What you need to know
According to a news release April 24, the animal shelter will expand stray animal intake every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. starting April 29.
During the two-hour time period, Houston residents who want to turn in a stray animal will not need to schedule an intake appointment online and can turn in a stray animal on a first-come, first-served basis, until shelter capacity is reached.
- Cats or dogs may be turned into BARC only by residents of the city of Houston.
- Proof of residency is required for all turn-ins.
- Appointments can be scheduled up to four weeks in advance.
- No appointments are needed for sick, injured or dying animals.
Zooming in
In 2023, BARC animal enforcement officers received 59,573 calls for service, an increase of more than 5,000 from 2022.
"This rise in call volume is indicative of the rising needs of our community, and I'm again proud of our staff for being proactive and expanding intake to further address the stray animal crisis in Houston," BARC Shelter Director Jarrad Mears said. "In addition to expanding daily intake appointments last year, we are launching this new opportunity to allow even more access for those residents who find strays in their community."
According to BARC, the total intake in 2023 was 19,209, the highest of any municipal shelter in the Houston area. Nearly 60% of all calls for service were answered last year.
"This will mean that more animals are entering the shelter," Mears said. "We are actively working with our rescue, foster and volunteer partners to more quickly [to] find forever families for our pets and open up much needed kennel space for the growing number of animals coming to the shelter."
Also of note
According to the news release, in anticipation of the increase in animal intake that is expected to result from the no-appointment change, BARC is making adjustments to its Urgent Pets process to more proactively network and find live outcomes for shelter animals in need.
Two new reports will now appear on the BARC website in place of existing reports.
- BARC Priority Pets: This report will show pets who have been identified as having medical or behavioral conditions, or physical or mental deterioration due to length of stay in the kennel environment.
- BARC At-Risk Animals: This report will show pets who are at potential risk for euthanasia that are in urgent need of adoption, foster or rescue assistance.
Other projects
Voters approved a ballot proposition during the November 2022 election that provides $47 million for the BARC animal shelter and adoptions, including a BARC warehouse replacement and facility.
As of April 25, Cory Stottlemyer, BARC's deputy shelter director, said the project is currently out to bid, and officials are interviewing applicants for the work.
