Found a dog and don't know what to do?
Found A Dog?
Thank you for helping a dog in need. As you may know, Houston has an animal overpopulation crisis. Barrio Dogs receives daily inquiries about dogs or cats needing help and a home; however, our focus is on pet welfare education in schools and in the community, where we provide free spay or neuter, vaccinations, and microchips. When able, we provide emergency vetting for sick or injured dogs and cats.
Here are some recommendations and resources that may be able to help you:
- If the animal is injured, call the SPCA at 713-869-SPCA (7722) and report it. Houston SPCA is the only animal ambulance in the city of Houston.
- If the animal is aggressive and threatening, contact BARC at 311.
- If the animal is approachable and not aggressive, give it food and water and take it to a vet to scan for a microchip.
- If there's no microchip, distribute "Found Dog" flyers in the area where you found it and post the flyers on Lost & Found Pets Facebook pages, on NextDoor and on any other neighborhood sites.
If you can’t find an owner and can’t keep the animal, there aren’t many options. Depending on where you live, you can take it to BARC or the Harris County Animal Shelter but they may euthanize it. Other shelters charge a surrender fee and also euthanize. A rescue group may have room or transport, but they are currently overwhelmed with intake.
Your best bet is to use your own network to find the animal a new home. You may be surprised by your friends, family and co-workers.
- Start by getting it vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and treated for any medical problems. A rescue group may be able to assist with vetting if you can commit to fostering and finding it a home.
- Make an adoption flyer with cute photos of the animal and a short bio with information like approximate age, breed, size and weight, demeanor and vetting status. Describe how it interacts with other dogs, cats and children.
- Then promote, promote, promote! Share the flyer at work, etc. and post it on social media. Send it to friends, co-workers, relatives and others and ask them to help in the search.
- If you find a potential adopter, Barrio Dogs has an application you can use. Meet the potential adopter at a dog park or other public area. Ask them to bring their own dog(s) if any. Ask about fencing and security in their yard, whether the dog will be kept indoors or outdoors, where it will sleep, etc. Trust your instincts; if the person doesn't seem legit, don't let them have the dog.
- Be patient. It may take a while to find the right home, or maybe you will become a foster failure and adopt the animal yourself.
Resources
Spay, Neuter & Wellness Clinics
- Emancipet Houston, 910 S. Wayside Dr #100, Houston, TX 77023 (713)321-2713
- Emancipet Houston, 8533 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77017 (713)321-2713
- Gulfgate Animal Hospital, 216 Winkler Drive, Houston, TX 77087 (713)643-5723
- Long Drive Dog & Cat Hospital, 7327 Long Drive, Houston, TX 77087 (713)643-0633
- Pet Clinic On Bellfort, 7151 Bellfort, Houston, TX 77087 (713)842-7050
- Texas Litter Control, 586 Sawdust Rd, Spring, TX 77380 (832)510-7622
- Houston Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77053 (713)433-6421
- Eado Veterinary Clinic, 2704 Polk St, Suite C, Houston, TX 77003 (713)297-8200
- Citizens for Animal Protection, 7555 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094 (281)497-0591
- Petcare Express, 2501 W Holcombe Blvd D, Houston, TX 77030 (713) 592-9977
- Petcare Express, 6220 W 43rd St, Houston, TX 77092 (832) 649-3179
