To help increase the number of adoptions, the shelter will be open on Mondays during the event. (encierro/Shutterstock)
Who among us can resist when an adorable puppy or kitten turns its big eyes towards us, begging to be taken home?
That’s what BARC Animal Shelter hopes will happen at the Empty the Shelters event. From Oct. 1-15, BARC Animal Shelter, along with 300+ shelters across 38 states, will be offering reduced adoptions fees through a partnership with BISSELL Pet Foundation.
At BARC Animal Shelter, adoption fees for dogs will be lowered to $20, while cat adoptions fees will be $10. Adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery, dewormer, age-appropriate vaccinations, rabies vaccination, flea prevention, a pet microchip, and a one-year pet registration with the City of Houston, per a press release from the city.
“Events like Empty the Shelters are a lifeline for pets in Houston,” said Jarrad Mears, the shelter’s director. “By reducing adoption fees and expanding our hours, we hope to remove barriers for families considering adoption. Every pet that finds a home not only changes that animal’s life, but also makes space for the next one in need.”
To help increase the number of adoptions, the shelter will be open on Mondays during the event (it’s usually closed then).
In fiscal year 2025, the city took in 22,543 animals, compared to 20,025 animals in the previous fiscal year. According to data from nonprofit Shelter Animals Count, an estimated 5.8 million animals filled up shelters in 2024. This number has been attributed to the rising cost of pet care combined with the general cost of living.
However, in better news, this was a 1% decrease from 2023, and about 4.1 million of those animals were adopted.
BARC Animal Shelter is located at 3300 Carr St., Houston.
