The City of Brownsville regrets to announce the temporary closure of the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center (BARCC), effective immediately. This closure is necessary due to the identification of a case of distemper, a highly contagious virus that affects the dog population.

 On Tuesday morning, BARCC leaders confirmed the presence of distemper within the Care Center, located at 416 FM 511 in Brownsville. Immediate action has been taken by the dedicated employees of the Department to contain the spread of the virus and provide appropriate treatment to the affected dogs.

 In the best interest of the health and safety of both the canine residents and the public, the decision has been made to temporarily close BARCC for a period of up to six weeks. This closure will allow for a thorough assessment of the situation, comprehensive disinfection measures, and the implementation of preventive protocols to ensure the containment of the virus.

 During this closure, BARCC staff will continue to work diligently to provide necessary care and treatment to the affected dogs, in coordination with veterinary professionals. The focus will be on minimizing the spread of the virus and ensuring the well-being of the animals under their care.

 The City of Brownsville acknowledges the inconvenience caused by this temporary closure and recognizes the importance of BARCC in serving the community and its pets. The City urges pet owners to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to protect their dogs from potential exposure to distemper or other infectious diseases. Vaccinations, regular veterinary check-ups and adhering to recommended preventive protocols are essential in safeguarding the health of our furry companions.

 Regular updates regarding the reopening of BARCC and any additional information will be provided through official City channels, including the City of Brownsville website and social media platforms.

BARCC leaders advised the only dogs that will be accepted at the Care Center during the temporary closure are those that need emergency medical care, those that have rabies, those that are extremely aggressive, those that have been seized, and animal cruelty cases.  

While dogs are not being adopted, the shelter is still open for cat adoptions. If you are interested in adopting, we encourage you to initiate your search by looking at our pet listing at BARCC online at www.24petconnect.com.Once you have found a cat that you like, please call us at (956) 544-7351 and provide us with the ID number provided on Pet Connect to set up an appointment with our adoption specialist.