Mad Dash to Save the Pets

HOUSTON - Every week, a rescue mission is launched behind the scenes at BARC, Houston’s animal pound.

It’s aimed at saving some of the dogs and cats that have overstayed their welcome.

Even adoptable animals are at risk of being euthanized after 30 days at the shelter.

An emailed list of at-risk dogs and cats – complete with photographs, background and some medical information – is sent out on a regular basis.

Volunteers quickly swing into action, working to pull as many as they can out of BARC by the deadline. These rescued animals are then offered to the public every weekend at off-site adoption events at local pet stores.

“This is all-volunteer type of endeavor,” says rescuer Jae Malik. “People are just getting involved because they're concerned. They want to mitigate the loss of life as much as they possibly can.”

Earlier this month, rescuer Tim Hebert even spent his own money for a used Animal Control van in an internet auction.

“I got online and bid on the auction,” recalls Hebert. “At the end I said, ‘Woo-hoo, I won.’ And then a few minutes later I thought, ‘Woo-hoo, I won. It's in Lincoln, Nebraska.’”

Nevertheless, Hebert hopped a northbound flight and drove back in the van.

And he hasn’t stopped driving since.

He regularly takes as many as a dozen of Houston’s unwanted dogs to Colorado, where he says the animals are often spoken for, before they even arrive.

Hebert says he’s often asked one question: “’How can you possibly do it, keep going to a shelter, when you know some of them aren't going to survive?’” Hebert says. “My question is, ‘How can you not?’”

OFF-SITE BARC ANIMAL ADOPTIONS THIS WEEKEND

Saturday, January 28, 11am-6pm
Petco
6883 Highway 6 North, Houston, TX
281-345-1215

Petsmart
13830 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX
713-690-0575

Saturday, January 28 and Sunday January 29, 1pm-5pm
Petco
10911 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX
713-972-1244

Adoption fees will be $20 for animals that were at BARC for over 30 days. All are fully vetted, spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, license, vaccines. Includes free 6 week obedience training. Senior adoption program: citizens over 55 can adopt an animal over 2 years of age with no adoption fee.