Happy Tailssuccess stories from BARC adopters
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We adopted Lola in 02/10 from BARC. It was a big decision to get a dog, compounded by living and working in the city. Every day we are with Lola, we know we made the right choice. We were able to give her a home and she brightened our lives. She is great with dogs, cats, kids--basically anything with a pulse she wants to befriend. She is a wonderful dog and we thank BARC for that. It's a shame Pitbulls get such a bad wrap. I'm sure there are many more like her in need of a good home. If you are reading this and looking to adopt a dog, make sure that dog matches your personality, then take the plunge and adopt. You'll both be better for it. Thanks - Matthew & Chelsea
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We adopted Citrus, now Jodi, and Tiger, now Yuri III, three weeks ago. They've adapted already to living with us and with each other. They chase each other up and down the stairs in our duplex, and they wrestle all the time. They are insistent about their food and apparently have made a pact to eat us out of house and home. Although they are both orange tabbies (she’s actually a British Shorthair), they have different personalities. Yuri is insistent and bold, at least until the doorbell rings, when he goes and hides under the bedspread. Jodi has expressive eyes, is not nearly as insistent, and follows Maureen everywhere. They are inquisitive, gentle and really friendly cats. We feel like we really lucked out with these guys. It’s hard to imagine that they were shelter cats. I have attached a few pictures of them to say hi to their feline friends-- George & Maureen
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A few years ago I went to BARC to adopt a cat, Stilt. I had him all picked out and was on my way out the door when a little ball of fur trying to hide underneath a litter box caught my eye. It was a little kitten named Serena that had been found on the street. A volunteer explained to me that stray kittens do well if they are socialized and have another role model cat. I didn't want two cats, but I couldn't leave without her. What kind of life is there to live behind behind a litter box?
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 I am writing to tell you about the amazing life of Willy the dog, who's life was amazing because of you. Willy was a sweet-natured, fun-loving dog who required almost no effort to train. People responded to him wherever I went. I have countless memories of walking down the street in New York. People were so delighted with Willy wherever I took him. He had real doggie charisma! He almost never barked - he'd actually surprise himself when he barked, almost like he was looking around for who had done it! He loved putting on little shows of his running and spinning prowess whenever the space allowed, and was always spurred on by an admiring, laughing audience. He was my constant companion for almost 15 years. We traveled together, moved to western Massachusetts, endured boyfriends and a husband together (Willy outlasted them all!) Willy left this world on May 16, 2010. I feel so lucky that I got to have such a great dog for 15 years. Thank you for your great work, BARC. It seems impossible right now that I will be able to open my heart to another dog, but when and if that day comes, I'll see you in Brooklyn. Best wishes - Mary S.
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We recently adopted Stanley (aka Graham), and he immediately made himself at home. He loves belly rubs and being picked up and scratched. He is one of the friendliest cats ever. He comes when you call him and runs to the door to greet any company. He also is a fantastic jumper. I’ve nick named him popcorn. He is also a talented bug hunter. Thanks Barc for introducing us to our new best friend.
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I’ve been volunteering in the BARC cat loft since ’05. In ’07, I adopted 4-year-old Esmeralda, a beautiful calico who was very shy. I was told she was semi-feral but on my weekly visits, I noticed a glimmer of interest whenever I went to pet her—she’d circle her cage, then come back to my hand for more! When I got her home, she hid for awhile, gradually venturing out more and more. While she hit it off with my other cat and dog, I was the one who got most of the attention--she snuggled on my pillow at night, purring away…so much for feral! When my cat Alvin passed away, I adopted one-year-old JoJo (Gibson at BARC), who’d been found as a stray. He too was considered feral, but it only took him a couple of days to learn to appreciate tummy rubs and bedtime snuggling. I have to share his attentions with Esme--they play like kittens, she washes his face and then they settle down for cuddle-fests. I call them my “BARC cats in love”. So if you meet a fearful shelter cat, remember that with a little patience and love, he or she can easily become the most affectionate creature ever! And a big shout-out to BARC—you’re the greatest for giving creatures of all ages, dispositions, and infirmities a chance for a “forever” home. - Mary
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I adopted Bush from BARC a few weeks ago. I immediately renamed him "Emilio" and he's turned out to be the greatest cat I've ever owned. He's extremely playful and entertaining, yet is also extremely affectionate. We have another cat named Samson at the apartment - Samson took a few days to get used to Emilio, and now they alternatively lounge around and play wrestle 24/7. As I type this email, Emilio is asleep on my lap. Thanks! - Dan
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I have always believed that things happen for a reason and we believe Tess (formerly Taz) was meant for us. My daughter Leona had been begging me for a dog for two years. We looked everywhere, but couldn't find the small dog that my daughter wanted. Then I found the BARC website. I drove around looking for it but couldn't find it. It would be a month before I found the location and the rest is history. We fell in love with Tess the moment we saw her. She rarely sleeps in her bed and splits her nights between Leona and myself. Leona loves Tess and let’s her know every day how happy she is we found her. Tess loves to run and play in the park and her favorite toy is a stuffed squirrel. We love her and plan to have her in our lives for many years to come. Thank you BARC. - Felicia, Leona and Tess.
