BULLHEAD CITY – Come explore the brand-new Bullhead City Animal Resource Center (BARC) before its furry friends officially move in! The City of Bullhead City invites everyone to tour the completed facility and see the culmination of the multi-year project first-hand.
The public will have the opportunity to tour the facility at 2435 Miracle Mile during the following open house hours:
* Wednesday, June 17, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
* Thursday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
* Thursday, June 18, from noon to 2 p.m.
* Thursday, June 18, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The tours will be the community’s only opportunity to explore the entire facility before animals begin moving into the building. Once operations begin, many areas of the shelter will be restricted to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the animals in the City’s care.
“The Bullhead City Animal Resource Center represents years of planning, investment, and community support,” said Bullhead City Public Information Officer Mackenzie Covert. “This facility was designed to provide and improve upon the pet resources needed to serve our growing community for decades to come. We are excited to open the doors and share it with the public.”
The transformation of the former Mohave Valley Daily News building into the Bullhead City Animal Resource Center began in 2024 after years of working with the community to envision a modern facility that would transcend the standard services provided by the shelter. The new state-of-the-art animal resource center will provide animal care, pet adoption, veterinary services, community education, and more.
“This project didn’t just happen on its own,” said BARC Manager Alyson Harms. “The animals in our care truly depend on community support, and it’s thanks to the generous contributions of community sponsors like Swanty’s of Bullhead City and many others that this project is a reality.”
The approximately 27,000-square-foot facility includes expanded dog kennels, cat housing areas, adoption and visitation spaces, improved animal intake facilities, dedicated quarantine areas, a dog wash station, and modern workspaces for shelter staff and volunteers.
One of the center’s most significant future additions will be an on-site veterinary clinic. The facility includes a dedicated space for a full-service veterinary practice capable of serving both shelter animals and the community. The City is actively recruiting a veterinarian to lead the program. Once a veterinarian has been hired and the clinic is fully equipped and operational, the space will open and begin accepting patients.
BARC also features a new pet cremation center designed primarily to serve pet owners experiencing the loss of a beloved companion. While the shelter maintains a no-kill philosophy and currently achieves a save rate of approximately 97 percent, City officials recognized the need for local end-of-life services that allow residents to honor their pets close to home.
Another unique feature of the facility is Rescue Retail, a small pet supply store located inside BARC. The store offers collars, leashes, toys, custom engraved identification tags, and other pet accessories designed to help adopters leave with the supplies needed to give their new pets a successful start.
Rescue Retail will be open during the public tours, providing visitors with an opportunity to support the Animal Resource Center while shopping for their own pets.
The City encourages all residents, animal lovers, and community supporters to attend the open house and see firsthand how the new Animal Resource Center will improve animal welfare services in Bullhead City.
“You can help us make a difference in the lives of our animals,” said Harms. “We’re always in need of more forever homes, pet fosters, volunteers, and sponsors.”
Additional information about BARC, adoption services, volunteer, and sponsor opportunities can be found at bullheadcityaz.gov/BARC.
