Past Events
0
Pets Adopted and Counting
0
States
Since May 2016
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
Holiday Hope
December 1, 2018
2,076 pets adopted - 4,152 lives saved
Holiday Hope
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.
2,076 pets adopted
4,152 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Arizona Humane Society
- Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA
- Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
- Haven Humane Society
- Hayward Animal Shelter
- Mendocino County Animal Care Services
- Solano County Sheriff’s Office Animal Care Division
- Animal Ark Rescue
- South Suburban Humane Society
- Winnebago County Animal Services
- Kentucky Humane Society
- Lawrence County (KY) Humane Society
- Lexington Humane Society
- Scott County Humane Society, Inc.
- Alcona Humane Society
- Almost Home Animal Rescue League
- Al-Van Humane Society
- AuCaDo Rescue Mid Michigan
- Barry County Animal Control
- Bay County Animal Control
- Blue Water Area Humane Society
- Charlevoix Area Humane Society
- Cheboygan County Humane Society
- Cooper’s Chance Animal Rescue
- Crash’s Landing
- Delta Animal Shelter
- Detroit Animal Care & Control
- Detroit Dog Rescue
- Eva Burrell Animal Shelter
- Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit
- Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control
- Genesee County Animal Control
- Harbor Humane Society
- Humane Animal Treatment Society
- Humane Society of Mid Michigan
- Humane Society of Midland County
- Humane Society of West Michigan
- Huron Humane Society Inc
- Ingham County Animal Control
- Ionia County Animal Control
- K9 Stray Rescue League
- Kent County Animal Shelter
- Lenawee Humane Society
- Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
- Livingston County Animal Control and Shelter
- Macomb County Animal Control
- Menominee Animal Shelter
- Michigan Humane Society
- Missaukee Humane Society
- Northwoods Animal Shelter
- Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center
- Ogemaw County Humane Society
- Pet Angel Adoption & Rescue
- Pound Buddies
- Sanilac County Humane Society
- Saving Cats & Kittens in Michigan
- Shiawassee County Humane Society
- SPCA of Southwest Michigan
- St. Clair County Animal Control
- Unleashed Love Pet Rescue
- Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter
- Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
- AnimalVILLAGENM
- Broome County Humane Society
- Chenango County SPCA
- Dutchess County SPCA
- Humane Society of Yates County
- Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue
- North Shore Animal League America, Inc.
- Posh Pets Rescue
- Ulster County SPCA
- True Friends Animal Welfare Center, Inc.
- Young-Williams Animal Center
- Texas Humane Heroes
- Prince George County Animal Services and Adoption Center
- Fredericksburg Regional SPCA
- Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin
- Lakeshore Humane Society
National
October 6, 2018
3,350 pets adopted - 6,700 lives saved
National
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.
3,350 pets adopted
6,700 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
Arizona
July 14, 2018 & August 4, 2018
1,134 pets adopted - 2,268 lives saved
Arizona
BISSELL Pet Foundation saw a tremendous need in Phoenix-area shelters after summer temperatures continued to rise, the area was affected by monsoons and hundreds of pets ran away post Fourth of July fireworks. The BPF team hosted not one, but two successful ETS events within a month saving a total of 1,134 lives. The first event on July 14, 2018 found 683 pets from Arizona Humane Society and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control a new home. On August 4, 2018, families chose adoption at Arizona Humane, MCACC and Arizona Animal Welfare League resulting in 451 pets barking farewell to shelter life!
1,134 pets adopted
2,268 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA
- Arizona Humane Society
- Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
National
May 5, 2018
3,135 pets adopted - 6,270 lives saved
National
May 5, 2018 was BPF’s first nationwide, free adoption day and included 113 organizations from 13 states. In just one day, 3,135 pets were adopted from New York to California and states in between with hundreds of pets transported to participating shelters for a second chance. People from coast to coast opened their hearts to adoption making thousands of happy ever afters for deserving pets.
