GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (October 26, 2023) — BISSELL Pet Foundation announced 19,415 pets found loving homes during its Fall National "Empty the Shelters" reduced-fee adoption event from October 1–15, 2023. More than 345 organizations in 42 states participated in the nation's largest-funded adoption event by offering reduced adoption fees of $50 or less to make adoption more affordable and help as many pets as possible go from shelter kennels to the couches of loving homes.
Many of our nation's animal shelters remain at critical capacity and face the heartbreaking decision to euthanize healthy, adoptable pets due to lack of space. BISSELL Pet Foundation's Fall National "Empty the Shelters" event brought pets and families together, creating lifesaving space and critical relief for hardworking shelter staff and volunteers. As a result, 10,077 cats and 9,338 dogs found loving homes through participating shelters.
"BISSELL Pet Foundation is thrilled to have helped thousands of pets find homes during a time when our nation's shelters are struggling to keep up with pet intakes," said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Each adopter who brought home a pet during this event made a lifesaving difference."
BISSELL Pet Foundation's "Empty the Shelters" program provides funding to participating shelters for each pet adopted so the reduced fee of $50 or less is not a financial burden for their organization. Reduced fees generate more interest from adopters providing a much-needed boost to save lives. Since the inception of this program in 2016, "Empty the Shelters" has helped find homes for nearly 210,000 pets and counting. Held quarterly, this is the foundation's largest initiative and continues to grow to reach more shelters and save more lives each year.
Every adoption is worth celebrating. However, there were a few especially heartwarming adoptions during the Fall National "Empty the Shelters" event:
- Hank, a two-year-old deaf Chihuahua, was surrendered to Muskegon Humane Society in Muskegon, Michigan, after changes in his household. He knew hand-signal commands and loved meeting new people, playing fetch, and even riding in a backpack. Hank waited over a month before his new family drove across the state to adopt him during this event.
- King George, a handsome senior cat with diabetes, was transferred to Humane Society of Sarasota County in Sarasota, Florida, from another organization due to needing advanced medical care. He received the TLC he desperately needed and became a part of the shelter's lifelong care program, covering his diabetes management costs after his adoption. He found a wonderful home during "Empty the Shelters" after months of waiting.
- Four cats, Blossoms, Shaggy, Web, and Charlotte, were adopted from Laurel Jones County Animal Rescue, Laurel, Mississippi, League. These four lucky cats will spend the rest of their days in the love and care of The Baptist Children's Home, where residents will cherish them.
- Rocco, a stunning pitbull mix, was a staff favorite at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue in West Palm Beach, Florida. Overlooked due to his size, Rocco waited 318 days before his new family finally found him during "Empty the Shelters."
BISSELL Pet Foundation and participating organizations urge families to research the pet they are interested in adopting and the adoption requirements. To find a participating organization near you or donate to support Empty the Shelters, visit bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters.
About BISSELL Pet Foundation:
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501©(3) non-profit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 6,000 shelters and rescues across the US and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Inc where every purchase saves pets. To learn more or make a lifesaving donation, visit bissellpetfoundation.org.
