Adopt cats at Empty the Shelter events

Wouldn’t It Be Great If We Could Find a Home For Every Pet?

Maggie Marton | April 30, 2018

“Wouldn’t it be great if we could find a home for every pet? The world would be a better place if all the shelters were empty.” We have always believed that every pet deserves a loving, safe and healthy home, but it wasn’t until we found out about the BISSELL Empty the Shelters program that we actually thought it was possible!

That’s why we joined forces with the BISSELL Pet Foundation this year to support their Empty the Shelters event on May 5. As a sponsor, we are donating a whopping 2,500 bags of food so each pet can have a healthy start. On this incredible day, BISSELL will cover all of the adoption fees for every pet adopted from participating shelters.  It’s a life changing day for every pet adopted and their new family, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.

Announcement for Empty the SheltersEmpty the Shelters strives to help families find their forever pet by encouraging them to choose adoption first. Nationwide, approximately 2.7 million pets are euthanized each year because they can’t find homes. And right now, only 23% of dogs and 31% of cats in family homes come from an animal shelter or humane society. One reason people don’t adopt is the cost associated, so BISSELL is clearing the way for more pets to be adopted into forever homes!

During the April 2017 Empty the Shelters event, more than 1,500 animals were adopted from 66 shelters, humane societies and rescue groups in Michigan alone. Nearly 20 shelters were completely emptied by the end of the day Saturday.

This year, BISSELL Pet Foundation announced its Empty the Shelters program is expanding and their events will take place in 13 states. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based nonprofit will pay all adoption fees at 111 shelters and rescue organizations across the country. Adoptive families will receive an AdoptBox filled with a five-pound bag of pet food donated by Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food, treats, toys, valuable wellness information, and coupons for new pet owners--all to help the new pets settle in with their new families.

And to create an even larger impact, shelters and rescues taking part in Empty the Shelters are required to partner with other animal welfare organizations to help fill the empty spaces once pets have been adopted. That means when you adopt during this event, you are not just saving one animal, but two!

To learn more about Empty the Shelters, learn about adoption requirements or to find a participating shelter or rescue near you, check out https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters/.

It’s going to be an incredible day, so get out there, spread the word and adopt!