DAVENPORT, IOWA (September 22, 2023) — Our nation’s animal shelters are in crisis due to increased owner surrenders and stray intakes, spiking post-pandemic euthanasia rates across the country. Animal intakes at both public and private shelters are expected to reach a three-year high this year, and adoptions or returns to owners are not keeping pace, according to the Shelter Animals Count database. With lives on the line, BISSELL Pet Foundation is once again prompting a national call for adoption with its Fall National “Empty the Shelters” reduced-fee adoption event.
To support our nation’s animal shelters and help pets find loving homes, BISSELL Pet Foundation is hosting its Fall National "Empty the Shelters" reduced-fee adoption event, October 1–15, 2023. This effort has helped nearly 190,000 pets find loving homes, making "Empty the Shelters" the largest funded adoption event in the country. An average of 1,225 pets are adopted each day of these quarterly national events. During each nationwide event, BISSELL Pet Foundation sponsors reduced adoption fees so shelters can charge $50 or less to take deserving pets from kennels to the couches of loving homes. "Empty the Shelters" will be hosted at 345+ organizations in 42 states.
Click here for an interactive map: bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters/.
Note: Not every shelter is participating for the full event. Potential adopters are encouraged to visit the “Empty the Shelters” website to find the nearest participating shelter and confirm their adoption day details.
BISSELL Pet Foundation was founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell. “Empty the Shelters” is the nation’s largest funded adoption event and has helped nearly 190,000 pets find homes across the country and in Canada since its inception in 2016. “Empty the Shelters” provides reduced adoption fees at shelters, typically ranging from $0 to $50 per animal adoption. Each participating organization has their own adoption process and requirements. This is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s first “Empty the Shelters” event collaboration with MetLife Pet Insurance. Our nation’s shelters need your support. Please consider fostering or donating if you unable to add a pet to your family. Visit www.BISSELLPetFoundation.org/Empty-The-Shelters for more information.