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Thanks BARC for introducing us to our new cat, Nora (aka Jocasta at BARC). She got off to a bumpy, scared start in her new home, but quickly acclimated to her surroundings and to her new brother and sister (former strays themselves). Nora is the cuddliest, nuzzliest and funniest cat. She has a ton of personality, is quite chatty, and is a fantastic addition to our home. We originally wandered into the shelter thinking of bringing home a kitten, but we could not be happier to have this lovely lady to hang out with. Thanks again! -- Amy & Dave
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Hi BARC Shelter, We adopted our dog Liefje from you many years ago, in 1998, when we were first married, and the shelter was still on North 9th St. In 1999, we found Tycho as a stray in McCarren Park and you guys helped us get him cleaned up and back to health. In 2002, we added Spooky the greyhound, from a rescue in MA. Later still, we added two kids to the family, Theo and Charlotte. The dogs are old now--especially Liefje and Tycho--and have slowed down a lot, but they still go everywhere with us and are our dear buddies. They've moved from Brooklyn to
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Hello BARC! It's been 3 months since we've adopted our little girl Shuba (was Candy Cane). She is the love of our life and an absolute sweetheart! Our other cat, her big brother Chin, loves her and they sleep and play together all the time. She was very shy at first, but now she's very happy and loves her new home and family. We just wanted to thank you again for giving us our little angel and thank you guys for all you do for the animals. You are true angels. -- Anastasia & Mark
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Dear friends at BARC--My girlfriend Heather and I were fairly regular volunteers at BARC. I was touched by all the sad stories there; dogs that were abused, dogs that were forced to fight, and dogs that had people who couldn't afford to keep them. One particular story that hit us was that of a little 3 year old brown mutt named Salvatore. From what I understand, Sal was found as a puppy on the streets and was taken to animal control wherehe would have been euthanized in a matter of a few weeks. He was rescued by BARC, and then adopted by a girl who's boyfriend was abusive to him. After two years, the boyfriend took him to a kill shelter without any ID or papers. Thankfully, he was microchipped and BARC brought him back to the shelter just as we started volunteering. Circumstances changed, and we had to move out of Williamsburg, but we knew we weren't going to go alone. We were going to take Sal with usSal has changed our lives in so many wonderful ways. We watched all those years of abuse slowly fade away. We watched him change from being a frightened and somewhat paranoid dog into one who's starting to love strangers and who gets excited when the doorbell rings and new people arrive. He loves being off leash in the woods or hanging with other dogs at the dog park. When we took Sal home that August day, he went crazy when I opened his cage door. He knew immediately that he was going home. He nearly knocked me over he was so excited. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts for saving Sal (twice!) and keeping our best friend safe until we came along. You guys rock. -- Mathew and Heather
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I came to BARC about a week ago to look at the cats. I was very undecided about this choice since I've been a dog person for the last 50 years. After putting my beloved dog to sleep in 2006, at age 15, my husband and I were ready for another pet. We decided to adopt an adult cat because I wasn't sure I could handle a kitten. The woman wat BARC directed me straight to Dip-n- Dots who is now called Dexter. We brought him home and we couldn't believe how at home he was. There was no adjustment at all. It was like he's lived here all his life. He loves people and he loves to talk. I think he really knows he's found his forever home. Whoever abandoned him I want to say thank you. Your loss was really our gain. We love Dexter and we know he loves us too -- Madeline and Louie
