City Council to vote on spay-neuter and emergency transport funding as Houston confronts stray dog crisis
Loose dogs, strays and neglected pets remain a daily problem across Houston as the city’s shelter strains for space.
Loose dogs, strays and neglected pets remain a daily problem across Houston as the city’s shelter strains for space. This week, City Council is set to vote on two measures aimed at reducing intake and moving animals to safety.
BARC says it fielded nearly 54,000 calls for service last fiscal year and took in more than 22,500 animals. While overall calls dipped slightly year over year, high-priority calls involving immediate danger are rising.
The first proposal would allocate more than $2.7 million for spay-neuter services through Houston Spay Neuter Clinic, guaranteeing up to 50 surgeries a week so every adopted or rescued animal leaves the shelter sterilized.
The second sets aside $520,000 for emergency transport through Rescued Pets Movement, which relocates hundreds of animals each month to rescue partners out of state.
“We save an average of 400 to 500 animals per month, and a good majority of those would be at risk of being put to sleep if it weren’t for RPM… That is simply a lack of resources,” said Shelby Roquemore, Executive Director of Rescued Pets Movement. “It’s not just an animal problem; it’s also a public safety problem… If there are stray animals on your streets, it is not safe to be out with your kids and your family.”
The items are scheduled for a vote Wednesday. If approved, funding would come from the city’s 2026 budget.
Resources:
- BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions: https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/
- Rescued Pets Movement: https://rescuedpetsmovement.org/
