Earlier this year, there was a rush on animal shelters as Houston residents in search of quarantine buddies adopted cats and dogs en masse. As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued, however, many pet owners have lost their income or ability to care for pets, leading to an influx of animals in shelters. If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry friend to your life, there’s no better time than the present. Here are a few awesome local rescues to consider adopting from!
Houston SPCA (7007 Old Katy Road)
No matter what type of pet you’re looking for, there’s a good chance the Houston SPCA can help you out. With horses, cats, dogs, chickens, and other furry critters up for adoption, it’s an animal-lover’s dream. These cuties need homes, and unfortunately, there are many of them. See what the shelter’s cats and dogs are up to by watching their live web cam feed.
BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions (3200 Carr Street)
BARC has implemented some amazing safety protocols to keep you and your family safe during the pandemic, including by utilizing curbside adoptions. Don’t worry, you aren’t committing to adopting a pet before meeting them – you are simply only meeting the animals you are interested in while limiting foot traffic in the building. BARC also offers more than just adoption, so be sure to visit their website for more information.
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Houston Pets Alive! (2800 Antoine Drive, Suite 2854)
Whether you’re looking to adopt or become a foster pet-parent, HPA! has got you covered. Their mission is to save local cats and dogs from euthanasia, which is often an issue in Texas due to the overcrowding in animal shelters. HPA! works with organizations like BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions to rescue animals high on the euthanasia-at-risk list, and then funnels them out to its vast network of foster volunteers who will take care of these lovable balls of fluff until they find their furrever homes. Who knows – maybe it will be yours!
Friends For Life (107 East 22nd Street)
Walk-ins may be closed, but animal adoptions are in full swing at Friends For Life! This shelter has a huge selection of cats and dogs, and they’re hoping you can help empty their cages. Founded in 2002, this rescue introduced Houston to the no-kill shelter, making an incredible difference to animals of all ages, breeds, and conditions. Guided by the premise that “every animal matters,” Friends For Life is committed to not only assisting all animals, but to preventing the overwhelming surge of animals to shelters in the first place.
Sure, when you adopt a pet, they might become the star of your dinner parties, but those are the best kinds of dinner parties, aren’t they? Animals are family, and every adoption makes a difference.