Adoption Olympics

Houston's BARC goes for the gold in Rachael Ray's national pet adoptionchallenge

Annise Parker took to her mayoral podium with Mindy the dog to kick off one of the most competitive events this Olympics season — the ASPCA Rachael Ray Challenge to arrange 2,100 pet adoptions by the end of October for a $100,000 grand prize grant.

After years of struggle and controversy, BARC soared through April's voter-based qualifying heat to be one of only 50 adoption centers in the nation to chase that sweet ASPCA cash.

“BARC is taking its effort to save Houston’s homeless animals to a whole new level," said Parker. "There is no reason Houston shouldn’t win this competition.”

On Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., the Houston animal shelter will host a special Adoption Olympics event to offer a day of festivities that includes contests, door prizes and more than 400 "gold medal-worthy" cats and dogs available at reduced fees.

Be sure not to miss what sounds like the highlight of the weekend — the 1 p.m. opening ceremonies, parade of "athletes" and torch-lighting ceremony.

“BARC has taken incredible strides since its 2009 transformation. I am so proud of the staff and volunteers who have built it into what it is today,” Parker said in a statement. “BARC is taking its effort to save Houston’s homeless animals to a whole new level. There is no reason Houston shouldn’t win this competition.”

Representatives for BARC explained that if the organization wins the Rachael Ray challenge, it will dedicate the grant to securing a mobile adoption vehicle to better orchestrate the organization's weekend adoption events, all of which are currently limited to indoor climate-controlled sites within the 610 loop.

“We are excited that BARC is at a point where it can compete in a competition of this magnitude,” said Alfred Moran, director of the the city's regulatory affairs office, which oversees the animal agency. “Now we have staff and volunteers that work hard to improve BARC every single day and a community that stands firmly behind us. I have no doubt that we can win this.”

"This is Houston’s chance to prove that we can be the live-saving capital of the nation," exclaimed Parker.

The Adoption Olympics will be held at BARC's headquarters at 3200 Carr Street. At the event, dogs can be adopted for $20 and cats for $10. Throughout the competition, which ends Oct. 31, regular adoption fees will be cut in half, with dogs available for $37.50 and cats for $15.

finally inside the loop

Aggie favorite chicken fingers spot claims 3rd Houston-area outpost — and first inside the Loop

Layne's Chicken Fingers Katy food

Photo by Becca Wright

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An Aggieland favorite is coming to the River Oaks area. Layne’s Chicken Fingers has claimed the former KFC location at 2359 S Shepherd Dr.

Expected to open in late 2023, it will offer both dine-in and drive-thru service. The new restaurant will be the College Station-based establishment’s third Houston-area outpost, joining a Katy location that opened in 2021 and a Garden Oaks location that opened in February.

Layne's Chicken Fingers Carlos Martinez Masroor Fatany Geoff Herbert Carlos Martinez, franchisee Masroor Fatany, and Geoff Herbert.Courtesy of Layne's Chicken Fingers

The restaurant will serve Layne's tightly focused menu of chicken tenders, chicken tender sandwiches, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, potato salad, and milkshakes. All of its self-described "Soon to be Famous" chicken fingers are cut by hand, marinated, and breaded on-site. They can be paired with one of four dipping sauces: Layne’s Secret Sauce, described as "the perfect blend of tangy, spicy, zesty, and peppery flavors;" buttermilk ranch; barbecue; and honey mustard.

“After a wildly successful opening in the Heights, it only made sense to expand to the eclectic Montrose neighborhood,” Layne’s partner Matt O’Reilly said in a statement. “This is our first location inside the loop and we are so excited to see our restaurant expand to even more chicken lovers.”

Layne’s comes to Houston via Texas A&M alum Masroor Fatany, who also owns seven locations of The Halal Guys across the Houston area.

“This location will mark a major step for the Layne’s legacy,” Fatany added. “The demand, which was already high, has only grown ever since we opened our Heights location, so bringing Layne’s to Montrose is going to allow us to bring our delicious chicken to customers throughout Houston.”

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