The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS)
The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is a general practice in Baltimore, MD. Procedures include Microchip, Spay and Neuter, and Vaccination.
About
The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as an open-admission animal shelter for Baltimore City. The facility provides essential animal care, including housing for homeless animals, lost and found services, and pet licensing. In addition to its primary shelter operations, the organization offers community-focused veterinary services such as low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics, as well as a low-cost spay and neuter program to promote responsible pet ownership.
BARCS acts as a critical safety net for the local community, providing resources to help families keep their pets and managing a high volume of animal intakes annually. The shelter works closely with the Baltimore City Bureau of Animal Control, which contracts with BARCS for animal care and housing. The organization relies heavily on private donations, grants, and volunteer support to sustain its operations and provide medical care for thousands of animals each year.
Surgical team
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Dr. Bobbie Mammato
DVM, MPH
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Stephanie Clark
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Amanda Nastalski
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Dakota Sears
Procedures
- Microchip
- Spay and Neuter
- Vaccination
Frequently asked questions
- What veterinary services does BARCS provide to the public?
- BARCS offers several community-focused veterinary resources, including monthly low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics. They also provide a low-cost spay and neuter program and maintain a community resource program designed to assist pet owners with various needs to help keep pets in their homes.
- Is BARCS a no-kill shelter?
- BARCS does not label itself as a no-kill shelter, noting that the term can be misleading. Instead, the organization focuses on working within its available resources to save all friendly, healthy, and treatable animals. Since 2015, the shelter has maintained a live-release rate between 85 and 90 percent.
- What is the relationship between BARCS and Baltimore City Animal Control?
- BARCS and the Bureau of Animal Control are separate organizations that share a building. While the Bureau of Animal Control handles health code enforcement and investigations, they do not operate a shelter facility. Consequently, they contract with BARCS to provide housing and care for the animals they impound.
- How does BARCS support pet owners in the community?
- BARCS operates a community resource program dedicated to providing support to pet owners in need. This includes offering safety-net services to help families keep their pets, as well as providing access to low-cost vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter services to promote responsible pet ownership throughout the city.