog adoption kennel is currently full of healthy and wonderful future pets, and they need Houstonians' to come see how great they are. Most of the animals at the shelter now are mature, which further restricts BARC's ability to optimize space since it cannot confine multiple animals in one kennel as it may do with litters of puppies or kittens.

In an unprecedented move to respond to this situation, BARC will expand it's current weekend 2-for-1 and 50% adoption fee special to every day through New Year's, on all dogs and cats. BARC had great success with the 2-for-1 special during the height of cat season, and knows Houston can respond as well or better during the holiday season. Customers who are intested in fostering healthy and adoptable dogs or cats temporarily will also be able to do so through New Years.

Interested individuals may view adoptable animals by following the PetFinder link on BARC's new website at www.houstonbarc.com or on BARC's Facebook page. Houstonians who desire to support the shelter financially may make tax-deductible gifts in the form of cash, check, or money order. Per recently passed City ordinance, all donations made to the shelter may only be used for BARC animals and BARC programs.

The simplest, but most powerful thing you can do to help the BARC Houston shelter, and pets throughout our community, is to talk to your friends, neighbors, and family about caring for pets responsibly. We encourage everyone to visit the new www.houstonbarc.com.

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