3,135 pets adopted
6,270 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Adopt-A-Pet, Inc
- Alcona Humane Society
- Almost Home Animal Rescue League
- Al-Van Humane Society
- Animal Care Centers of NYC
- Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA
- Arizona Humane Society
- AuCaDo Rescue Mid Michigan
- Barry County Animal Control
- Bay County Animal Control
- Berkeley Humane Society
- Bottle Babies Rescue
- Broome County Humane Society
- Butte Humane Society
- Cannonsville Critters
- Capital Area Humane Society
- Cass County Animal Control
- Cat Tales Rescue
- Central New York SPCA
- Charlevoix Area Humane Society
- Cheboygan County Humane Society
- Cherryland Humane Society
- Chicago Animal Care and Control
- Clare County Animal Shelter
- Cober’s Canine Rescue
- Companion Cats, Inc.
- Copper Country Humane Society
- Delta Animal Shelter
- Detroit Animal Welfare Group
- Detroit Dog Rescue
- Do Only Good Animal Rescue
- Dutchess County SPCA
- Family Paws Rescue
- Fredericksburg Regional SPCA
- Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit
- Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control
- Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter
- Genesee County Animal Control
- Gladwin County Animal Shelter
- Greenbrier Humane Society
- Happy Hearts Feline Rescue
- Harbor Humane Society
- Haven Humane Society
- Hayward Animal Shelter
- Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven
- Humane Animal Treatment Society
- Humane Society of Huron Valley
- Humane Society of Mid Michigan
- Humane Society of Midland County
- Humane Society of Monroe County
- Humane Society of Sonoma County
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin
- Humane Society of Walden
- Humane Society of West Michigan
- Humane Society of Yates County
- Huron Humane Society of Alpena
- I Heart Dogs Rescue and Animal Haven
- Ingham County Animal Control
- Ionia County Animal Control
- Jackson County Animal Shelter
- Kalamazoo Animal Rescue
- Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association
- Kent County Animal Shelter
- Lakeshore Humane Society
- Last Hope, Inc.
- Lawrence County Humane Society
- Lenawee Humane Society
- Lexington Humane Society
- Livingston County Animal Control and Shelter
- Long Beach Humane Society
- Los Gatos Foster Animals
- Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue
- Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
- Macomb County Animal Control
- Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
- Mendocino County Animal Care Services
- Menominee Animal Shelter
- Michigan Humane Society
- Missaukee Humane Society
- Muskegon Humane Society
- Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
- Northwoods Animal Shelter
- Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center
- Otsego County Animal Shelter
- Pawz and Purrz Animal Rescue
- Pennsylvania SPCA
- Pet Angel Adoption & Rescue
- Pets in Need
- Posh Pets Rescue
- Pound Buddies Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
- Sacramento SPCA
- Sanilac County Humane Society
- Saugerties Animal Shelter
- Saving Cats & Kittens in Michigan
- Shiawassee Humane Society
- Solano County Sheriff’s Office Animal Care Division
- Sonoma County Animal Services
- South Suburban Humane Society
- SPCA of Tompkins County
- Start Over Rover
- Tanner’s P.A.W.S.
- Ten Lives Club
- True Friends Animal Welfare Center, Inc.
- Ulster County SPCA
- Unleashed Love Pet Rescue
- Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter
- Van Buren County Animal Control
- Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
- Young-Williams Animal Center
- Yuba County Animal Services
Pennsylvania SPCA
November 12, 2017
85 pets adopted - 170 lives saved
Pennsylvania SPCA
The Pennsylvania SPCA proved that just one day and one location can make a difference! On November 12, 2017, Empty the Shelters saved lives in Lancaster and made a big impact on the area’s homeless pet population. Families in the Lancaster community embraced the opportunity to adopt a furry friend and the pets happily received their first experience in a loving home!
