Empty the Shelters

Empty Shelters = Full Hearts

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

Finding a loving home for every pet is the ultimate goal of BISSELL Pet Foundation. 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. Adopters pay no more than $50 and local license fees.

Established in 2016, Empty the Shelters has helped over 138,000 pets find their loving families at participating shelters in 47 states and Canada. Events are held quarterly. Follow us on social media to see announcements for upcoming events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find a Shelter Near You Donate to Empty the Shelters

Empty the Shelters Impact Since 2016

313,110

Total Pets Impacted

138,215

Total Adoptions

605

Participating Partners

47

States + Canada

Why We ❤️ Empty the Shelters

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 fully vaccinated, microchipped and spayed or neutered pet who is ready to be loved for $50 or less (much more affordable than purchasing a pet!)
Shelters win because the pets they care about get a second chance when adoption fees are covered by BISSELL Pet Foundation.
And, most importantly, every pet wins by finding a loving home!

How it Works

Woman holding a small tan puppy she adopted during Empty the Shelters

Shelters in 47 States and Canada

Hundreds of BPF shelter partners across the country participate to connect homeless pets with families.

Mother and two children holding two kittens adopted at Empty the Shelters

Pet Adoptions at a Reduced Fee

Thanks to BPF, adopters pay no more than $50 to adopt their new best friend who comes home spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

Boy and girl with a small dog adopted at Empty the Shelters

More Pets Find Loving Homes

Affordable adoption fees allow more pets to find homes opening lifesaving kennel space to allow shelters to save more lives.

Find a Participating Shelter Near You

Empty the Shelters —Adopt a Valentine event takes place from February 9 – 15, 2023!

BISSELL Pet Foundation is spreading the love this Valentine’s Day by sponsoring reduced adoption fees. Please use the interactive map to find a participating location near you. Each organization follows its own adoption procedures — contact the shelter you are interested in adopting from before the event to find out their specific requirements, hours, and locations, view adoptable pets, etc.

All potential adopters are screened by qualified adoption counselors at every participating location to ensure each pet is matched with the right family.

Filter Shelters

After using the filters to narrow your search, select a pin on the map and click More Info to be directed to the shelter’s website to access their contact information, adoptable pets, hours and locations.

Shelter Name	Location	Pets Available	Preapproval Deadline	Notes
Al-Van Humane Society	South Haven, MI	Dogs and Cats	2/14/2023
Alcona Humane Society	Lincoln, MI	Dogs and Cats	2/14/2024
Bay County Animal Services & Adoption Center	Bay City, MI	Dogs and Cats	2/7/2023	EVENT WILL BE FEB 9TH- FEB 11TH WE WILL ACCEPT APPILCATIONS DURING EVENT TOO.
Big Lake Humane Society (The Muskegon Humane Society)	Muskegon, MI	Dogs and Cats	2/8/2023	Appointment only Tuesday-Friday, noon-4:30pm. LIMITED Walk-in Saturday from 11am-2pm.
Blue Water Area Humane Society (St Clair County Humane Society)	Clyde, MI	Dogs and Cats	2/11/2023
Capital Area Humane Society	Lansing, MI	Dogs and Cats
Cheboygan County Humane Society	Cheboygan, MI	Dogs and Cats		Landlord & Vet checks (if you have animals) are required.
Clare County Animal Shelter	Harrison, MI	Dogs and Cats
Detroit Dog Rescue	Saint Clair Shores, MI	Dogs Only
Do Only Good Animal Rescue	Rochester Hills, MI	Dogs Only
Friends For Animals of Metro Detroit	Dearborn, MI	Dogs and Cats
Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control	Detroit, MI	Dogs and Cats		Please do not bring your current pets, just human family members.
Genesee County Animal Control	Flint, MI	Dogs and Cats		You must make an appointment through messaging our Facebook page or calling 810-732-1660 ext 6
Greater Hillsdale Humane Society	OSSEO, MI	Dogs and Cats		Pre-approval isn't required, but is recommended.
Harbor Humane Society	West Olive, MI	Dogs and Cats
Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven	Ferrysburg, MI	Cats Only
Houston Humane Society	Houston, TX	Dogs and Cats
Humane Animal Treatment Society	Mount Pleasant, MI	Dogs and Cats
Humane Society Of Midland County	Midland, MI	Dogs and Cats
Humane Society of West Michigan	Grand Rapids, MI	Dogs and Cats
Huron Humane Society Inc, Alpena	Alpena, MI	Dogs and Cats
Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter	Mason, MI	Dogs and Cats
Ionia County Animal Shelter	Ionia, MI	Dogs and Cats
Jackson County Animal Shelter	jackson, MI	Dogs and Cats
Kent County Animal Shelter	Grand Rapids, MI	Dogs and Cats
Lapeer County Animal Control	Lapeer, MI	Dogs and Cats
Lenawee Humane Society	Adrian, MI	Dogs and Cats		We strongly encourage pre-approval of adoption application prior to event. Walkins will be served based on availability of staff.
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society	Harbor Springs, MI	Dogs and Cats
Livingston County Animal Control and Shelter	Howell, MI	Dogs and Cats
Macomb County Animal Control	Clinton Twp, MI	Dogs and Cats
Macomb County Humane Society DBA Humane Society of Macomb	Utica, MI	Dogs and Cats	2/15/2023
Montcalm County Animal Control	Stanton, MI	Dogs and Cats
Northwoods Animal Shelter	Iron River, MI	Dogs and Cats	2/8/2023
Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center	Pontiac, MI	Dogs and Cats
Sacramento SPCA	Sacramento, CA	Dogs and Cats
Saginaw County Animal Care & Control	Saginaw, MI	Dogs and Cats
Shiawassee County Humane Society	Owosso, MI	Dogs and Cats		Adoption appointments are highly recommended.
SPCA of Southwest Michigan	Kalamazoo, MI	Dogs and Cats
St Clair County Animal Control	Port Huron, MI	Dogs and Cats		Walk-ins welcome for cats. Appointments for dogs preferred but not required.
Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, Inc.	Tuscaloosa, AL	Dogs and Cats
Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS)	Gwinn, MI	Dogs and Cats
West Michigan SPCA Dba Faithful To Felines	Muskegon, MI	Cats Only