Visit the Empty the Shelters page to see a list and map of participating organizations.

BISSELL Pet Foundation does not have a shelter or animals available for adoption. We fund shelters across the country.

We are a small team, and unfortunately, do not have the resources to assist with individual requests. However, there are many breed-specific rescues that can be located by a Google search for “[breed] rescue, [state].” You can also work with your local humane society or animal shelter for assistance locating the type of pet you are looking for.

Almost every breed you can think of can be found for adoption!

You are required to pay up to a $25 adoption fee during Empty the Shelters. You are also responsible for paying any dog licensing fees (varies by county).

Stay tuned on Facebook for the next ETS announcement! We are continuing to expand this event and love to receive recommendations of areas that could benefit. Please email your recommendation of city/state to info@bissellpetfoundation.org.

Each participating shelter chooses which pets will participate in Empty the Shelters; we do not limit due to age, breed, etc. Because older dogs and cats are often overlooked for puppies, many shelters choose to use this event to bring exposure to the dogs and cats that have been with them the longest – giving the older pets the chance to find their forever home.

Some locations will have puppies available, but you would need to contact them to find out. Puppies tend to go quickly though at all locations, so we encourage you to adopt early if you are considering a specific puppy!

You must contact the participating shelter to complete their adoption application. You do not need to register with BISSELL Pet Foundation, just the shelter.

Please visit the website of the participating organization to view their available pets – a list of participating locations can be found on the Empty The Shelters page.

Event time varies by location – visit the Empty The Shelters page to view locations & event times.

“Pre-approval” means you must complete an adoption application and be approved to adopt prior to Empty the Shelters. Please contact the organization you wish to adopt from for more information.

We encourage you to apply at each shelter – each location can have a different application process, and you’ll want to make sure to fulfill those requirements so you’ll be all set for the event.

Rental checks are the process of confirming if your landlord will allow you to have a pet in your home. If you are a homeowner, some shelters/rescues will ask for proof of homeownership. This is to ensure that your pet will not be returned due to rental restrictions.

Vet checks are the process of confirming that your current pets are up-to-date on vaccines, and/or that you have a veterinary relationship in place to ensure that your newly adopted pet is kept happy and healthy.