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Two women and young boy with dog

Adopted 2018

Our Programs

Empty the Shelters™

Empty Shelters = Lives Saved

Adoption saves two lives – the adopted pet and the one who takes their place in the shelter.

As the nation’s largest funded adoption event, Empty the Shelters helps homeless pets find families by making adoption affordable for prospective pet owners. We do this by supporting participating organizations with reimbursement for each pet adopted.

This lifesaving reduced-fee adoption event is a Win-Win-Win:

Adopters win because BPF pays the adoption fees allowing them to take home a fully vaccinated, microchipped and spayed or neutered pet who is ready to be loved for $50 or less (much more affordable than purchasing a pet!)
Shelters win because the pets they care about get a second chance when adoption fees are covered by BISSELL Pet Foundation.
And, most importantly, every pet wins by finding a loving home!

Events are held quarterly. Follow us on social media to see announcements for upcoming events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find a Shelter Near You Donate to Empty the Shelters

Empty the Shelters Impact Since 2016

574,400

Total Pets Impacted through Empty the Shelters

247,390

Adoptions Since 2016 through Empty the Shelters

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800

Participating Partners

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48

States + Canada

Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event.

How it Works

Woman holding a small tan puppy she adopted during Empty the Shelters

Shelters in 48 States and Canada

Hundreds of BPF shelter partners across the country participate to connect homeless pets with families.

Mother and two children holding two kittens adopted at Empty the Shelters

Pet Adoptions at a Reduced Fee

Thanks to BPF, adopters pay no more than $50 to adopt their new best friend who comes home spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

Boy and girl with a small dog adopted at Empty the Shelters

More Pets Find Loving Homes

Affordable adoption fees allow more pets to find homes opening lifesaving kennel space to allow shelters to save more lives.

Empty the Shelters National Media Coverage

Man, woman and Cathy Bissell with large dog adopted during Empty the Shelters event

Adopted 2018

What to Expect

Become a Participating Shelter!

white dog with tongue out wearing a bandana

100% of your donation will directly benefit pets in need.

Donate to Empty the Shelters