Oklahoma Rescue Saves 1,000+ Pets in 10 Years

When most rescues turn away the hard cases, BARC Rescue in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma opens its doors wider.

For 10 years, this volunteer-run nonprofit has made a promise to pets that need more time, more healing, and more hope. Since 2017, they've saved over 1,000 animals that were unwanted, abused, or abandoned.

Founder Jamie Cope built BARC around a simple idea: the pets who need help most shouldn't be left behind. Unlike many shelters, BARC takes on rehabilitation cases that require weeks or months of recovery. Every animal goes into a foster home instead of a kennel, giving them the stable environment they need to heal.

The numbers tell the story of steady, patient work. In 2025 alone, BARC found homes for 74 pets.

Earlier this winter, the rescue got a call that showed exactly why this work matters. A mother dog and her puppies had been abandoned in a house with no electricity, no heat, and no food. BARC moved fast, coordinating foster families to take in the entire family just before a snowstorm hit. Every single dog made it to safety, warmth, and full bellies.

The Ripple Effect

BARC's model creates change beyond the animals they save directly. By taking on difficult cases, they free up space at other shelters for different pets. Their network of foster families grows each year, spreading knowledge about animal care throughout the community. And every adoption proves that patience pays off, even the dogs who needed extra time find their people.

The rescue runs entirely on volunteers and donations. Right now, they need foster families, supplies like towels and sheets, and financial support to keep their doors open.

This Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., BARC will host an adoption event at Hollywood Feed near 91st Street and Yale Avenue in Tulsa. It's a chance to meet the dogs waiting for homes and learn how to help.

A decade in, BARC keeps proving the same truth: every animal deserves someone who won't give up on them.