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A smiling boy, woman, and another woman pose with a happy husky dog in front of a fence with empty the shelters logos at an outdoor pet adoption event.
Adopted 2018
Our Programs

Empty the Shelters®

Empty Shelters = Lives Saved

Adoption saves two lives – the adopted pet and the one who takes their place in the shelter.

As the nation’s largest funded adoption event, Empty the Shelters helps homeless pets find families by making adoption affordable for prospective pet owners. We do this by supporting participating organizations with reimbursement for each pet adopted.

This lifesaving reduced-fee adoption event is a Win-Win-Win: 

  • Adopters win because BPF pays the adoption fees allowing them to take home a spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, and microchipped pet who is ready to be loved for $70 or less.
  • Shelters win because the event brings awareness and foot traffic, helping pets get adopted.
  • And, most importantly, every pet wins by finding
    a loving home!

Events are held quarterly. Follow us on social media to see announcements for upcoming events. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Donate to Empty the Shelters

Empty the Shelters Impact Since 2016

A simple heart shape with a dark blue outline and filled with solid pink color, slightly overlapping to the right.

747,956

A green paw print with a dark blue outline, featuring four toes and a large pad in the center, on a transparent background.

324,529

A simple orange house icon with a dark outline, featuring a heart shape above the arched doorway, symbolizing home and love.

815

A blue icon depicts a map with a location pin marker on top, symbolizing navigation or a geographic location—ideal for marking point 0 or starting positions.

49

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Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event.

Empty the Shelters National Media Coverage

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Three people kneel on grass, smiling and posing with a happy husky mix dog in front of a backdrop displaying “empty the shelters” and various sponsor logos.
Adopted 2018

What to Expect

Read the FAQ

Become a Participating Shelter!

Learn More

A happy dog with light fur and a colorful bandana stands outdoors on grass, looking at the camera. In the background, a person in a green shirt sits in a folding chair near their 0 camping gear.

100% of your donation will directly benefit pets in need.

Donate to Empty the Shelters