These numbers tell the
story. Together we can
create a happier ending.

The BISSELL Pet Foundation has focused its mission on saving the lives of innocent pets nationwide. The statistics are heart-breaking, but our efforts can make a difference. Read on to learn more about the specific needs we’ve targeted for action.

Adoption gives homeless pets a second chance.

• Only 20 to 30 percent of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues.*
• Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.*

Spay/neuter programs save lives.

• Every year, 3 million to 4 million rejected cats and dogs – of all ages and breeds – are euthanized in the U.S. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.*
• Only ten percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.*

Microchipping keeps beloved pets
from becoming statistics

• Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.*
• It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States; estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.*

Foster homes provide a nurturing environment
for special-needs pets.

Out of the millions of animals that enter shelters each year, there are many that deteriorate quickly in a kennel environment. Some pets, due to age or illness, need a respite away from the shelter where they can be nurtured and cared for by loving volunteers while they await their forever home. Housing these animals elsewhere also frees space in shelters to save even more homeless pets in need.

Foster families can make a hands-on difference in the lives of:

• Nursing mothers with litters
• Orphaned puppies and kittens
• Senior pets who have special medical needs
• Injured and ill pets who require individualized care
• Shy pets who do not thrive in a kennel environment