As our nation’s shelters face unprecedented overcrowding, BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center and the BISSELL Pet Foundation are doing their part to taking homeless pets from kennels to couches by sponsoring waiving fees from July 12 – 31. The longest-ever Summer National “Empty the Shelters” event will be hosted in more than 250 shelters in 42 states, including BARC.
“Shelters are calling me daily and BISSELL Pet Foundation is feeling the burden of overcrowding. With the euthanasia of homeless dogs up 22% in just the first quarter of 2022 alone, we knew we had to act quickly to help at-risk pets,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Empty the Shelters is the largest funded adoption event in the country, and by extending the event to three weeks, we can help meet the immediate need to save lives.”
From July 12 – 31, BARC will completely waive adoption fees for all pets, including puppies and kittens, as part of this summer’s campaign. To meet our adoptable pets, stop by BARC’s Adoption Center at 3300 Carr St. from 12 – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday or visit http://www.houstontx.gov/barc/adopt_a_pet.html to see our adoptable pets.
“We are excited to work with Bissell Pet Foundation once again to get as many pets as possible adopted into their forever homes,” said Greg Damianoff, Director of BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions. “We are grateful for this partnership that allows us to completely waive adoption prices for interested Houston adopters.”
BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event is the largest funded adoption event in the country. With a goal of encouraging more families to choose adoption, this lifesaving effort has helped more than 96,000 pets find loving homes since 2016. “Empty the Shelters” is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest program, partnering with a total of 443 animal welfare organizations in 47 states and Canada to reduce adoption fees.
Adoption is a lifetime commitment. BISSELL Pet Foundation and BARC urge families to do their research about the pet they are interested in adopting, as well as adoption requirements. For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters as well as www.houstonbarc.com.
About 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 Houstonians and their pets’ health and safety by pioneering programs such as low-cost and no-cost spay/neuter services, mobile adoptions, transfer/rescue partnerships, and community outreach.
Through these programs and with community partners’ support, BARC’s live release rate has continued to improve and reached a historic high of 95.6% in the fiscal year 2021.
Visit www.houstonbarc.com or www.Facebook.com/BARCHouston for more information.