BARCS

I read all the negative comments and it’s a shame, quick to judge but not the look at the whole picture of the good positive things that this organization does. I had heard of Barcs through a good friend with positive things and what good they do. Yesterday I got to experience them first hand, I found that if you look their website first, and pick out two or three dogs it helps the process. Also it tells you what EXACT time the place opens hence your not endlessly waiting. Unlike what I did, got there good three hours too early. The process did seem confusing but it’s a very busy, not just people wanting to adopt, but people trying to get their dogs back, one lady needed legal paperwork to get a snake back. The staff has lots of volunteers, meaning, they are there on their time, wanting to help, they are very nice and kind. I did adopt the little girl I wanted, she won’t replace my big guy. However, Roxy will fill the huge void he left, she is quite a character. One thing that is awesome that they do is an adoption class, very good information

BARCS is an amazing organization. They’ve done so much to reduce the euthanasia rate at their shelter. They reach out to rescues, have a barn cat program, and have created a great adoption and foster program.
Every organization has issues at times. With a limited budget and over 15,000 animals who come through their doors each year, BARCS deserves some slack. Im sure they always always always need more volunteers so if you’re on here complaining, perhaps you should offer your assistance instead. Lives are depending on it.

Most of the people if not all of the workers here are volunteers. Don’t come in with an attitude and or just expecting to be in and out. As busy as they are, they are still more than willing to help each person individually. You should expect to wait at least 30 min after signing in each time. Got one pet may get another soon.

Have found and caught several lost dogs in Baltimore city. BARCS is never open or available for help when you need them.

Tedious process very unorganized and discouraging. Spent 3 hours in there. I can see why they are over crowded. Are they trying to get rid of the animals or are they holding them hostage. They make it extremely difficult to adopt a pet. Finally supposed to pick up a cat today they neuter him first and test for FIV last. I was told one hour before I was supposed to pick him up that he tested positive. Really disheartening.

in one word: unorganized
I was looking for a second dog today that would get along with my current dog, Toto. I arrived before they were officially open but was allowed to fill out an application. I had my dog with me. The volunteer informed me that the kennels open at 2. He said I wouldn’t be able to being my dog back into the kennels (understandable); however, after discovering one I thought would be a match, it could be brought out to meet my dog to see how they got along. Okay. Perfectly reasonable.
Fast forward to a couple hours later. It’s around 2:30 when I walk in with Toto. I wait for five minutes at the counter before I can even sign in, not due to a line, but simply because the workers are in disarray. Mind you, they’ve only been open half an hour. I sign in and everyone is very friendly. One of the ladies informs me that this other young woman would assist me with finding a dog. She comes around and I explain what the man had told me earlier. She had to go check with someone. She comes back and says that, yes I can check out the dogs, and yes, Toto can’t go back there. Perfect. Exactly what the guy told me.
So I let her know that I’m here by myself so there isn’t anyone to watch her. (side note: I’ve been too many shelters, and every one I’ve been to has had an area for the already-​owned dogs to wait, whether it’s a pen, room, etc.) She looks bewildered. She suggests I leave Toto in the car while I look. I seemingly have to remind her it’s almost 90°F outside. She seems confused. Then she tells me that even if I found a potential match today, they wouldn’t be able to meet because the adoption application would have to go through. I try explaining how that doesn’t make sense– why would I begin the adoption process for a dog that my own dog might hate? What? Why wouldn’t they meet? She says something along the lines of «they can’t meet on the same day you find one. You’d have to come back again for them to meet.»
Ludicrous! I walked out.
This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with incompetence here. When I came to get Toto’s city pet license, I waited in line for almost FOUR hours. I asked numerous workers/​volunteers if I was required to stand in line since I just needed a license and she didn’t need any shots, etc. They reassured me at least THREE times that yes, indeed, I needed to wait in the line (with her, mind you).
Guess what? I didn’t. Once I finally made it inside to get the license, the lady issuing those was flabbergasted I had waited all afternoon for a pet license. She apologized profusely. Something that should have taken 15 minutes max took four hours due to incompetence.
Go elsewhere until you want a pit bull mix.

BARCS has the interest of the animals in their posession at heart and that’s how it should be. They aren’t there to cater to the humans– they are there to help and save strays, etc. I respect and support them tremendously for it! As someone who brings her pups here for their shots and has rescued one of their pitts– I love this place, love what they are doing, donate what I can, when I can, how ever I can, and urge other do to the same.
I’ve been to quite a few shelters — this place holds a very high standard.

