BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National Empty the Shelters® Celebrates 10 Years
For 10 years, BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters® has connected shelter pets with loving families, and this spring’s milestone event was no exception. From May 1–17, 2026, more than 16,073 pets from 335 shelters in 39 states found homes during the Spring National Empty the Shelters event.
As shelters across the country continue to face overcrowding from seasonal increases in stray and surrendered animals, the need for adoption remains critical. During the 10th anniversary event, adopters were able to welcome home a spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, and microchipped pet for $70 or less.
“Ten years ago, Empty the Shelters® began with a simple goal—to bring awareness to the incredible pets in shelters,” said Cathy Bissell. “Today, it has grown into a national effort that has helped nearly 400,000 pets find families. Those adoptions have opened space for other pets to enter shelters, provided relief for shelter teams and created the heartwarming joy that only adoption can bring. We are deeply grateful to all of the shelters, adopters, donors and supporters who give these deserving pets a second chance.”
Since launching Empty the Shelters in 2016, BISSELL Pet Foundation has partnered with more than 909 organizations across 49 states and Canada, helping nearly 400,000 pets find loving homes. With continued support from donors, Empty the Shelters will remain a vital resource for shelters facing overcrowding nationwide.
BISSELL Pet Foundation encourages the public to consider donating to help pets waiting in shelters across the country find homes. To learn more or contribute, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.
Adoption Stories
During BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National Empty the Shelters® event, a family visited one of the Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters locations hoping to meet tabby brothers Hank and Harold. It didn’t take long for the lovable duo to win them over with their charm and sweet personalities. But Hank and Harold weren’t the only ones making a lasting impression that day. Their good friend Katya, another sweet tabby, quickly stole a few hearts of her own. Before long, the family realized they couldn’t imagine leaving any of them behind. Instead of taking home the two they came to see, they adopted all three!
After 1,193 days at Marion County Animal Shelter, Buddy finally found his forever home. Surrendered when his owner faced housing insecurity, he spent more than three years waiting while still wagging his tail and charming every visitor he met. During BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National Empty the Shelters® event, the shelter shared a video of Buddy and the very next day his future family saw it and fell in love. Now, Buddy is settling into his new home, enjoying couch life and the love he waited so long to find. His story is a powerful reminder that thanks to Empty the Shelters, even the longest waits can have the happiest endings.
Alone and seemingly forgotten, Girard was found wandering a grocery store parking lot with nowhere to go and no one looking for him. Despite being abandoned and later undergoing a tail amputation, this sweet boy never lost his joyful spirit. After 74 days of waiting, his perfect match arrived during the BISSELL Pet Foundation Spring National Empty the Shelters® event, when a couple fell in love with him and gave him the happy ending he’d been waiting for.
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