HOUSTON – BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions released 87.5 percent of its dog and cat guests to human caretakers in September, the highest percentage for any September except for the one that followed Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Thanks to foster and rescue partners in the Houston public, BARC reached the high mark despite receiving over 2,400 animals during the month, including 349 more cats/kittens this year versus in 2018. A total of 2,141 cats and dogs were placed with caregivers throughout the month.
“We are beyond grateful to everyone who helped make this such a successful September,’’ said Jennifer Barrera Wandrey, BARC outreach manager. “BARC continues to see high intake numbers year-round and we hope the community continues to foster, volunteer, and adopt.”
BARC’s annual live release rate has improved from single-digit percentages in 2009 to 84.6% in 2018. The September rate was slightly higher in the first full month after Harvey because rescue groups took many cats and dogs to protect them from the storm and its aftermath.
The simplest, but most powerful thing Houstonians can do to help BARC and pets throughout the community is to foster, volunteer, donate and adopt. If you are unable to permanently adopt a pet but would like to help animals in need, BARC encourages you to consider becoming a volunteer or a foster pet parent at BARC. By getting these animals out of BARC and into foster homes, BARC has more space for additional animals as they enter the shelter.
Media contact:
Jennifer Barrera Wandrey, Outreach Manager
Direct: 832-395-9003 Cellphone: 713-401-8794
Email:[email protected]
About the BARC
BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, takes in more than 25,000 animals annually regardless of behavior, breed, or medical condition. BARC works each day to improve the health and safety of Houstonians and their pets by pioneering programs such as low cost and no cost spay/neuter services, mobile adoptions, transfer/rescue partnerships, and community outreach.
Visit www.houstonbarc.com or www.Facebook.com/BARCHouston for more information.