The season of love is upon us, but this fall, it’s not just about pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters—it’s about falling in love with a furry friend. BARC Animal Shelter, in collaboration with the BISSELL Pet Foundation, is making pet adoption more accessible than ever through their "Fall National Empty the Shelters" event. From October 1 to 15, BARC will be opening its doors to all potential adopters with waived or reduced adoption fees, offering Houstonians the perfect opportunity to welcome a new member to the family.

This nationwide event, sponsored by the BISSELL Pet Foundation, aims to address the urgent crisis of overcrowded shelters. With more than 390 participating shelters across 44 states, BARC will join the effort to help thousands of deserving pets find their forever homes. During this special event, all adult dogs and cats, as well as kittens, will have adoption fees completely waived. For those with puppy fever, adoption fees will be reduced to just $25. That’s right—rescuing a best friend has never been easier, or more affordable.

Why It’s More Than Just Adoption—It’s a Lifesaving Movement

Adopting a pet through the Empty the Shelters event isn’t just about adding a companion to your household. With shelters across the nation, including BARC, facing record high intake levels, adoption offers a literal lifeline for many pets. According to Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, “Our nation’s animal shelters are in crisis with too many pets coming in and not enough adoptions to keep up. Euthanasia rates have hit a three-year high, and healthy, adoptable pets are at risk due to space constraints.” 

Bissell underscores the significance of this event: “Empty the Shelters offers a chance for the community to save lives through adoption, while also creating space for shelters to help more pets. If you can't adopt, fostering can also make a lifesaving difference."

For BARC, this couldn’t be timelier. “Thanks to the Empty the Shelters campaign, thousands of BARC animals have found their forever homes,” says Jarrad Mears, BARC Shelter Director. “This fall is crucial as our shelter continues to face high intake levels for both dogs and cats. Strategic partnerships like these ensure that we find positive outcomes for our shelter pets.”

How to Participate

If you’re ready to open your heart and home, now’s the time to visit BARC. For two weeks, they will be operating seven days a week—yes, even on Mondays—to ensure as many pets as possible find homes. To adopt, you’ll need to be over 18 years old, provide a valid ID, and show proof of address. Adoption is on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to arrive early to meet your new best friend!

Not sure which pet is right for you? You can view available pets at BARC's website or email their adoptions team at BARCadoptions@houstontx.gov for more information.

The Bigger Picture: A Nationwide Impact

Since its inception in 2016, the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event has helped nearly 283,000 pets find loving homes. This lifesaving event is the largest of its kind, involving 742 animal welfare organizations across 49 states and Canada. By waiving or reducing adoption fees, the foundation hopes to remove financial barriers to adoption and encourage more families to choose rescue animals.

Whether you’re adopting your first pet or adding to your furry family, BARC and the BISSELL Pet Foundation invite you to be a part of something larger this fall. Together, we can ensure that Houston’s homeless pets get the second chance they deserve.

For More Information

To learn more about the Empty the Shelters event, adoption processes, or how to donate to the cause, visit BISSELL Pet Foundation's website or BARC Houston