The City of Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care, better known as BARC, will soon separate from the city’s Health and Human Services department. It could become a free-standing agency, part of another department, or even returned to health department’s control, after a reorganization.This is a change that animal activists and some council members have long waited for.

The mayor’s decision came just a day before City Council’s consideration of a $135,000, five-month contract with corporate turn-around consultant Gerry Fusco. The city hired him to recommend changes to BARC, and he has been working without a contract for the last month under a $49,500 purchase order. Mayor White said the move will help to reform BARC while another nationwide search is conducted to find a new director to replace Ray Sim, who was in the job for two months before being fired in early July.

BARC has long been under immense scrutiny with allegations of animal abuse and neglect as well as criticism for its high rate of euthanasia. Critics blame under-careing staff, poor management and inadequate adoption and spay/neuter programs.

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