This is a never ending cycle - its only been a few weeks since 30-40 from BARC were saved from being put to sleep when the wonderful people of Houston stepped up to adopt, foster, or sponsor them!! Of course we all knew then that the same thing would happen down the road - and here we are at the end of the road again!! How sad for all of the animals!! I am a volunteer and foster mom with another rescue org out Humble - and already have 3 dogs of my own and 3 fosters too - so I am full!! But I will be praying for all the furbabies at BARC now!! If you can do anything to help, please please please do what you can!!! All of these "last-chance" dogs need our help too!!!!

I myself am an animal lover. I have four dogs of my own, two of which are rescues from Harris County. I can not foster any unfortunately, but would love to help any way I can. What does is cost to sponsor off-site kenneling? I will be looking forward to your response.

Dang! I knew this day was coming but I didn't think it would come so soon. :-(

Yep - its here already!!

I am interested in adopting a dog from your shelter. Please contact me via e-mail with information that is required. I have a four year old in desperate need of a buddy or pal.

Thank you

Sheryll Medina

Hey everybody. My brother and I are students at Rice and decided that we should adopt a dog on Sunday. We have a 2 year old German Shepherd and found what could be considered his new best friend, a 2 month German Shepherd/St. Bernard Mix. Our G.S. accepted him from the start, with the little one (8.5 lbs) chasing his older and bigger (105 lbs) counterpart endlessly. They are best friends already. That is the good news.

The sad news is that we left other dogs behind, facing an uncertain fate. We are fostering to own, as he is too young to officially be adopted (he has not been neutered). Please, if you have any room in your home or only in your heart, help in one of the ways mentioned. You never know, you might just find your new best friend. I have a test right now, so back to studying. Have a great day everyone.

OK I have a question. What group takes charge of fostering and accepting donations to save these last chance pooches? I posted yesterday asking for info on donations, but I have recieved no response. I have also checked the BARC website and so far I'm unable to locate any info on helping these dogs out. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Brandy and Sheryll, I have an email address for someone at BARC (she sends me emailed pictures of BARC animals), and I have sent her an email asking that she review the blogs entered here. Told her that there were 2 people who had mentioned possible sponsorship or even possible adoption. I dont know if she can obtain email info from this site or not - since it is actually KHOU not BARC that is posting the story - but lets see what she says. And THANKS for wanting to help!

Thank you so much Donna. I see where you are involved w/and organization in Humble. I actually live in Kingwood and am always looking for volunteer opportunities on the weekends. I'm not sure if anyone can get my email address from this blog or not either so I'm going out on a limb and putting my email address here. Hopefully no one will take advantage of it for undesirable means. Sometimes you just have to take a chance- brandy1214@cebridge.net

I have just recently lost my companion of over 14 years. My home is now so empty that I'm looking for a forever friend to fill the void. Could you please send me more information on how to adopt and the dogs available. I'm looking for one that is good with other dogs, cats and children. Prefer one that is already housebroken. We live in the country so they will have plenty of room to run and play. Looking for a medium to large dog.
Thanks!!!!

This is why spaying and neutering are so important. Until people are required to spay/neuter their pets (this does not include registered show/woking dogs owned by responsible, professional breeders who breed for all the right reasons) this overpopulation problem will never be solved no matter how many animals are adopted. The cycle continues with every litter.

If you can't adopt, strongly consider fostering. There is no greater feeling than saving a dog or cat and then seeing it off to a new home. I foster regularly so I get to relive the happy ending experience over and over again. Open your home to a foster dog or cat, it's only temporary.

DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER ANIMALS DIE!!

This URGENT news item should be featured on the front page so the people of Houston can SEE IT!!!

Contact BARC by e-mail: webadmin@cityofhouston.net
Contact BARC by telephone at
713-238-9600.
Contact BARC by mail at:
Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care
2700 Evella
Houston TX 77026

If you want to adopt a dog/cat from BARC in Houston just google it and call, please! Time is of essence.

I would like information on what I can do to sponsor a dog off site until he or she can be adopted out.

Please email: Info@MelissaRaquel.com

I rescue stray dogs and I am fortunate to find homes for them. I have three of my own and each a major medical problems, but I would like to help Barc by sponsoring a dog or cat.

I see so many people here willing to help in a variety of ways! Another big way to help is to volunteer! Friends of BARC - www.friendsofbarc.org - and Saving Animals - www.savinganimals.org - are both looking for volunteers at various PetSmart stores and the Pet Adoption Center in NW Mall! One shift a month - 5 hours! - goes a long way towards getting animals adopted and out of BARC! Volunteers are also needed at BARC itself! Lots of fun and opportunities are passing you by! Please visit the websites or email me! Thank you for your interest!
mikek@iapc.net

In addition to supporting BARC, please write to Mayor White and request the city BAN the selling of animals on the streets. Once that is accomplished, it needs to be extended througout the county.

To the poster Susan above who just lost her dog I'm so sorry for you, maybe we were meant to meet. I found a medium/large sized dog in december in front of my local Stop & Go. SPCA was going to destroy her and I couldn't accept that. We've been caring for her, she has shots and heartworm preventative but we haven't gotten her spayed yet. She is about a year old and so full of life and energy that it makes me unhappy because I am unable to really give her all of the attention that she really deserves.

Contact me Eric Ochoa 281-685-5267 please!

Why can't the BARC manage it's own collection of Annual fees collected for dog licenses.

I paid the fee for my dog's tags, and had to send my money to IRVING, TX. Surely the city of Houston has the know-how, and people to run this department in the city itself.

If we don't stop this trend of out-sourcing everything, soon our Mayor's office could be located, operated, managed OUTSIDE Houston.

Does anyone else see the futility of paying fees/taxes for city services -- and this money is sent out of the city, and citizens of OTHER cities are paid to manage our city services?