At-Large Position 5
Animals, Chapter 6
- BARC received 53,902 total calls for srevice and was able to complete 32,611.
- The total intake was 22,543 animals: 15,085 dogs and 6,914 cats. Of the 22,543, 9,332 of intake came from field captures.
- There were 915 pets returned to their owners, thanks to mandatory microchipping.
- Through BARC's clinic and partner clinics, 9,118 pets were spayed/neutered.
In October 2025, city council approved a $16 million design build contract for a new warehouse and replacement of the administration building and dome building at BARC's current location.
Compared to other Texas cities, Houston spends far less per capita on animal welfare services. This is why I have been a strong advocate for additional BARC resources through the budget amendment process.
- FY 2026: Add $134,000 to BARC Special Revenue Fund to fund two additional animal enforcement officers.
- Transfer funding from:
- General Fund
- $28,000 – management consulting services
- $38,000 – miscellaneous support and services
- $12,000 – paper and printing
- $8,000 – General Government contingency
- Central Service Revolving Fund
- $35,000 – management consulting services
- $13,000 – discontinue print edition of City Savvy publication.
- Note: Additional animal enforcement officers (AEOs) are needed to address critical gaps in field response capabilities. In FY 2025, BARC responded to just over 50% of all calls for service, with a low response rate of approximately 14% for Priority 4 and 5 calls. While Priority 1, 2, and 3 calls are largely addressed, the most critical Priority 1 and 2 calls have seen increases of 10% and 40% respectively over the past two years. While an additional 17 AEOs are needed, adding two AEOs would be a small step toward improving call response and addressing public safety concerns.
- FY 2025: Transfer $150,000 from General Fund Ending Fund Balance for management consulting services to analyze and explore the feasibility of transferring city animal welfare services, not including animal control, from BARC to a newly formed local government corporation. Key deliverables to include: feasibility study report; operational assessment; stakeholder engagement plan; implementation plan; regulatory and legal analysis; and performance evaluation plan. An update shall be presented to council committee within six months.
- This presentation was made at the March 2025 Budget & Fiscal Affairs Committee.
- FY 2024: Increase General Fund transfer to BARC Special Revenue Fund by $500,000 Funding source: General Fund Ending Fund Balance – Unassigned
- Note: BARC has indicated the need for a new adoption trailer and three new animal enforcement vehicles.
- FY 2023: Increase General Fund transfer to the BARC Special Revenue Fund by $233,000. Funding source: General Fund Ending Fund Balance – Unassigned. Note: This brings FY23 expenditures to FY22 per capita spending level of $5.90.
