"What is Animal Cruelty?": A Crime Stoppers Safe Community Seminar

Barrio Dogs was honored to participate in an excellent Crime Stoppers Safe Community Seminar "What is Animal Cruelty" on September 16, 2014. Representatives from the Harris Country District Attorney's Office as well as the Houston Humane Society were there along with Barrio Dogs.

Saw some good friends and learned more about the issue. Thank you Sonia Soto and Crime Stoppers for inviting Barrio Dogs to participate! To learn more about the Safe Community program, go to http://www.crime-stoppers.org/programming/safe-community-programs/.

Don't do this to your dog!

We'll occasionally see dogs in the community with heavy chains around their necks. We don't understand the purpose of this other than to make the animal suffer. In response, we created this poster.

A Great Before & After Poster

We wanted to publish something happy and encouraging. Here is a before and after poster of some of our Barrio Dogs. Although Barrio Dogs' mission is not rescue, we do rescue dogs in bad shape from time to time. Watching these sad dogs transform into happy, beautiful animals is wonderful and helps us keep doing what we're doing. We've learned that most dogs can become healthy, adoptable pets; all they usually need is medical treatment, regular vetting, TLC, time and a lot of love!

Texas' No Dumping Law

Too often, people who can't take care of their dog get rid of it by dumping it. Not only is this cruel but it's also illegal and constitutes animal cruelty. If you see someone dumping a dog, get their license plate number and a picture if possible and report the crime to the police. Also, let others know about this law and encourage them to report dumping if they see it.  By working together to enforce the laws, we can hopefully reduce and eventually eliminate this cruel practice!

Please don't crop or dock

Animals are perfect the way they are. Please don't crop your dogs' ears or dock their tails unless medically necessary. Don't try to improve on what is already perfect.

Did you know. . .

that it's illegal to sell animals on Houston's street, parking lots, roadways, and flea markets? It is! Report sellers to BARC by calling 311.

If it's hot outside, it's very hot inside your car! Don't leave your pets in your car!

Come on people, fix your pit bulls!

Pit bulls and pit bull mixes are the most euthanized breed at Houston's BARC animal shelter and at shelters around the state and country. Yet we still encounter residents who want to breed their pit bull because of the mistaken belief they will be able to sell the puppies. It's much more likely the puppies will be euthanized or end up on the streets, not sold to others.

Please help us educate others that breeding and selling puppies is a bad idea. It contributes to overpopulation and unless you are a licensed breeder, it is illegal and will be reported to the authorities.

Barrio Watchdog "Violation" Door Hanger

We use these English & Spanish door hangers in the community when we spot violations of certain laws involving animals. We leave the door hanger with the resident, sometimes on the door or fence. While we have no authority to enforce these laws, we hope that by informing the owners, they will do the right thing and correct their actions.