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 Dear BARC--I wanted to send you an update on Teddy (formerly "Blue"). We have since relocated from Brooklyn to Pennsylvania and he is enjoying the extra space! He also loves hanging with his Pug cousins and meeting his Grandpa's Shiba Inu at the dog park. But most of all, he has proven to be quite the mama's boy and loves nothing more than hanging at my feet or snuggling next to me under the covers. The best (and funniest) part of my day is pulling into my parking space after a long day of work and seeing this face at my front window waiting for me - every time - without fail. Then he knocks over my lamp running to greet me! Thank you BARC for rescuing my Teddy when things weren't looking so good for him. He is so different now from the shy, sad, cage-stressed boy I met that first day. Now, you'd never know he is almost ten! He's like a smiling, happy puppy again.Thank you again for finding me the best friend a girl could have! --Christie
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I wanted to let you know how much we enjoy Annabelle, who we adopted from BARC in August 2005. She loves to sit in the front window and watch the birds as all of her human admirers walk by. She is still not a lap cat and may never be, but we respect her preferences and enjoy having her sit next to us on the couch or sleep at the foot of my bed just about every night. I can’t imagine how we ever lived without her and when I told this to my 12-year-old daughter she replied, “We were half-dead before we got her.” - Christine
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Dear BARC--
Our family adopted Taylor and Yoshi (was Benji) two years apart from Barc. They have both settled in beatifully and are a source of constant laughter in our house. Taylor takes up the whole couch when he naps and Yoshi sleeps under the covers. Taylor's skill is stealing food when you're not looking and Yoshi fetches like a champ. Taylor the Weimaraner thinks he's a lapdog and Yoshi the Chihuahua thinks he's the same size as the Weimaraner. We're lucky to have them both.
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Hello BARC! -- We just wanted to thank you once again for helping us form our wonderful family. We brought 7 year-old Toughie (once Oreo) home in early summer but it became quickly evident that this once abandoned cat wanted a sibling to play with and pass on his knowledge of being a wack. We easily found room in our home and hearts for 6 week-old Alonzo (once Jay Leno). They took to each other instantly have been
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We adopted Mullein and Morgan (formerly Milk Thistle) from BARC several years ago. This mom--daughter duo had been abandoned in a shoe box and they had already spent five months at the shelter. Yet it didn't take them long to feel right at home in our laps, beds, on the couches etc. So, fast forward and they are still happy, healthy ladies. They are two of the friendliest, cuddliest cats imaginable and our friends often threaten to kidnap them. But since they have become such an integral part of our family, we certainly won't let that happen. All these years later, we still owe the greatest gratitude to BARC for bringing Mullein and Morgan into our lives, they always have been and will always be a great joy. Thank you! --Roxie
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Everything happens for a good reason.
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Then, one night she hopped into my bed. Little by little she warmed up to people, and now she is a Cuddle Monster. We ended up calling her "Little Cat," and she is the sweetest ever. Her co-adoptee, Stilt, has since passed away, and I'm so happy to have L.C. still with me! Her favorite game is to bring me her toys to throw for a game of fetch. -- Luci
. I took care of him and he took care of me. It was the best kind of dog and human love story.
Vermont to the suburbs of New York. They've cleaned up a lot of food dumped on the floor by little ones. They've done a lot of traveling. It's a bit snug in the back of our old Honda CR-V, but they're always glad to hop in (or be lifted in, now that they're older). We love them and will always love you guys and wish you the best. -- Kirsten , David and family 
inseparable ever since. They play all day, snuggle in the sun together and share our pillows at night. They are true lap cats and will purr contentedly for hours of brushing, petting and kisses. My fiance and I have so much to be thankful for this year, but what we are most proud of is the warm, loving, happy home that we share with these goofy little children. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping bring so much love and happiness into our lives.--Stephen 