85 pets adopted
170 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
Michigan
October 14, 2017
2,097 pets adopted - 4,194 lives saved
Michigan
On October 14, 2017, Empty the Shelters made tails wag across the Mitten State as thousands of pets started new lives in happy homes. 75+ shelters participated in BPF’s largest event to-date, breaking the record for a one-day adoption event. It was raining (cats and dogs!) but that didn’t stop families from coming out to save a life. Empty the Shelters adopters are confirming that “adoption is the best option” for families in Michigan.
2,097 pets adopted
4,194 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Adopt-A-Pet, Inc.
- Al-Van Humane Society
- Alcona Humane Society
- Almost Home Animal Rescue League
- Arenac County Animal Control
- AuCaDo Rescue Mid-Michigan
- Barry County Animal Shelter
- Bay County Animal Control
- Benzie County Animal Control
- Bottle Babies Rescue
- Broome County Humane
- Cannonsville Critters
- Capital Area Humane Society
- Cascades Humane Society
- Cass County Animal Control
- Cat Tales Rescue of Muskegon
- Charlevoix Area Humane Society
- Cheboygan County Humane Society
- Cherryland Humane Society
- Clare County Animal Shelter
- Cober’s Canine Rescue
- Companion Cats, Inc.
- Copper Country Humane Society
- Crash’s Landing
- Delta Animal Shelter
- Detroit Animal Welfare Group
- Do Only Good Animal Rescue
- Family Paws Rescue
- Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit
- Chicago Animal Care and Control
- Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control
- Genesee County Animal Control
- Gladwin County Animal Shelter
- Gratiot Animals in Need
- Harbor Humane Society
- Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue
- Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven
- Humane Animal Treatment Society
- Humane Society and Animal Rescue of Muskegon County
- Humane Society of Midland County
- Humane Society of Monroe County
- Humane Society of West Michigan
- Huron Humane Society Inc
- I Heart Dogs Rescue and Animal Haven
- Ingham County Animal Control
- Ionia County Animal Shelter
- Kalamazoo Animal Rescue
- Kent County Animal Shelter
- Lawrence County Humane Society
- Lenawee Humane Society
- Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
- Livingston County Animal Control and Shelter
- Los Gatos Foster Animals
- Macomb County Animal Control
- Manistee County Humane Society/Homeward Bound Animal Shelter
- Menominee Animal Shelter
- Michigan Humane Society
- Mid Michigan Humane Society
- Missaukee Humane Society
- New Hope Pet Rescue
- Newaygo County Animal Shelter
- Northwoods Animal Shelter
- Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center
- Ogemaw County Humane Society
- Otsego County Animal Shelter
- Pet Angel Adoption & Rescue
- Pet Tales Rescue
- Pound Buddies
- Sanilac County Humane Society
- Saving Cats & Kittens in Michigan
- Shiawassee Humane Society
- St Clair County Animal Control
- Unleashed Love Pet Rescue
- Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter
- Van Buren County Animal Control
- Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
Hurricane Relief
September 12-23, 2017
779 pets adopted - 1,558 lives saved
Hurricane Relief
Empty the Shelters made it possible for shelter pets from Texas and Florida to find homes after devastating hurricanes hit two U.S. coasts. Pets from those states, who had been in shelters prior to the storms, needed to be adopted to make room for owned pets displaced by the hurricanes. Special thanks to BISSELL for helping BPF cover the adoption fees for all pets at the 15 participating locations in six states! We are grateful for the shelters and adopters for saving these pets who had survived both homelessness and a hurricane!
779 pets adopted
1,558 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Coastal Pet Rescue
- Fredericksburg Regional SPCA
- FurEver Fosters
- Harbor Humane Society
- Humane Society of West Michigan
- Humane Society of Midland County
- Kentucky Humane Society
- Lexington Humane Society
- Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
- Mid Michigan Humane Society
- Muskegon Humane Society
- Cat
- Ulster County SPCA
- Van Buren County Animal Control
- Young-Williams Animal Center
New York
September 16, 2017
577 pets adopted - 1,154 lives saved
New York
From the Big Apple to Buffalo, Empty the Shelters helped pets across the Empire State get the second chance they deserve on September 16, 2017! This was BPF’s first event in New York State and the results were outstanding with 30+ shelters participating and families embracing the opportunity to adopt. It was a critical time to empty the state’s shelters to make room for pets who had been impacted by natural disasters in other parts of the country.
