Animal Friends, a rescue group located in Pennsylvania, has a core mission to stop pet overpopulation and unwarranted euthanasia. They accomplish this through spay/neuter programs, outreach, education, therapeutic programming, and advocating on behalf of animals in crisis. Through the generous $2,000 contribution from the BISSELL Pet Foundation, Animal Friends was able to alter 40 of their adoptable animals – 20 dogs and 20 cats – ensuring more animals don’t end up in their shelter.

Taco was rescued from a hoarding situation. Unfortunately, his owner had not spayed or neutered any of their pets.  Taco saw his space and his portion of food get smaller and smaller as more and more kittens were born. When Animal Friends rescued Taco and his companions, they were fearful of people and nervous about new situations due to their lack of human contact, common in hoarding situations. When Taco and his companions came to Animal Friends, they were able to spay/neuter the cats which provided both health and behavioral benefits. Now, Taco no longer feels the need to roam to find a mate or spray to mark his territory. He doesn’t want to fight other male cats or feel aggression towards humans. He is now an adoptable cat without the negative behaviors of an unneutered male.

Just one unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 97,000 puppies in only seven years. In this same time period, one female cat and her offspring can produce an incredible 420,000 kittens!¹ With the $2,000 grant from the BISSELL Pet Foundation, Animal Friends will have prevented 40 dogs and cats from reproducing this overwhelming number of offspring in their lifetimes.

About the BISSELL Pet Foundation

The BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters and to support organizations dedicated to the humane care and treated of animals through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. The foundation is supported to BISSELL Homecare, Inc., a 137-year-old Grand Rapids-based floor care appliance brand in its fourth generation of family leadership.

1.ASPCA, http://www.aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/petfix-top-10-reasons.pdf , accessed January 29, 2015