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A thin dog with a worn collar sits on muddy ground in a forest, next to a black plastic container and two bowls, looking directly at the camera. The surroundings appear damp and overgrown.
Our Programs

Crisis & Disaster

Responding to the Unimaginable

Why We Do This Work

When pets are in life-threatening situations ranging from natural disasters to disease outbreaks to puppy mill cases, they need lifesaving resources.  

How We Make a Difference

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Animal Incident Management® (AIM) team responds even in the most difficult situations.  From pre-event planning to post-event recovery, animal search and rescue, shelter support, transport and mass care/humanitarian efforts, AIM assists pets in harm’s way. 

Working in collaboration with BISSELL Pet Foundation’s National Shelter Alliance experts and partner shelters throughout the country, we assist with large-scale incidents where pets desperately need lifesaving care; secure resources such as temporary housing and treatment in cases of disease outbreak; and provide transport for pets to safety before and after natural disasters strike. 

AIM Animal Incident Management logo with a red shield showing animal and human figures, and text: Supporting animals and the people who care for them. A BISSELL Pet Foundation Initiative.

What We Do

Prepare

AIM works with animal shelters, emergency management teams and local partners to prepare communities before disasters happen. Through planning, training and collaboration, AIM supports practical approaches to manage intake, sheltering, reunification and recovery. As part of BISSELL Pet Foundation’s commitment to readiness, this work reduces pet displacement and improves outcomes for pets and families.

Respond

When disasters strike, AIM helps animal shelters and communities respond quickly and effectively. Working with BISSELL Pet Foundation Shelter Alliance partners, AIM supports shelters in stabilizing operations, caring for animals and managing increased intake during emergencies.

By working alongside emergency management partners, including the American Red Cross, AIM prioritizes solutions that keep people and pets together.

Stabilize

Through BISSELL Pet Foundation’s nationwide network of shelter and rescue partners, AIM moves pets to safety during disasters and large-scale crises. When local shelters are overwhelmed, AIM coordinates placement strategies that reduce overcrowding and increase capacity for adoption and foster care, allowing organizations to remain focused on serving their communities.

Reunite

Recovery doesn’t end when the immediate crisis passes. AIM stays involved, working to reconnect pets with their families, identify ongoing needs and restore animal care services in affected communities. By prioritizing reunification, community healing and sustainable shelter operations, BISSELL Pet Foundation helps ensure disasters do not permanently separate families from their pets, while also strengthening local systems for the future.
Three gray kittens wearing collars sit inside a pet carrier. One kitten looks up through the bars while another eats from a small dish. The background is blurred, and part of a red sign is visible outside the carrier.

National Shelter Alliance

BPF has teamed up with leading shelters to support shelters facing crises such as natural disasters and cruelty situations.

Learn More

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A tan and white dog on a blue leash stands on wet pavement outside a building, with a person in shorts and black shoes holding the leash. Shelving and crates are visible inside the open door behind them.

In August, 2024, with Tropical Storm Debby forecasted to potentially cause historic flooding in the South Carolina coastal communities, coupled with shelters in our state and elsewhere already far overcapacity, the situation was dire. Partners, both local and national, from previous years had no capacity to help us. Then, like an angel descending from Heaven, BISSELL Pet Foundation reached out to us and simply said, 'we've got your back,' and they did. BISSELL Pet Foundation facilitated the placement and transport of more than 200 evacuated shelter animals out of harm’s way! Thank you BISSELL Pet Foundation!”

Joe Elmore, President and CEO, Charleston Animal Society

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Your support allows us to act quickly when pets need us most.

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