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IRS Formally Recognizes New Houston BARC Foundation as 501(c)(3); Inaugural Event to be Held on April 1, 2011

The Houston BARC Foundation (HBF) recently received approval from the Internal Revenue Service to operate as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The formal establishment of the Houston BARC Foundation represents the culmination of a year of planning and preparation, and marks a “game changing” moment in the future history of Houston’s approach to the care for, and ultimate prevention of, homeless animals.

The inaugural membership event will be held from 5:30-7:30 on Friday, April 1, 2011, at UP!, located at 3995 Westheimer Boulevard in Highland Village. Mayor Annise Parker will introduce approximately 80 selected invitees to HBF’s Board of Directors and their crucial mission. Members of City Council will also attend to share their thanks with HBF.

HBF was organized by private citizens, with the support of Mayor Parker and City Council, to improve the quality of life and survival rate of all homeless animals in Houston. HBF recognizes that in order to prevent animals from becoming homeless and arriving at BARC, spay and neuter procedures must be made available to more Houston residents. HBF’s Founding Board of Directors is comprised of eight of Houston’s philanthropic leaders, all of whom share a deep care for animals. HBF’s Founding Directors are Linda F. Barrett, Janet R. Dietrich, Danielle Ellis, Sidney Faust, Tena Lundquist Faust, Tama Lundquist, Michelle Mantor & Sue Powell.

The Houston BARC Foundation also realizes that BARC’s urgent financial need cannot be adequately addressed during the City’s current budget situation. Contributions to HBF will directly support life-saving BARC initiatives and new homeless animal prevention programs.

“We are dedicated and determined to improving the quality of life for Houston’s animals – forever – by improving spay/neuter & adoption rates, expanding BARC’s capacity to help the homeless, and providing funds to help all animals at risk,” said Linda F. Barrett, President of HBF’s Board of Directors.

The creation of the Houston BARC Foundation as a private fundraising organization is one more powerful step in the transformation of BARC, which the City initiated 18 months ago. HBF will soon unveil a dedicated website to provide information about its efforts on behalf of Houston’s homeless animals, to inform citizens how they can support HBF’s mission, and to announce upcoming events.

Mayor Annise Parker commends the Founding Board of Directors: “In these challenging economic times, it is wonderful to see such leadership from the private sector. The money raised by the Houston BARC Foundation will further our goal of a first-rate animal shelter in Houston, an essential piece of which is broad availability of spay/neuter procedures.”

For more information about BARC, we encourage everyone to visit the new www.houstonbarc.com.

 

 

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