Houston’s stray animal crisis continues to escalate as BARC, the city’s animal shelter and adoption facility, projects taking in more than 22,000 stray animals this year.
The city now ranks second nationwide for dog attacks on postal workers, highlighting growing concerns about public safety and animal control challenges in the nation’s fourth-largest city.
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So, what do you do if you encounter a stray cat or dog?
Community Response and Resources
When encountering stray animals, residents are encouraged to:
- Check for microchips if safe to do so
- Utilize social media platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor to locate potential owners
- Consider temporary fostering while seeking the owner
Public Safety and Pet Ownership Requirements
A city ordinance mandates that Houston pet owners must:
- Register their dogs and cats
- Ensure pets are microchipped
- Maintain current rabies vaccinations
“The first thing we would recommend is trying to see if maybe this is somebody’s pet,” Stottlemyer said. He says many veterinary clinics and BARC offer free microchip scanning services.
Looking Forward
Houston Mayor John Whitmire proposed spending $1.8 billion on safety for the city next year, which includes funding for the animal shelter. The increased allocation could help address the growing stray animal population and public safety concerns.
For immediate assistance with stray or aggressive animals, residents can contact BARC’s intake facility, which accepts animals on Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
