BARC Needs You!

BARC, the City of Houston’s dog and cat adoption center, is beyond capacity.  The shelter currently has 671 dogs and cats at the facility designed for 550.  The high population is due to an increased number of owners surrendering animals to BARC over the last two weeks.

To increase adoptions, BARC has recently extended its presence in the Houston community by hosting five weekly adoption locationsaround the City, attending special events such as PetFest 2010, promoting its pets on Facebook, and launching a new website (www.houstonbarc.com).  BARC is upping the ante again this Saturday, hosting an event from 12pm to 6pm at the facility located at 3200 Carr, 77026 in a huge effort to attract potential adopters to the shelter to address the over-population.  The event will also provide benefits to previous BARC adopters and all Houston citizens.

The theme at BARC this weekend is: “Shelter animals bless so many lives, it is time for us to bless them in return.”

On October 30, BARC will partner with the Episcopal Diocese of Houston to offer non-denominational pet blessings for both shelter animals and members of the public.  Non-denominational pet blessings of animals will begin at 2:15 to our public pets at two BARC facility entrance locations, followed by a blessing of the shelter animals.  BARC adopters and service animals are particularly encouraged to attend.

“Many of our Episcopal churches do pet blessings each October to celebrate St. Francis’ Day and we are delighted to take that tradition to BARC. It is especially gratifying to have the opportunity to bring attention to the large number of animals that need permanent homes and to say thanks to the people who work with them daily. We hope lots of folks bring their pets this Saturday to join in that celebration,” said Carol Barnwell, Communication Director for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

The band Cow-Jazz will be playing from 1 to 4pm, during which BARC Houston visitors will be able to take part in face painting, moonbounce games, discounted pet microchipping, a pet costume contest sponsored by Friends of BARC.  BARC will also have booths for local vendors, who include: Fido Fit, Invisible Fence, SNAP, Woof Pet Bakery, Call to Doody, Pet Photography, and Animal Companions Pet Sitting.  Visitors may also have their pets tested for Canine Good Citizen Certification, which is administered by American Kennel Club certified instructors.  You may view the promotion flyer at http://www.houstontx.gov/barc/barchalloween2010.pdf.

“Houston is a great pet community, and City residents support us so much.  We want folks to know that BARC is the place to come if you’re looking for a new animal companion, and that we recognize everyone who supports our shelter and animals.  Our event this Saturday is a chance to thank all of our adopters, fosters, volunteers and their families.  We also hope we get to introduce ourselves to Houston residents that may not be familiar with us, or haven’t visited BARC lately,” said Carlene Lormand, BARC Marketing & Outreach Manager.

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.