BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Summer National Empty the Shelters™ Event

WHAT: BISSELL Pet Foundation is prompting a national call for adoption by hosting it’s Summer National Empty the Shelters™ event from July 8-31, 2024, at 390+ organizations in 4 states. This effort has helped more than 253,000 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.

WHEN: July 8-31, 2024

Participation dates vary by shelter. Potential adopters are encouraged to visit the Empty the Shelters website to find the nearest participating shelter and confirm adoption day details.

WHERE: 390+ shelters in 44 states

View our interactive map to see all participants. Please filter by state/zip code.

WHO: BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, is partnering with animal shelters across the country for its Summer National Empty the Shelters reduced-fee adoption event. By supporting participating organizations with reimbursement for each pet adopted, adoptive families pay no more than $50 to bring home a fully vaccinated, microchipped and spayed or neutered pet.

QUOTE: “Shelters are struggling with a variety of challenges right now - some are evacuating pets because of wildfires, tornadoes, or even loss of air conditioning in extreme heat, and others are overcrowded and having to euthanize highly adoptable pets to make space, a tragic situation," said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "BISSELL Pet Foundation's upcoming Summer National Empty the Shelters event is a crucial opportunity for people to make a real difference in their community through adoption. Every single adoption saves a life and creates space to save another. Please adopt and give a pet a chance it might otherwise not have. If you can't adopt, fostering saves lives when shelters are full. Deserving pets across the country are counting on all of us.”

INTERVIEWS: Each location is likely to have a spokesperson available for interviews prior to or during adoption events. Please contact the shelter closest to you to coordinate the details.

DETAILS: Below are some talking points and additional facts about BISSELL Pet Foundation:

BISSELL Pet Foundation was founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, and its work has touched the lives of more than 775,000 pets and counting.

Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event. More than 253,000 pets have found loving 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.

Overwhelmed shelters need community support. Get involved by adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating.

Although pets can feel like a gift in terms of the joy they bring to life, BISSELL Pet Foundation reminds prospective pet parents that adopting a pet is a long-term commitment.

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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, vaccinations, microchipping and emergency support. 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 6,000 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Inc. where every purchase saves pets. To learn more, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.