Recently, the BISSELL Pet Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for the care of 50 animals in their innovative Pets for Life Program. Using a community outreach approach, the HSUS provides critically-needed pet care services to low-income communities.

Miss Betty – HSUS

Miss Betty is one recipient of these services.  She lives on a fixed income in North Philadelphia, a target neighborhood for the Pets for Life program. For many years she had been feeding and providing whatever medical care she could for the stray cats in her neighborhood, but unfortunately they continued to breed. Even though Miss Betty was an animal lover and long-time advocate, she lacked access to even the most basic pet services. When HSUS offered to help to cover the costs of spaying and neutering her dogs, an amazing relationship was born. Miss Betty became a one woman outreach team, helping to refer her neighbors on a daily basis, amounting to more than 200 pets so far! Through The HSUS, Miss Betty is now a resource to initiate change in her community and share information to loving pet owners who have long gone unseen by the animal welfare community.

From January through June, the Pets for Life program has provided:

• free spay/neuter to 6505 pets that would have not been serviced without intervention
• food/supplies/vaccines to an additional 23,333 low-income pets

These under-served neighborhoods represent millions of unaltered pets. By closing this gap, we can decrease unplanned litters that drive the cycle of homeless pets. With your continued support, we can keep pets in their homes and reduce the influx of animals brought into shelters and rescues.

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.