BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending pet homelessness, is once again prompting a nationwide call for adoption through its Empty the Shelters event, running May 1-15, 2025. BARC Animal Shelter will participate alongside 380+ shelters across 43 states to help pets find loving homes through reduced adoption fees of $70 or less, generously sponsored by BISSELL Pet Foundation.
BARC Animal Shelter is participating in the Empty the Shelters adoption event from May 1–15 at our Adoption Center, located at 3300 Carr St., Houston, TX 77026. During this special event, adoption fees will be just $20 for all dogs and puppies, $10 for all cats and kittens, and only $5 for specially selected PURRFURRED pets. To make it easier for adopters to visit, we’ll be open every day from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., including Monday, May 5 and Monday, May 12, when we’re usually closed. Visit www.HoustonBARC.com to browse adoptable pets and learn more.
“Every time we host Empty the Shelters, it affirms the importance of this lifesaving program,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “During the two-week event in May, tens of thousands of pets of all kinds, many who’ve waited far too long, will find the loving homes they deserve. Empty the Shelters has created real momentum around adoption, helping our nation’s overcrowded shelters save more lives. We are proud to keep expanding this life-changing effort and grateful to everyone who makes it possible by adopting or donating.”
In 2024 alone, 1,548 BARC pets found forever homes through these life-changing events, all generously sponsored by BISSELL Pet Foundation. Every adoption at BARC includes spay/neuter surgery, an initial veterinary exam, age-appropriate vaccinations, a heartworm test for dogs, a registered microchip, and a one-year City of Houston pet license for residents within city limits.
“At BARC, public safety remains our top priority, but helping pets find loving homes is also central to our mission,” said Jarrad Mears, Shelter Director at BARC. “With intake numbers rising, Empty the Shelters couldn’t come at a better time. This event helps us ease space challenges and give more animals the second chance they deserve. We’re incredibly grateful to BISSELL Pet Foundation for making it possible and we hope all Houstonians will come out and help us empty the shelters.
Since its inception in 2016, Empty the Shelters has helped more than 323,000 pets find loving homes and is now the largest funded adoption event in the country. The program partners with more than 815 animal welfare organizations across 49 states and Canada.
BISSELL Pet Foundation and BARC Animal Shelter urge families to research 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 and www.HoustonBARC.com.
About BISSELL Pet Foundation:
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, vaccinations, microchipping and emergency support. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 6,000 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Inc. where every purchase saves pets. To learn more, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.
About BARC
BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, takes in more than 20,000 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 pet registration and microchipping. BARC is also committed to public safety through animal enforcement, which answers calls for service from the community and investigates cases of animal cruelty.
Visit www.houstonbarc.com for more information.