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Siblings Valentio and Molasses play tug-of-war with a rawhide chew. They are just two of the many pets up for adoption at BARC. Photo by Julie Keeton.

By Dave Schafer

The two volunteers had looks of dismay when they approached Kent Robertson.

What’s wrong? Robertson wondered.

“Nothing’s changed,” they said. “We thought you were going to improve BARC, but we haven’t noticed anything different.”

Only four weeks before, Robertson rode through flooded streets on a dump truck to begin his first day as chief of the city’s Bureau of Animal Control and Regulation at 2700 Evella St.

It will take time to turn BARC around and rehabilitate its reputation, he cautions.

“We’re talking about a huge culture change,” said Robertson, 56, who came to Houston after directing Dallas’ animal services.

BARC employees enforce city ordinances that include rabies vaccinations, pet licensing, and dogs being confined in a yard or on a leash. They investigate animal bites and encourage spaying/neutering.

BARC takes in about 24,000 animals a year. Many of those are put up for adoption.

“Some people say society should be more concerned with helping people,” Robertson said. “Those are worthy causes. So is this. Animals are part of the family.”

Robertson has grand ambitions for the bureau. After three months, some of his changes have taken root.

His first priority was to change BARC’s culture.

That change, according to office supervisor Lydia Gonzales, was from a culture focused on animal control to one focused on animal care; from one concerned with rules and procedures to one concerned with getting the animals adopted.

In her 16 years with BARC, Gonzales has worked for six chiefs, but she’d never seen the culture Robertson has instilled.

In July 2005, BARC euthanized 2,300 animals and adopted out 100 pets. In July 2006 – Robertson’s second month – it euthanized 880 animals and adopted out 200.

Robertson attributes the decrease to fewer animals coming in, staff turnover, and an increased effort to find the animals homes.

Kent Robertson is changing the culture at BARC, including demanding that employees get more hands-on with the animals. Photo by Dave Schafer.

“It’s like an awakening,” Gonzales said. “The employees are excited because they want to help the pets. And Mr. Robertson has opened the doors to doing that.”

Before, BARC and its officers were seen in the community as unfeeling dogcatchers who sentenced animals to death. Robertson believes changing the agency’s reputation will lead to more people buying their family pet from the bureau.

Now, bureau employees are more focused on customer service and socializing the animals, Robertson said. They are also forming stronger partnerships in the community.

Animals with minor problems that would prevent them from being adoptable will be treated rather than euthanized. For example, a dog with heartworm, which can be easily, if not cheaply, be treated if funding is available.

Volunteers take the pets get out of their chain-link and cement homes, which makes them more sociable and more appealing to families.
“Our goal is to get every healthy pet adopted,” Robertson said.

“We’ve got a great group of people here at BARC to build around. A group that cares not just about animals, but also about the city and their community. I’m confident we’ll be able to change things here.”

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