BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters Returns to Harris County with Reduced Adoption Fees at Harris County Pets and BARC
For thousands of homeless dogs and cats across the Houston area, the next few weeks could mean a second chance.
Harris County Pets and BARC, the City of Houston's Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, are once again participating in the BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters adoption event, a nationwide campaign that reduces adoption fees while helping animal shelters create much-needed space during one of their busiest seasons.
Summer is traditionally one of the most challenging times of year for shelters. Kitten and puppy season brings an influx of young animals, owner surrenders often increase, and adoptions can slow, leaving shelters caring for more pets than usual. Every adoption not only gives a homeless animal a permanent family but also opens a kennel for another pet waiting for care.
A Nationwide Effort That Saves Two Lives
Founded in 2011 by animal advocate Cathy Bissell, the BISSELL Pet Foundation created Empty the Shelters to help reduce overcrowding in animal shelters while making pet adoption more affordable for families. Since the program launched in 2016, it has helped more than 400,000 pets find homes across the United States and Canada by partnering with thousands of shelters and rescue organizations.
As the nation's largest funded adoption event, Empty the Shelters reimburses participating shelters for qualifying adoptions, allowing organizations to significantly reduce adoption fees. The initiative is built around a simple but powerful idea: every adoption saves two lives—the pet going home with a new family and the animal that can now take its place in the shelter. By increasing community participation and creating more available shelter space, the quarterly event helps more homeless pets receive the care and opportunities they need while connecting families with pets that are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
"Every summer, shelters face the greatest pressure of pet overpopulation," said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "We are deeply committed to addressing the root causes of overcrowding through spay and neuter—but until prevention can meet the scale of the crisis, our adoption events are a lifeline for shelters and the pets in their care. We hope you'll open your heart and your home to a shelter pet this summer."
In addition to adoption initiatives, the BISSELL Pet Foundation supports animal welfare organizations through spay and neuter programs, vaccinations, microchipping, disaster response, and emergency assistance aimed at reducing the number of pets entering shelters.
Harris County Pets and BARC Join the Lifesaving Campaign
Across the Houston area, both Harris County Pets and BARC are inviting residents to consider adopting during this year's event.
Harris County Pets will participate July 6-26, encouraging families to visit the shelter and meet dogs and cats searching for permanent homes.
"We're excited to announce that Harris County Pets is once again participating in the BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters adoption event," the shelter shared in announcing the initiative. "During this time, adoption fees will be reduced, so it's the perfect time to find your new best friend."
Serving the unincorporated areas of Harris County, Harris County Pets works to protect both public health and animal welfare through animal sheltering, pet adoptions, owner reunifications, and responsible pet ownership programs. The shelter regularly partners with regional and national organizations to increase lifesaving outcomes for homeless animals.
BARC will participate July 5-26 and is expanding adoption opportunities by opening on Mondays during the event, a day the shelter is typically closed. Adoption hours will be noon to 5 p.m. daily throughout the promotion.
Reduced adoption fees at BARC include:
- $55 for puppies four months of age and younger
- $30 for dogs five months and older
- $10 for all cats and kittens
Each adoption includes spay or neuter surgery, deworming, age-appropriate vaccinations, rabies vaccination, flea prevention, a pet microchip, and one year of City of Houston pet registration.
Every Adoption Helps Another Animal
BARC, Houston's municipal animal shelter, takes in more than 20,000 animals each year regardless of breed, behavior, or medical condition. Beyond finding homes for adoptable pets, the shelter provides low-cost and no-cost spay and neuter services, mobile adoptions, rescue partnerships, pet registration and microchipping programs, while also responding to animal-related calls for service and investigating cruelty cases throughout the city.
"Summer is one of the busiest times of year for our shelter, making community support more important than ever," said Jarrad Mears, BARC Shelter Director. "We're grateful to partner with BISSELL Pet Foundation to make adoption more accessible through reduced fees and expanded adoption hours. Every pet adopted during Empty the Shelters creates space for another animal in need and helps us continue serving both Houston's pets and the people who care about them."
For families who have been thinking about adding a pet to their household, organizers say the event offers an opportunity to welcome a new companion while making a meaningful difference for local shelters. Every available pet has already received essential veterinary care, allowing adopters to bring home a healthy pet that's ready to become part of the family.
Whether adopting from Harris County Pets, BARC, or another participating shelter, every adoption helps relieve overcrowding, supports lifesaving efforts, and gives another homeless animal the opportunity to find a permanent home.
Residents interested in adopting from BARC can visit the shelter at 3300 Carr St, Houston, TX 77026 during event hours or learn more at houstonbarc.com. Information about adoptable pets and adoption opportunities at Harris County Pets, located at 612 Canino Rd. Houston, TX 77076, is available through the shelter's website and social media channels throughout the event.
As shelters across the Houston region work to find homes for more animals this summer, organizers hope the community will once again help turn crowded kennels into empty ones—one adoption at a time.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more community news, local events, and resources impacting Greater Houston neighborhoods.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
