Houston City Council approved new bylaws May 6 for the nonprofit foundation tied to BARC Animal Services in the first step toward trying to help increase operational funding for the shelter.
The setup
The Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department hired a consultant in early 2026 to help the city revitalize the BARC Foundation, a nonprofit formed in 2010 whose duties include fundraising to support the operation of the BARC Animal Services, raising awareness about homeless and at-risk animals and proposing responsible pet ownership.
According to the agenda item, the consultant determined that the revitalization effort should have a few steps, including:
- Creating and approving new bylaws for the board
- Hiring an executive director to manage the day-to-day duties of the foundation
- Appointing new board members
The BARC Foundation board convened in March to review and approve the proposed changes to its bylaws, as well as hire the first-ever executive director. The recommended changes needed to be approved by City Council before being enacted, per the agenda item.
Zooming in
The now-approved bylaw changes included reducing the number of board members, changing the term limit expiration timeline, adding new rules for board members and changing certain titles.
Council member Sallie Alcorn said that the approval is a "great step in the right direction."
"We have a lot of people in this city that like to give money to animal welfare causes and we need it to be top tap into this," she said. "I think hiring the part-time executive director over the foundation will give it some direction."
Something to note
BARC has been struggling with increased rates of euthanasia over the past several years, as intake numbers have spiked and the city's population has grown, Deputy Shelter Director Cory Stottlemyer said in an earlier interview with Community Impact.
The shelter's overall intake has increased by 28% since 2022, according to data from the shelter, and more than 2,000 animals were euthanized in 2025. However, despite the increased rate of intake, euthanasia and constant overcrowding at the shelter, funding has remained stagnant.
Taking a step back
Since early 2025, shelter officials have been looking for ways to raise funding. BARC Director Jarrad Mears shared a presentation to City Council in March of that year to discuss conducting a feasibility study to explore different funding model options, per previous reporting.
It is unclear as of May 7 if the feasibility study was ever completed.
"BARC has never gotten the attention it deserves," Mayor John Whitmire said. "I think we are going to be really pleased with it taking off now and doing even greater things, and this new model will work to its advantage."
