"Freedom for All" Community March on July 4th

Barrio Dogs held its “Freedom for All” community march on July 4th in Hidalgo Park, an area that is especially hard hit with unwanted and neglected dogs. Father Salvatore DeGeorge from St. Patrick's Catholic Church said a blessing for all the suffering animals in the area and in particular for Grace, a homeless and sick German shepherd that died last month soon after she was rescued from the 8300 block of Navigation near the Ship Channel. News about Grace spread quickly via the internet and Barrio Dogs received many inquiries and offers to donate to her care from throughout the country as well as from Canada, England and Australia.

About 100 participants marched through the neighborhood, many of whom had never been in that part of Houston before. Barrio Dogs plans to return to this community to offer information and resources to the residents to help them take better care of their dogs.

Father Salvatore DeGeorge said a blessing for Grace and  the other suffering animals in the community

Grace, who was rescued from this area last month and died a few hours after her rescue. Her story captured the attention of people around the country who could not believe dogs live like this in a city as wealthy as Houston

A local resident (red shirt) joined us in the march after we passed by his house

Many dogs in this community live in awful conditions; the temperature during the march was in the mid 90's

Another chained dog; at least this one has shade