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| Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) |
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253 Wythe Ave. at N. First St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-486-7489.
TonyBARC@aol.com.
www.barcshelter.org
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Seven days a week, noon to 5 p.m.
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Take the L train to Bedford Avenue. When you exit the subway, you will be at the corner of Bedford and N. Seventh St.. Walk south on Bedford to N. First St.. Make a right on N. First and walk two blocks to Wythe St..
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BARC is a no-kill shelter that was founded in 1988 by Anthony Stoto and Vincent Spinola, co-owners of BQE Pet Food and Grooming in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. When Stoto and Spinola opened their store in 1987, they started feeding and caring for stray animals in the neighborhood. Before long they decided to find homes for these strays. BQE Pet Food and Grooming still serves as shelter headquarters.
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There's room for 40 dogs. Last year, more than 500 cats and dogs were adopted from the BARC Shelter.
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Around 60 percent are given up by their owners; 25 percent are strays; and 15 percent are rescued from abusive or neglectful homes. BARC's dogs are mainly medium-to-large-sized mixed breeds. About 20 percent are purebred and two percent are puppies.
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$100. Dogs have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Also, dogs are socialized and given basic leash training.
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Though some of BARC's dogs can be viewed on the website, the staff advises that you pay a visit to the shelter and spend some time with the dogs. They will interview you and recommend dogs they think are well suited to you. You can spend as much time as you'd like with the dogs, and you can even take one or more of them for a walk around the neighborhood. If you want to adopt, fill out an application form. You'll need a picture i.d., proof of address, two references who are not family members, contact information for your vet if you have one, and your lease, a letter from your landlord stating that dogs are allowed in your apartment, or a mortgage statement. Also bring along any children and dogs that will be living with the new pet.
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BARC strongly believes that pet adoption should be a well-thought-out decision, so there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before you can take your new dog home. You must sign an adoption contract pledging to properly care for your dog and remain in contact with BARC. You'll get two follow-up calls: at one month and at six months after you adopt. BARC requires that if you change your mind or can't keep a dog any longer, you return the dog to them.
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BARC maintains a courtesy list on its website of dogs and cats available for adoption from other sources.
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