An animal shelter, especially one as large as BARCS, would have to do something pretty horrendous for me to give them anything less than 5 stars. BARCS is overcrowded and probably understaffed. Why? Because they do everything they possibly can to help an insane number of animals every single day, which unfortunately isn’t the most glamorous or predictable job. They seem to accept any animal that’s brought to them, in addition to the numerous strays they pick up. They even strongly encourage people to bring back any animal they adopt if it isn’t working out, as if they have the room or resources to do so… because they’d rather be in way over their heads and doing their best to help than have a person abandon an animal, abuse it, etc.
In response to a few of the other reviews: might you wait a while to be escorted through the shelter to view their available pets? Yes. Are there lots of pit bulls? Sadly for the pit bulls and all the ignorant people out there who either don’t treat them right or are afraid to adopt them, yes. If you’re serious about adopting a pet you should, without hesitation, visit BARCS. If you don’t think it’s worth the possibility of having to wait a little while to save the life of an animal who needs a home then you shouldn’t be looking to adopt in the first place.
Obviously the whole mission of BARCS is to help animals in need and to re-​home them. How anyone could feel okay advising people not to adopt an animal from them because they had to wait a little while is beyond me. Everyone who works at BARCS has made a conscious choice to donate their time to a good cause, and while the overwhelming abundance of animals and work it takes to take care of them may not allow the entire to operation to run as quickly and efficiently as some impatient people may expect, should the animals suffer because of it? I don’t think so.
So visit BARCS with an open mind, see the harsh reality of what an animal shelter is actually like and if you’re a reasonable, responsible person who truly gets it then adopt a pet. There are way more animals out there than there are people adopting.
In case you’re wondering, my family adopted a 3 year old dog from BARCS and the process ran very smoothly. We received a 30-​ish minute adoption counseling session from a girl (whose name I wish I could remember) who was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We’ve had dogs in the past but have never adopted one… and I will never again get a dog from anywhere other than a shelter. BARCS neutered him for us, gave him his necessary vaccines and sent him home with medication for an ear issue he has. I was thoroughly impressed. However, without a shadow of a doubt, the best part of the entire experience is the satisfaction in knowing we brought home a dog who was abandoned and he will now get to live out the rest of his days in a peaceful, loving home regardless of whatever he may have endured in his past.

If you’re reading this before visiting BARCS, this is not a glamorous adoption experience, but if you keep an open mind, you’ll end up with a great rescue pet. Don’t be afraid to ask questions (for example, there is a difference between «fully vaccinated» and «vaccinations are up to date»).
I first visited BARCS over Labor Day weekend and went home with a kitten that day, whom we couldn’t love more! In fact, I was a day late for the August adoption fee waiver, but the shelter waived the fee anyway. The staff and fosters are dedicated, friendly, and efficient with the tons of animals and people they deal with on a regular basis. BARCS, keep up the good work!

Don’t go into BARCS expecting a fancy animal rescue experience. This is basically the city pound. It’s very busy and if you pay attention, you’ll notice the staff members are always running around working hard. If you set your expectations, you won’t get disgruntled if you have to wait a bit. Just remember that finding your new best friend is worth a few hours of your time! And your adoption fee is significantly less than one of the fancy rescue places.
I went in to see the dogs around 4:30 on a weekday. The place was packed, so I signed in and waited for one of the matchmakers to take me around and show me the dogs. He was very friendly and was able to tell me about the different personalities of most of the dogs and pointed out some of his favorites.
As soon as I saw a sweet little beagle mix, Shasta, I had my heart set on him. He had just came in as a stray the same day so he had a three day waiting period before anyone could adopt him. The staff had me fill out an application so I could have the first option to adopt him when he became available. Then I went home to wait a few days before I could officially meet him. The whole process took a little over an hour.
I returned three days later and fell in love with him all over again. He needed to be neutered before I brought him home so I made an appointment to come back for him. (I recommend paying the extra $ 10 to get a microchip for your pet in case he is ever lost.) I attended the adoption class which was fairly short but informative. This visit was about an hour.
The day I went back to pick him up was just a week after my first visit to the shelter. I waited for a few minutes and got some information about taking care of him after his surgery. Then the staff brought him out to me and we were on our way! I brought him home exactly a week after I first saw him.
This shelter does not test for heartworm so I recommend making a vet appointment as soon as you know when your pet is coming home. We went to the vet within a couple of days and, except for a little kennel cough, my guy is healthy and happy. Overall I consider this a great adoption experience and I’m so lucky to have found a great dog!

