Wondering how to help animals or adopt a pet in Houston? Look no further than your local animal shelters and rescues. They need your help and support now more than ever. In fact, Houston animal shelters are unfortunately overrun with more than 80,000 homeless pets annually (according to S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition).
There are plenty of options to participate in animal rescue fundraisers, volunteer days and events throughout Houston (and Texas in general. If you have just moved or are planning to move to Houston and would like to make a difference in an animal’s life, keep reading for helpful tips and advice.
How Can I Help Animals in Houston?
The best way to help animals in Houston is to get in touch with a reputable shelter or rescue organization focused on the types of animals you are interested in working with. Houston animal rescues are almost as varied as the animals themselves, and include breed-specific rescues, farm animal rescues, pregnant and abused animal rescues.
Don’t think that helping animals just means cleaning up after them and taking walks (though, of course, it can also mean just that)! A lot of times, Houston animal shelters and rescues need people who can manage administrative tasks like filing or helping visitors on a volunteer basis.
Another great way to help animals in Houston is, of course, to adopt one!
Find Storage Near You!
The Best Houston Animal Shelters
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) Animal Shelter
The Harris County Public Health Animal Shelter in Houston offers pet adoptions at its shelter and through its new Adoption Bus with mobile adoption events and foster adoption events. Stray animals must stay on site three days to try to ensure their owner can potentially find them. The shelter also offers Community Outreach and Education classes.
Address:
612 Canino Rd.
281-999-3191
Adoption Hours:
Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Price:
Puppy/dog — $80/$50
Kitten/cat – $35/$20
(Discounts for seniors and military)
Houston Humane Society
Houston Humane Society is one of the many animal shelters in Houston that receives no local, state or federal funding. It offers pet adoptions, humane education, cruelty investigations, and a low-cost spay/neuter and wellness clinic. The Humane Society relies on volunteers to fill critical roles in so many areas, including bathers, walkers, members of the mobile adoption team, and volunteers for its foster program.
Address:
14700 Almeda Rd.
713-433-6421
Adoption Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Price:
Dogs– $95 – $125
Cats — $50 (for 1 or 2)
Houston SPCA
Houston SPCA is the city’s first and largest animal rescue organization. In addition to Houston SPCA’s intake and adoption focus, it also serves as the region’s animal rescue experts by investigating more than 7,000 cases of animal neglect, abuse and cruelty each year. This Houston animal shelter offers community education as well as its popular Critter Camp for kids each spring break and summer. The Wildlife Center of Texas is a subsidiary of Houston SPCA and cares for more than 10,000 wild animals each year.
If you’re wondering, “How can I help animals in Houston?” – wonder no more. Volunteers are needed year-round at SPCA and its Wildlife Center.
Address:
7007 Old Katy Road
713-869-7722
Adoption Hours: Monday – Friday: 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
Price:
Dogs — $45 – $295
Cats/kittens — $25 – $125
Rabbits/ferrets/guinea pigs — $25/$115/$25
Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP)
This nonprofit located in West Houston offers pet adoption, off-site Humane Education programs, Kids & Kritters Summer Camp, and the CAP Vaccination Clinic and Wellness Center. CAP is always looking for folks to volunteer and foster animals, not to mention adopt a pet or two. The Education Center also is available for kids’ birthday parties and meetings. CAP is a “managed intake shelter,” meaning it won’t euthanize animals to make room for more. Its adoption rate is three times the national average and among the highest in the state.
Address:
17555 Katy Freeway
281-497-0591
Adoption Hours:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. (till 7 p.m. in summer)
Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (till 7 p.m. in summer)
Price:
Dogs — $99 – $129
Cat/kitten — $50/$84
Bunnies/Guinea Pigs/Ferrets — $45/$20/$89
Senior Citizen special – Folks age 60 yrs.+ can adopt at no charge (animal age 7yrs or older)
Military/veteran special – Half off adoption fees
VIP (Very Important Pet) program – Animals at the shelter for more than one month can be adopted for 50% off.
