Barrio Dogs is a growing, grassroots, non-profit organization based in Houston, Texas with an emphasis on education and in raising awareness on proper animal care in the low income communities. We are an all-volunteer organization demonstrating what can be done when everyday people become empowered. Because there is a huge overpopulation of animals in these inner city communities, greater emphasis must be placed on spay and neutering. Reducing the numbers of unwanted animals is vital. With your help, Barrio Dogs seeks to effectively change these communities, without a full-time staff or a physical building. Everyday people doing incredible work. Join us and Be Your Own Hero!

First, the Barrio Dogs Youth and Paws (YAP) Program provides visits to elementary, middle and high schools featuring educational presentations, bilingual literature, guest speaker discussions, and an occasional visit by a rescued and rehabilitated dog. Also, Barrio Dogs Tales to Tails reading program helps children increase their confident and fluency in reading through one-on-one story telling sessions with a Rescue Education Ambassador Dog (R.E.A.D).

Second, the Barrio Dogs Therapy Program involves healthy, gentle-natured rescue dogs giving back to communities by visiting local nursing homes, children’s homeless shelters, and hospitals to bring comfort and encouragement to people in need.

Third, the Barrio Watch Dog Program will empower residents to recognize that animal neglect and abuse is a crime. With the Barrio Watch Dog Program, we aim to raise awareness of abuse in these communities, educate regarding standard and lawful animal care, and transform ignorance into action by reporting abuse. In particular, we aim to create intolerance of dogs chained to trees, animals locked in kennels, breeding and raising animals to sell, and dog-fighting culture.

Fourth, the Barrio Dogs for Better Communities is dedicated to creating a new narrative for dog owners, by providing an opportunity for a better quality of animal care in these low income areas. Fortunately, neglect is often unintentional as owners do love their companion animals, but often do not have the economic means for ideal animal care. For example, many dogs are chained due to the lack of appropriate fences. Barrio Dogs seeks to identify these owners to provide them with Freedom Fences, so they may unchain their pet, creating better pets and better communities.

Currently, the sad reality is that rescue work is unavoidable, because there are so many animals being neglected, abused or otherwise homeless in our communities. Due to the lack of a full-time staff or physical location, Barrio Dogs cannot serve as “first responders” for emergent cases of animal cruelty or rescue. We aim to provide information and other resources to the community, through our outreach and educational interventions, to encourage residents to take charge and be their own hero. By working together, everyday people can transform Houston’s inner city low income communities.

We appreciate your donations and support. Barrio Dogs is a 501c3.