We replied to a craigslist ad placed by a foster care provider on behalf of BARCS for a cat we wanted to meet after recently losing our beloved pet. Someone took the time to place this lengthy ad with multiple pictures, mentioning that the cat wasn’t doing well in the foster home with multiple other cats and was sweet but probably would prefer a single-​pet home — and never bothered to reply to our e-​mails. After a few days we called BARCS, got somebody who sounded like she never heard of craigslist and said their process was to fill out an application (available online), then a meeting is set up with the foster provider to meet the animal. Why place an ad if you aren’t going to reply? And if you’re going to bother placing ad, why not just explain the process in the ad so people can proceed directly to submitting applications rather than wait days for a reply to an e-​mail that’s never going to come? At any rate, we filled out an app online after having to do some navigation to figure out a way to submit it (not mentioned anywhere on or near the application), and it’s been several days and they still haven’t responded to that either. We give up. Going in person wouldn’t make sense since it’s a foster animal, and we could continue to call, but there are many other animals out there and excellent organizations, two of which I have dealt with before and one of which I have volunteered at. Understaffed is one thing, but never have I experienced this level of incompetence and simply not caring. Adopting animals is their ONLY mission. And they’re not able or willing to do it. Sad.

Let me start by saying that BARCS is appreciative of all their donations, support and volunteerism. I have not only adopted from BARCS but have also volunteered there for a day through my work. Unfortunately, it is a fact to say that the establishment is understaffed but it is also a non-​profit organization… so it is to be expected I suppose.
If you are looking to have a «quick» turnover/​adoption this is NOT the place to go. You are better off going to an SPCA. It typically takes 2 – 5 hours to adopt an animal at BARCS but in all honesty, I don’t fault BARCS for this As a resident of Baltimore City, I have seen many animals walking around the streets without a home or owner. So if you are super passionate about adopting an animal, especially a dog (maybe even a pitbull pup — which most of the shelter is full of) then you won’t mind taking a couple of hours to straighten out the paperwork and adopt your four legged friend.
BARCS is also highly known for its collaboration with many Baltimore Orioles players (Matt Wieters, Nate McClouth, Buck Showalter), as well as some Ravens (Torrie Smith). They are constantly getting involved to help support the mission of keeping animals off the street and not bullied by humans, which unfortunately is so common in the city of Baltimore.
I will forever support the mission of BARCS and stand by it’s ability to find furever homes for many of its animals! Keep spreading the word and love. My Moobear is super happy and it’s thanks to you that I was able to give her a warm and loving home!

As a previous reviewer mentioned, this place adopts out dogs with serious known issues. They had «confidential» information that the dog they gave me «could not let anyone besides his previous owner near him.» I only learned this a year later when I called them about bringing him back. The woman on the phone said «he should never have been adopted out. he should be put down before he hurts someone.» Funny thing is, noone told me this, so I (gasp) actually let a few people pet him at the beginning and there were a few minor bite incidents before I realized he needed to be managed.
Thanks Barcs, over a year after adoption NOW you tell me he may have neurological issues and should be put down after I’ve bonded with him, hired numerous behaviorists and trainers, and spent countless hours working with him?! WTF!!! Apparently the administration has changed and they are being more careful now. That’s how they were able to let me know about the previous «confidential» info.
Still, the damage has been done. Now all the people who warned me not to get a shelter dog feel like they have «proof» that shelter dogs are bad. Not only is Barcs shoddiness a disservice to Barcs, it’s a disservice to shelters and shelter pets in general. Don’t get me wrong, I still think animal rescue is the best choice but maybe not through Barcs or if, so, be cautious, VERY cautious so you don’t end up in my situation.