BARC Animal Shelter
BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions recently unveiled a $6 million adoption campus. This enabled the shelter, arguably one of the best adoption places in Houston, to house even more animals with indoor/outdoor dog runs, two dog adoption kennels, administrative area, courtyard and parking lot. The entire facility also offers a Wellness Center, low cost spay/neuter services, and animal intake.
BARC offers an incredible deal with $5 adoption days when its animal intake exceeds capacity. The shelter is always looking for folks to volunteer and foster animals, which helps them save the lives of even more furry friends.
Address:
3200 Carr Street
713-837-0311
Adoption Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Price:
Dogs/puppies — $50/$75
Dogs/puppies at the shelter more than 10 days — $20
Cats/kittens — $20
Military discount – Half off dogs
Seniors for seniors – Animals over age 2 are free for seniors age 60+
Houston Animal Rescues
Here are a few of the Houston rescue organizations helping to find homes for Houston’s large homeless animal population
Here are a few of the Houston rescue organizations helping to find homes for Houston’s large homeless animal population. Obviously, there are many more amazing rescue organizations, and I can’t list them all!
Friends for Life
This is the only LEED-certified, no-kill animal shelter in Texas located at 107 E. 22nd St. According to the organization, “75% of the animals adopted through Friends for Life are deemed ‘unadoptable’ at other shelters.” They have an urgent need for fostering or adopting a pet so if you were thinking about it before, this is the perfect place to get started!
K9 Angels Rescue
Considering fostering a pet? K9 Angels Rescue is always looking for foster families. This center has a variety of K9s to choose from. . Their adoption center is located at 1215 W. 19th St. Adoption hours are Saturdays, 10am – 6pm and Sundays, 11am – 3pm. No appointment necessary!
Pup Squad Animal Rescue
This Houston animal rescue focuses on orphaned puppies and nursing litters from the streets. They host pet adoption events throughout Houston. You can also foster the many animals they have or spare some time volunteering. You must be 16 years old to volunteer with them alone. Otherwise, you have to be accompanied by a responsible adult!
Special Pals
Special Pals is a nonprofit, no-kill Houston animal shelter offering adoptions, wellness clinic, boarding, spay/neuter services in West Houston (3830 Greenhouse). They also offer a program called Rent-A-Pal, where you can get matched with the a furry friend for the day. Take them on a walk, go to the park, or just spend some time outdoors. It helps get the animals some exercise and time away from the shelter! Animals are required to be returned to the shelter by closing time.
Scout’s Honor Rescue
Scout’s Honor Rescue is a foster-based rescue that provides a second chance to animals pulled from city shelters. Unlike other Houston rescue organizations, there is no physical address to meet the animals. Those interested in fostering or adopting are required to fill out the appropriate application first. The group also hosts a number of events throughout the year with on-site adoptions, so be sure to check its website for upcoming get-togethers.
HOPE (Homeless Orphaned Pets Endeavor)
This nonprofit has adopted out 7,000 dogs and cats since its beginning in 1999. It also works to help the feral cat population with TNR (trap, neuter and return). Adoption events are at Petco locations throughout Houston.
Houston Homeless Pet Project
This Houston animal rescue refers to itself as the rescue of last resort for the lost, abandoned and homeless dogs. They have a recurring adoption event at Conroe’s Southern Star Brewing Company every second Sunday of the month from 12-4.
S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition
This is a rescue of last resort for animals that need medical care or special attention. It has saved more than 2,400 animals since it began in November of 2013.This nonprofit has a new Max-Mobile Adoption Trailer that holds 20 dogs or cats available for adoption. Not content with being named one of the best adoption places in Houston, S.A.V.E. even has a Pups on Planes program to fly dogs to adopters all over the country and Canada!
Have you adopted an animal through a Houston animal shelter or rescue organization? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!
