Baltimore Animal Rescue And Care Shelter (BARCS)

Every life we save begins with you. BARCS is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization operating Maryland’s largest animal shelter and pet adoption center. We are an open-admission shelter, granting refuge to every abandoned, neglected, abused, lost or surrendered animal that comes through our door. A staggering 30 or more animals are surrendered to BARCS every day. No matter what the circumstance, we do not turn away any animal in need of shelter, food, medical care and a loving touch. Yearly, this equates to more than 11,000 dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, and even wildlife and exotic animals that need care and placement. Each year, BARCS is growing, evolving and working to implement new innovative programs that benefit animals in need and the neighborhoods that support them. How far we've come: What does progress look like? When you step into our bustling adoption lobby today, it's hard to imagine that only a decade ago, most pets who entered this very-same building lost their lives. Only 2% of the animals were spared, while the other 98% were euthanized without a hope of finding a family. Today, BARCS is saving more than 89% of the animals brought to our shelter – a number that positively increases each and every year since our inception. Your support through adoption, donations and volunteering is critical to our success. Committed to our community: Along with animals adoption services, BARCS provides resources and low-cost services to pets and people in our community. Free and low-cost medical vaccine clinics, off-site community days, and our public food bank are just some of the ways we are helping pet owners in need, and touching the lives of thousands of families in our community. Every family pet we can help can mean one less animal being surrendered to our shelter. At BARCS, we believe that animal welfare isn't just a shelter issue, but a community issue. We are committed to both the animals and citizens of Baltimore City.