GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — During the first week of October, 4,935 cats and 4,515 dogs found loving homes during the nation’s largest funded adoption event, BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters. The Foundation’s fall national event took place at 260 shelters in 41 states where pets were available for adoption through sponsored adoption fees of $50 or less.
BISSELL Pet Foundation provided additional support to shelters that took in pets from Florida or were over capacity by offering extended events in several locations to ensure as many as possible were adopted. Empty the Shelters is a proven success for participating organizations and has become a critical component to lifesaving strategies for shelters across the country. and is incredibly important to our shelter partners. On average, 1,000 pets are adopted each day during national Empty the Shelters reduced-fee events.
“As shelters remain at and beyond capacity, our Empty the Shelters events continue to create lifesaving space in shelters throughout the country. On average, 1,000 pets are adopted each day during our national events,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “We are grateful to every participating shelter and adopter who helped pets find loving homes through this event.”
Shelters large and small throughout the country are experiencing increased length of stay for pets, as well as more owner surrenders due to financial challenges and housing restrictions. As BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest program, Empty the Shelters provides funding to participating shelters for each pet adopted, so the reduced fee of $50 or less is not a financial burden for the organization. This year, Empty the Shelters has helped 44,272 cats and dogs go from kennels to couches. The national event also brings awareness to the incredible pets waiting for their second chance in shelters, encouraging potential adopters to visit their local shelters to meet pets of all abilities, breeds and ages.
Empty the Shelters cannot continue growing without donor support. Every donation to BISSELL Pet Foundation is maximized and directly benefits pets in need. Because BISSELL Homecare Inc. is dedicated to helping pets, the company absorbs administrative costs for BISSELL Pet Foundation, enabling 100% of every contribution to fund adoptions through Empty the Shelters. To learn more and donate, visit bissellpetfoundation.org.
Learn more about Empty the Shelters or make a lifesaving donation by visiting bissellpetfoundation.org/ets.
About BISSELL Pet Foundation:
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501©(3) nonprofit 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 5,600 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Homecare, Inc. where every purchase saves pets. To learn more and donate, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.
About Empty the Shelters:
BISSELL Pet Foundation’s mission to find every pet a loving home is the driving force behind “Empty the Shelters.” In 2016, BISSELL Pet Foundation created this reduced-fee adoption event to make an immediate impact on the nation’s ongoing pet homelessness problem. Since then, this event has grown to be BISSELL Pet Foundation’s most prominent program and the country’s largest funded adoption event. To date, “Empty the Shelters” has helped find homes for 146,501 pets at 541 shelters in 47 states and Canada and provided more than $7.6 million in direct funding to shelter partners to support pet adoptions. For more information, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters.
With a goal of finding every pet a loving home, BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring Empty the Shelters set a new seasonal adoption record during the May 2022 event.
More than 29,000 shelter pets were impacted through adoption and transport during the nation’s largest funded adoption event.
