BARCS, the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, is Baltimore City's open-admission shelter and one of the largest in Maryland. It took in more than 12,000 animals in 2024 and has built a huge foster network to support them. Here is how adoption, surrender, the community cat program, and giving work.
BARCS is an open-admission shelter, which it describes as accepting and caring for all animals in need regardless of health, history of abuse, age, or temperament. It is Baltimore City's shelter, operating from a city-owned building in Cherry Hill, and animals picked up by the city's animal-control officers are turned over to BARCS to be reunited with owners or adopted out.
It is one of the largest shelters in Maryland. In 2024 it took in 12,288 animals, including more than 6,000 dogs and about 5,400 cats, along with small animals, wildlife, farm animals, and exotics, and still reported a live release rate nearing 90 percent.
Adoption fees are set as packages rather than by species. Each package includes spay or neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, flea and parasite prevention, a microchip, the Baltimore City pet license for city residents, and a starter bag of food.
| Animal | Adoption fee |
|---|---|
| Champion package | $75 |
| Best in Show package | $110 (adds a leash and collar for dogs or a carrier for cats) |
Adoption fees are waived for every animal every Wednesday all year, though Baltimore City residents still pay the $10 city license fee. Adoption is walk-in at the shelter, where spayed and neutered animals can often go home the same day; foster-home and in-store adoptions are by appointment. The shelter is open weekday afternoons and weekend late mornings.
The Outdoor Cats Program is a free community cat and trap-neuter-return service for Baltimore City, providing humane trapping, spay or neuter, a rabies vaccine, and an ear tip, with capacity for roughly 3,000 cats a year.
BARCS also runs low-cost veterinary and spay and neuter services, performing more than 8,000 surgeries in 2024, and a Keeping Pets With Families program that provides vaccines, medical care, and supplies to help around 7,000 owned pets a year stay in their homes. There is a pet food bank for owners in need.
Owner surrender is for Baltimore City residents by scheduled appointment and is treated as a last resort. To start, call (410) 396-4695 or email [email protected].
BARCS leans heavily on volunteers and foster homes. In 2024, 987 foster homes cared for 2,246 animals, and about 2,600 volunteers gave 42,000 hours. Volunteers must complete an orientation, and most foster roles are for adults 18 and older.
BARCS holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 94 percent score and the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 86-1130456, and it keeps Amazon and urgent-needs wish lists for supply donations.
Baltimore City's shelter, accepting all animals regardless of condition.
Free community cat trap-neuter-return for Baltimore City.
Spay, neuter, and medical care; over 8,000 surgeries in 2024.
Vaccines, care, and supplies to keep about 7,000 owned pets in homes.
Dog and cat food for owners in need.
987 foster homes cared for 2,246 animals in 2024.
Sources: BARCS (barcs.org) about, adoption, surrender, and community cat pages and its 2024 Lifesaving Report; the City of Baltimore animal services page; Charity Navigator and Candid (EIN 86-1130456). Some 2024 figures are drawn from the annual report. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with BARCS and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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