Until Every Pet Has a Home
Adoption saves two lives – the pet who is adopted, and the one who takes their place in the shelter. “Click on an event below to view the full recap
December 9 – 13, 2020
4,470 pets adopted - 8,940 lives saved
On December 9-13, BPF intended to bring holiday hope to homeless pets across the country with its Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope event. BPF supported 169 shelters in 34 states making it BPF’s largest event to date! Through this event, 4,470 homeless pets found forever homes for the holidays and 273 pets went into foster care, with intentions to become foster failures. Families had the opportunity to save a life by choosing adoption, fostering, or making a contribution to the ETS fund to continue BPF’s goal to find loving homes for shelter pets.
October 1 – 4, 2020
3,936 pets adopted - 7,872 lives saved
On October 1-4, BISSELL Pet Foundation teamed up with 160 shelter partners in 33 states to reduce adoption fees and find forever homes for 3,936 homeless pets during Empty the Shelters. Families had the opportunity to save a life by choosing adoption, foster or making a contribution to the ETS fund to continue BPF’s goal to find loving homes for shelter pets.
July 10 – 12, 2020
3,284 pets adopted - 6,568 lives saved
Over 3 days, BISSELL Pet Foundation partnered with 159 shelter and rescue organizations in 33 states to sponsor adoptable animals at a reduced adoption fee during Empty the Shelters. BISSELL Pet Foundation covers the cost of all adoptions except for $25. We’re proud to announce that 3,284 pets found furever homes – 1,946 cats and kittens and 1,338 dogs and puppies. In addition, 172 pets entered foster-to-adopt homes.
May 9 – 17, 2020
2,906 pets adopted - 5,812 lives saved
March 19 – April 8, 2020
3,325 pets adopted - 6,650 lives saved
December 13 – 14, 2019
3,504 pets adopted - 7,008 lives saved
BPF ended 2019 with another heartwarming Empty the Shelters event on December 13 and 14. With 121 organizations participating in 25 states, over 3,500 pets found loving homes just in time for the holidays. Cathy Bissell and the BPF team traveled to Detroit to highlight one of the many shelters in need with YouTube sensation, Rocky Kanaka.
October 12, 2019
3,585 pets adopted - 7,170 lives saved
On Saturday, October 12, BISSELL Pet Foundation set out to find homes for pets across the country. 131 organizations in 26 states participated in this Empty the Shelters adoption event, which resulted in 3,585 adoptions. Adopters paid $25 to adopt a pet who was microchipped, up-to-date on vaccines and spayed/neutered while BPF sponsored the remaining fees. On this special day, Cathy Bissell and her team hosted 10 Michigan area locations at BISSELL headquarters in Grand Rapids.
May 4, 2019
2,190 pets adopted - 4,380 lives saved
BISSELL Pet Foundation helped 2,190 find loving homes on Saturday, May 4, during its Empty the Shelters adoption event which took place in 20 states – including 4 new states. Adopters paid $25 to adopt a pet who is microchipped and spayed/neutered, and the foundation sponsored the remaining fees. 116 organizations across the country held Empty the Shelters events representing both urban and rural communities. Cathy Bissell and some team members traveled to shelters in the Detroit area to be apart of the action!
December 1, 2018
2,076 pets adopted - 4,152 lives saved
On December 1, animal lovers had the opportunity to adopt a pet and save a life for $20. BISSELL Pet Foundation sponsored the remaining adoption cost at 81 participating organizations in 14 states. This was the first Holiday Hope event, which brought 2,076 pets home, not only for the holidays, but forever. Founder, Cathy Bissell visited shelters in the Detroit area. Thank you for helping us prevent shelters from making difficult decisions about the pets in their care due to overcrowding.
October 6, 2018
3,350 pets adopted - 6,700 lives saved
On Saturday, October 6th BPF held its second national-scale Empty the Shelters adoption event of 2018. In less than 24 hours 3,350 pets found furever homes at over 101 shelters. Founder, Cathy Bissell, spent the day visiting shelters in Northern California with Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” Pet Expert, Larissa Wohl. We won’t stop Emptying the Shelters until every pet has a home.
Submit your pet’s adoption story for the chance to be featured on BISSELL Pet Foundation’s social media accounts!