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
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.
July 14, 2018 & August 4, 2018
1,134 pets adopted - 2,268 lives saved
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!
May 5, 2018
3,135 pets adopted - 6,270 lives saved
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.
November 12, 2017
85 pets adopted - 170 lives saved
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!
October 14, 2017
2,097 pets adopted - 4,194 lives saved
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.
September 12-23, 2017
779 pets adopted - 1,558 lives saved
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!
September 16, 2017
577 pets adopted - 1,154 lives saved
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.
Submit your pet’s adoption story for the chance to be featured on BISSELL Pet Foundation’s social media accounts!