GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — On December 1, pet lovers will have the opportunity to adopt a pet for $20 and BISSELL Pet Foundation will sponsor the remaining cost at 81 participating organizations. Responding to overcrowding in shelters across the country, BPF added an additional Empty the Shelters event in 2018. The foundation hopes the December 1 event will help pets find loving homes and prevent shelters from making difficult decisions about the pets in their care.
Local shelters participating include Prince George County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Disputanta, VA and the Fredericksburg SPCA.
“Over the past six months, I have received urgent phone calls from shelter directors across the country saying that their shelters are more crowded than ever with fewer people coming to adopt,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “The problem is overwhelming. Shelters are full of wonderful family pets who have been surrendered for a variety of reasons, through no fault of their own, and deserve to be in homes. In response, BPF is holding an additional Empty the Shelters event to give these cats and dogs a chance at holiday hope in a forever home.”
BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters-Holiday Hope event will include shelters in 14 states, including two in Virginia. All adoptable pets available during Empty the Shelters will be microchipped and spayed/neutered. To see a list of all participating locations, hours of operation and adoption requirements, please visit bissellpetfoundation.org/ETS.
Many shelters require a preapproval process, which may require an in-person visit. Adopters are encouraged to get preapproved to ensure they can adopt on the day of the event. Often, pets are adopted in the week leading up to ETS, so BPF suggests if you meet the pet of your dreams when visiting in advance, you should consider adopting on the spot. Please be reminded that adopting a pet is a long-term commitment.
BPF’s last Empty the Shelters event on October 6 helped find homes for 3,290 pets.
If you’re not able to adopt, please consider supporting BISSELL Pet Foundation’s lifesaving work at bissellpetfoundation.org/donate.
About BISSELL Pet Foundation:
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Homecare, Inc. Up to $10 for every pet product purchased helps fund the foundation’s mission.
About BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
For more than 140 years, BISSELL Homecare, Inc. has developed innovative floor care solutions that make cleaning up after families and pets easier. BISSELL supplies households across the globe with many products that are specifically engineered with pet families in mind; offering solutions for stains, odors, pet shedding and accidents for those who love their pets, but not the mess. For more on the complete line of BISSELL products, visit www.bissell.com.