I have to preface this by saying that the cat I adopted is the sweetest, most adorable little lovebug ever and I am so happy that she’s joined my family. However, I feel like BARCS itself is misleading and borderline negligent so I have to write a review that reflects this.
I was told that the cat I chose had undergone surgery that morning but it wasn’t until I was in the middle of the adoption class (after I had paid for her) that I was informed that she was on 2 different medications that I would have to administer for the next two weeks (luckily I am comfortable with giving cats oral medicine but I know many people aren’t). While I know space is always at a premium in shelters, once I found out the extent of her injuries it seems horrible that they would adopt her out before she was fully healed. I was also told that all cats are vaccinated (isn’t that part of what the adoption fee is meant to cover?) but it turns out she was going to need a booster shot in 4 days that BARCS will not administer. I have to take her for a checkup anyway but if I am very frustrated that they would tell me that she was fully vaccinated when that was not the case.
I used to work at the SPCA in Annapolis and animals would never be put in the adoption area until they were fully vaccinated and recovered from their spay/​neuter surgeries. I was also told that I would receive 30 days of free pet insurance so long as I activated it within 3 days which made me feel better about having to deal with her booster shot. When I got home I realized I had not received an activation code but the paperwork said to wait 48 hours for it to come via email before contacting the company. I never received the email so I called 2 days later and they told me that the gift was only viable if it was activated the same day. So annoying! Luckily they also provided an $ 8.95 credit toward a monthly policy so I’m hoping that will cover her wellness exam, booster shot, and medication for the cold she came home with. All in all it has been a frustrating experience where I feel like I had no idea what I signed up for.

Not the nicest building but you can tell where the money goes, strait to the animals. They have a lot of animals to choose from and I have to say i got my dog from there. It can be a wait to see the animals but if your patient it is worth it. they make sure you have all of the information before you leave and that your ready for your new pet.

Very torn with this place. They are always under staffed so there always seems to be mass confusion. I personally donated 7 of their lobby chairs and have volunteered numerous times and just as a volunteer didn’t feel appreciated. On another note my heart goes out to them because they have tons of fantastic animals. So I am hoping they get it together and soon. So on the flip side a great place to find sweet loveable animals.
Also be prepared for a looooong wait (like for real talking 3 – 5 hrs)

I’m of two minds here — on the one hand, we got our wonderful cat here and know many others who have great pets from BARCS. On the other hand, it’s crowded, hectic and under-​staffed, and even though the staff members/​volunteers are friendly they are also often hurried and harried.
I highly recommend getting your pet (s) here, but be prepared for a bit of a wait!

An actual nightmare. Pit bulls stacked on top of pit bulls and no organization whatsoever. Couldn’t even sit to wait to get tags for my dog. I understand they’re understaffed but for a simple 20 dollar transaction it shouldn’t take nearly an hour and a half.

Let me first start off by saying that I know the BARCS is over-​crowded and under-​staffed. I recently rescued a cat from a foster. I was lucky because that seemed to speed up the process. (I’ve heard stories of people waiting for over an hour just to go look at the cats). Still, when I went to pay for the cat and sign the contract, I waited over an hour and then when I went to have her micro-​chipped, I waited 40 minutes, when I had a set appointment.
I know I sound like a terrible person, but I wouldn’t recommend adopting from BARCS, but from one of their associated rescues if you want to avoid waiting every time you have to go. The long waits (not to mention that the three times I went it seemed like there were at least 5 people chatting and not «working») is a hinderance.

I adopted my cat from BARCS a about a year ago. Overall I was very very pleased with the whole experience. The staff was patient and helpful.
BARCS might not look like anything fancy from the outside (or from the inside for that matter) but they are doing the best they can with extremely limited funding, the whole time I was there I saw staff and voulenteers working non-​stop to keep kennels and cages clean and stocked.
My cat was a 1 year old stray found in Baltimore City. She had an upper-​respiratory infection upon intake to the shelter which they had medicated and treated. She was spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. I got a bag of science diet food and a session with an adoption councilor who was very insightful. There was a promotion that month that waived the adoption fee if you adopted an animal who was over 1 year old (since everyone always wants kittens and puppies), so the only thing I paid for was the microchipping, which I requested, and was only $ 10. They are always running all kinds of adoption specials to waive what fees they can. They do same-​day adoption if your pet is ready to be adopted which is great when you’re excited to take home your new little one :)
This place is a great operation doing the best that they can with limited funding. There are a staggering amount of amazing animals here who need a family. The shelter staff sincerely have the animal’s best interests at heart and just want them all to find a great forever home.