577 pets adopted
1,154 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Animal Care Centers of NYC
- Animalkind
- Anjellicle Cats Rescue
- Bideawee
- Broome County Humane
- Chenango County SPCA
- Clopon’s Safe Haven Rescue
- Central New York SPCA
- Dutchess County SPCA
- Empty Cages Collective
- Humane Society of Schuyler County
- Humane Society of Walden
- Humane Society of Westchester
- Humane Society of Yates County
- Last Chance Animal Rescue
- Last Hope, Inc.
- Long Beach Humane Society
- North Shore Animal League America, Inc.
- Pawz and Purrz Animal Rescue
- Posh Pets Rescue
- SPCA of Tompkins County
- SPCA Serving Erie County
- Tanner’s P.A.W.S.
- Ten Lives Club
- Town of Saugerties Animal Shelter
- Verona Street Animal Society
Phoenix, Arizona
July 22, 2017
950 pets adopted - 1,900 lives saved
Phoenix, Arizona
The temperatures were hot and the adoptions were even hotter when Empty the Shelters headed to the Valley of the Sun helping 1000+ pets make July 22, 2017, their “Gotcha Day.” Thanks to PetSmart Charities, who supported BPF to make an even bigger impact in the Phoenix area, Empty the Shelters provided needed relief at a very difficult time of year when the area’s shelters were filled to capacity. This positive event helped Maricopa County families understand the importance of adoption in ending pet homelessness.
950 pets adopted
1,900 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Arizona Humane Society
- AZ Center for Animal Rescue and Education
- Buckeye Animal Rescue
- Cooper’s Chance Animal Rescue
- Follow Your Heart Animal Rescue
- Foothills Animal Rescue
- Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
- Ruby Ranch Pet Rescue and Sanctuary
- Saving Orphan Souls Rescue
- Sun Cities 4 Paws Rescue
- Sunshine Dog Rescue
- Valley Dogs Rescue
Michigan
April 29, 2017
1,571 pets adopted - 3,142 lives saved
Michigan
Empty the Shelters helped thousands of pets from 66 shelters throughout the state of Michigan find their forever families on April 29, 2017. It was BPF’s biggest Empty the Shelters to-date and was particularly memorable as being the event when Eastwood, “the last dog in the shelter”, went viral. Eastwood, who was adopted by the Detroit Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy, put Empty the Shelters in the national headlines with his heartwarming story. It was a wonderful, and much-deserved, spotlight on the importance of adoption.
1,571 pets adopted
3,142 lives saved
Thank you to the shelters who participated!
- Happy Hearts Feline Rescue
- Harbor Humane Society
- Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven
- Humane Animal Treatment Society
- Humane Society and Animal Rescue of Muskegon County
- kelly-ryan
- Humane Society of Midland County
- Humane Society of Monroe County
- Humane Society of West Michigan
- Huron Humane Society Inc
- Ingham County Animal Control
- Jackson County Animal Shelter
- Kalamazoo Animal Rescue
- Kent County Animal Shelter
- Lenawee Humane Society
- Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
- Livingston County Animal Control and Shelter
- Los Gatos Foster Animals
- Macomb County Animal Control
- Menominee Animal Shelter
- Michele’s Rescue
- Michigan Pit Bull Education Project
- Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue
- Missaukee Humane Society
- Montcalm County Animal Control
- New Hope Pet Rescue
- Newaygo County Animal Shelter
- Northwoods Animal Shelter
- Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center
- Otsego County Animal Shelter
- Pet Angel Adoption & Rescue
- Pound Buddies Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
- Sanilac County Humane Society
- Shiawassee Humane Society
- Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter
- Van Buren County Animal Control
- Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
