October 30, 2006

The Bureau of Animal Care and Regulation (BARC) will observe National Animal Shelter Appreciation Day with an open house and activities focusing on pets and children from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5.

BARC, located at 3200 Carr Street, will offer participants free dog obedience demonstrations, hot dogs and balloons.

Children will receive badges designating them as “Animal Control Officers” for a day. They will also get to explore an animal rescue vehicle and operate its lights.

Participants can choose to adopt a cat or a dog while at the event. Animal adoptions are $55 and include spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip implant.

Animal shelters offer many services to assist animals and people alike: controlling dogs running at large, rescuing injured animals, returning lost pets to their owners and adopting animals into new, loving homes.

Every year BARC, administered by the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, shelters unwanted, lost or stray animals, including about 5,600 cats and 13,500 dogs.   

BARC offers dog and cat adoptions, vaccinates against rabies, rescues and shelters lost and stray animals, licenses dogs and cats, investigates reported animal bites and enforces Houston’s animal ordinances.

There are many ways to help BARC observe National Animal Shelter Appreciation Day:

• Spread the word about the importance of responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering, vaccinating against rabies, providing veterinary care, identification, food, water, exercise, grooming and love and affection.
• Choose your next pet from among the many animals sheltered at BARC. It has plenty of animals just waiting for a home.
• Offer a donation of needed supplies such as towels, animal treats, stainless steel bowls and leashes.
• Offer a monetary donation to BARC to help pay for medical costs for its foster program.
• Volunteer to walk and bathe dogs, spend time with cats and help with adoptions.
• Report animal cruelty and neglect

For more information about BARC, call 713-238-9600.