BARC Animal Shelter Partners with BISSELL Pet Foundation to Offer Discounted Pet Adoptions During Empty the Shelters Event
In an effort to combat pet homelessness and ease the strain on overcrowded shelters, BARC Animal Shelter and Adoption Center has joined forces with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for the Spring 2025 Empty the Shelters event. From May 1 to May 15, BARC will offer reduced adoption fees to help more Houston-area animals find loving, permanent homes.
BARC, the City of Houston’s open-admission animal shelter located at 3300 Carr St., Houston, TX 77026, will offer adoptions at just $20 for dogs and puppies, $10 for cats and kittens, and an even lower $5 fee for specially selected PURRFURRED pets. To accommodate the anticipated interest, BARC will be open daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., including Mondays—May 5 and May 12—when it is usually closed.
“At BARC, public safety remains our top priority, but helping pets find loving homes is also central to our mission,” said Jarrad Mears, BARC Shelter Director. “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.”
What’s Included with Each Adoption
Every pet adopted from BARC comes with comprehensive care services, including:
- Spay/neuter surgery
- Initial veterinary exam
- Age-appropriate vaccinations
- Heartworm test for dogs
- Registered microchip
- One-year City of Houston pet license for residents
These services ensure that new pet owners are set up for success and that their pets are healthy, vaccinated, and ready for a smooth transition into their new homes.
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Why Empty the Shelters Matters
Since its launch in 2016, Empty the Shelters has helped more than 323,000 pets across the U.S. and Canada find homes, making it the largest funded adoption event in the country. The Spring 2025 campaign includes participation from more than 380 shelters in 43 states, including BARC Animal Shelter, which alone saw 1,548 adoptions during the 2024 campaign.
“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.”
Founded in 2011, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to end pet homelessness through adoption events, spay/neuter programs, vaccinations, microchipping, and emergency shelter support. It has partnered with more than 6,000 shelters and rescues nationwide and continues to grow through the support of donors and BISSELL Inc.
Adoption Tips and How to Participate
BARC and BISSELL Pet Foundation urge potential adopters to do their homework before visiting. Researching breed types, energy levels, and lifestyle compatibility helps ensure a successful, long-term match. Adoption requirements can be found on HoustonBARC.com, where visitors can also browse current adoptable pets.
“Empty the Shelters has created real momentum around adoption, helping our nation's overcrowded shelters save more lives,” Bissell added. “We are proud to keep expanding this life-changing effort and grateful to everyone who makes it possible by adopting or donating.”
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Why It Matters in Houston
With BARC taking in more than 20,000 animals annually, space and resources are limited. These adoption events play a vital role in reducing euthanasia, promoting pet ownership, and helping shelters stay focused on both animal welfare and community safety.
If you’ve been considering adopting a pet in Houston, now is the perfect time to give a cat or dog a second chance at life—while enjoying significantly reduced adoption fees and full post-adoption support.
For more information on the Spring 2025 Empty the Shelters event, visit HoustonBARC.com and learn more at bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
