About BARC

BARC is the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Facility. In addition to sheltering and providing veterinary care to all animals brought to the shelter, we work diligently to place these animals in new homes. We collaborate and coordinate with our network of approved rescue groups and other registered partners to find live outcomes for our shelter animals. BARC also utilizes pet fostering programs, an offsite adoption trailer, a citywide TNR program, and group and individual volunteer opportunities to assist our shelter pets. BARC also has several programs available to assist existing pet owners, including a low-cost wellness center, citywide pet registration, and our free Healthy Pets Healthy Streets spay/neuter program.

Our mission is to promote and protect public health and safety as well as animal care through sheltering, pet placement programs, and animal law enforcement. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership through spaying/neutering, microchipping, pet registration, and vaccinations. Campaigns and programs to educate and raise community awareness about these services are ongoing.