Looking to adopt a furry friend in Houston? There are plenty of options to rescue a homeless animal in Houston rather than buying from a breeder. Unfortunately, more than 80,000 homeless pets are processed annually at the major Houston shelters, according to S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition.
Below is a list of Houston animal shelters offering many animals up for adoption. It also includes a glimpse of the many Houston rescue organizations who foster and offer adoption events for their homeless animals.
Houston Animal Shelters
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) Animal Shelter
The Harris County Public Health Animal Shelter in Houston offers 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 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am – 3:30 pm
Price:
Puppy/dog — $80/$50
Kitten/cat – $35/$20
(Discounts for seniors and military)
Houston Humane Society
Houston Humane Society receives no local, state or federal funding. Through its donations, it offers pet adoptions, humane education, cruelty investigations, and a low-cost spay/neuter and wellness clinic. It relies on volunteers in so many areas including bathers, walkers, Match Makers, mobile adoption team, foster program, Adoption Ambassadors and more.
Address:
14700 Almeda Rd.
713-433-6421
Adoption Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11 am – 6 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am – 5:30 pm
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’s also 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. 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 animal 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. 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 pm – 6 pm (till 7 pm in summer)
Wednesday – Saturday: 11 am – 6pm (till 7 pm 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
This Houston animal shelter off 610 East added a new $6 million adoption campus in 2015 as Phase 1 of its expansion. This enabled the shelter 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 $5 adoption days when it’s animal intake exceeds capacity. My family adopted a little “$5 blessing” from BARC during one of those weekends! The shelter is always looking for folks to volunteer and foster animals, which helps them save the lives of even more animals.
Address:
3200 Carr Street
713-837-0311
Adoption Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12 pm – 5:30 pm
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. 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 fosters so if you were thinking about it before, this is the perfect place to get started!
K9 Angels Rescue
K9 Angels Rescue is always looking for foster families. I adopted my precious Goldendoodle from this Houston animal rescue group. 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. Adoption events throughout Houston. You can also foster the many animals they have or spare some time volunteering.
Special Pals
Special Pals is a nonprofit, no-kill 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 right furry companion 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. There is no physical address to meet the animals. Those interested in fostering or adopting are required to fill out the appropriate application first.
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 2013.This nonprofit has a new Max-Mobile Adoption Trailer that holds 20 dogs or cats available for adoption.
