HOUSTON – The city of Houston has issued a plea for its animal shelter.

BARC is well over capacity, so it is taking a drastic measure to save the lives of all those animals. It is dropping all adoption fees to just $5 for the next few days.

The shelter’s capacity is 550 and nearly 630 animals are currently in its care. More than 500 of the animals are dogs.

“Our shelter is way over capacity," said Ashtyn Rivet, BARC Marketing and Outreach Manager. "Yesterday, we took in 184 dogs and cats. Animal intake sometimes slows during the holiday season but with lingering warm weather, we have seen unseasonably high numbers over the last few weeks."

Regular adoption fees are usually $75 for puppies, $50 for dogs older than 4 months, and $20 for cats and kittens. The temporary $5 adoption fee is in place Thursday through Sunday.

BARC's pet adoption package includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a one-year city pet license, and a pre-registered microchip with lifetime registration.

Pets currently available for adoption can be found on BARC's website, but BARC encourages all Houstonians to stop by BARC at 3300 Carr St. and meet each animal in person. BARC is open for adoptions seven days a week from noon to 5:30 p.m.