Cathy Bissell is the Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation and a national leader in animal welfare, known for advancing prevention-based solutions that address the root causes of pet homelessness.
Since founding the organization in 2011, she has led the development of national programs focused on adoption, transport, crisis and disaster, and spay/neuter access, helping to reduce shelter intake and improve outcomes for pets across the United States and beyond.
Her approach has always been to find out why existing systems aren’t working — and then build ones that do.
Through this lifesaving work, Cathy and BISSELL Pet Foundation have impacted the lives of more than one million pets nationwide.
Behind the programs, the partnerships, and the national reach, there was one dog that changed everything.
In 2008, Cathy adopted a six-year-old black lab named Bear from her local humane society — her first adopted pet. Bear had been surrendered when his family brought home a new puppy and no longer had time for him. Despite his past, he was gentle, regal, and immediately at home with Cathy’s family.
But Bear’s impact went far beyond her home. His story raised a deeper question: how many other healthy, adoptable pets were entering shelters simply because of circumstances beyond their control? And how many would keep entering unless something changed?
Cathy often reflects that she wishes she had adopted sooner. But Bear’s story stayed with her — and led her to found BISSELL Pet Foundation. What began as a desire to help more animals grew into a leading national organization tackling pet homelessness from every angle.
Prevention is the defining priority of BISSELL Pet Foundation today. We cannot adopt our way out of this problem.
By expanding access to spay and neuter services, the Foundation is working to reduce the number of pets who ever need to enter a shelter at all. Because lasting progress means not only finding homes for pets — but building a system that keeps them from becoming homeless in the first place.
