In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Houston’s BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions will reduce cat adoption prices to $5, today through Tuesday, May 15. This “Cinco de Meow” event allows Houstonians to adopt a new feline friend for a fraction of what it normally costs to adopt from BARC, with all the benefits of a full-price adoption.

Cats available for adoption range in age from only a few weeks old to seniors. The adoption fee covers services that include, spay or neuter, rabies vaccination, City licensing, microchip and much more. BARC’s adoption package could cost up to $850 if purchased through certain breeders or veterinarians; the BARC adoption fee remains the best value and lowest price in Houston.

BARC currently faces extreme animal intake and expects to see a similar trend throughout the spring season. In fact, the shelter took in more than 250 animals in the first two days of May. BARC urges Houstonians to take immediate action to ensure each of these animals finds a good home by adopting a cat or dog this weekend.

If adopting is not an option, BARC also needs volunteers to foster puppies and kittens who are too young for spay or neuter surgery, moms with litters that are still nursing, and cats and dogs that are ill and need recovery time outside the shelter. Many of these animals just need time in a home environment until they find a permanent home. 

BARC offers training classes for future foster parents. The next foster class is Monday, May 22, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Looscan Neighborhood Library in River Oaks, 2510 Willowick Rd.

In addition to foster homes, BARC needs volunteers to spend a few hours each month at the shelter to help animals in need. Volunteer options range from transporting animals to off-site adoption events, to spending time with cats and dogs before they find a permanent home. BARC offers volunteer orientation events every second and fourth Saturday of the month. 

Remember, BARC also offers a free "Seniors for Seniors" placement program for pets over two years old for seniors 55 and older, year-round. 

As always, the BARC shelter at 3200 Carr Street will host Friends of BARC's Wags to Whiskers adoption event on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. with free hot dogs and hamburgers. The Friends of BARC welcome all potential adopters, fosters and volunteers.

Adopting or volunteering is simple, yet the most powerful thing you can do to help the BARC Houston shelter and pets throughout our community. Talk is to your friends, neighbors and family about caring for pets responsibly. 

To find out more about becoming a foster parent or volunteering, visit www.HoustonBARC.com.