BARCS Animal Shelter

BARCS is an open-admission shelter, meaning we accept and care for all animals in need regardless of health, history of abuse or neglect, age or temperament. This includes dogs, cats and small companions pets, along with farm animals, wildlife and exotic animals.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, BARCS fills the role of animal sheltering and care for Baltimore City. We are an essential service to our city, operating as a safe haven and community resource 365 days a year—every year since 2005. We uphold this unwavering commitment to the animals we serve through private donations from our community and beyond.

While the primary goal of our mission is to find positive outcomes for homeless animals, BARCS is so much more than an adoption facility:

• We are an emergency triage for sick, injured, abused and homeless animals

• We are among the largest comprehensive pet owner resource centers in Baltimore

• We have kept thousands of animals out of our shelter by directly aiding families in crisis

• We are a progressive leader in the national animal welfare community

• We provide employment and volunteer opportunities to hundreds of people in our community