Bissell Pet Foundation's 'Empty the Shelters' Event Is a True Pet Adoption Game-Changer
From October 1-15, 2024, BISSELL Pet Foundation is hosting its Fall National Empty the Shelters™ event, the largest funded pet adoption initiative in the country, with over 360 shelters participating across 43 states.
This event comes at a critical time for animal shelters nationwide, as overcrowding has reached a crisis level and euthanasia rates are hitting a 3-year high. BISSELL Pet Foundation is stepping in to provide reduced adoption fees, offering adopters the chance to bring home fully vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered pets for $50 or less. Since its inception in 2016, Empty the Shelters™ has helped nearly 283,000 pets find loving homes, and we hope to add thousands more to that number this fall.
ParadePets interviewed Cathy Bissell, founder of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, all about the Empty The Shelters event and why animal adoption is a cause so near and dear to her heart.
ParadePets: What inspired you to create the BISSELL Pet Foundation?
In 2008, at age 49, my life changed forever when I adopted a regal and gentle black Labrador named Bear—my first adopted pet. I had always loved animals and owned many pets, but Bear opened my eyes to the dogs and cats waiting patiently to be adopted in shelters nationwide. He came from the local Humane Society and was six years old. His family gave him up because they got a new puppy and didn’t have time for him. I couldn't believe it—he was literally perfect. Bear changed the trajectory of my life, leading me to become actively involved in animal welfare and establish BISSELL Pet Foundation in 2011.
Homeless pets like Bear depend on adopters coming into the shelter and choosing them. The more I learned about animal shelters and the pets within them, my path became clear. Now more than ever, our nation's shelters have pets like yours and mine—including purebreds—many are trained, have known homes, have slept on couches, and have been a family's best friend. They’re simply waiting for someone to give them a second chance. My biggest regret is that I didn’t adopt sooner, but it’s never too late to make a difference. My goal is to spread this message and create programs to save lives until every pet has a home.
ParadePets: If you could share one reason why adopting a pet can improve someone’s life, what would it be?
Pet adoption will change your life in so many ways that it’s tough to choose just one. However, there is no love like that of a shelter pet. These pets know that you saved them, and they are so grateful. Seeing them settle in, show their personality and become a part of the family is life changing. It will make you wonder why you didn’t adopt sooner. Adopting one pet may also make you want to adopt more or even consider fostering.
One of my greatest regrets is not adopting sooner. You can make a difference by choosing adoption. You aren’t just saving the pet you adopt; you’re also saving the pet that takes their place in the shelter. Adopting a pet will change your life, and there’s no better time to do it than now.
ParadePets: What has been the most fulfilling aspect of the Empty The Shelters events?
Every time I visit a shelter, I always find pets I fall in love with and could easily bring home. I knew if I could get people to visit shelters, a pet would pull at their heartstrings, and they would feel the same way. I created Empty the Shelters in 2016 to bring awareness to the importance of adoption and change the public's perception of shelter pets. Today, BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters events are the largest funded adoption events in the nation and have helped more than 283,000 pets (and counting) find loving homes.
The BissellFoundation
It has been unbelievably fulfilling to see the happy adoption pictures and read the stories of individual pets that move from shelter kennels to comfy couches. Cats and dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, and personalities get second chances. Sometimes, pets who have been waiting months or even years get noticed and adopted during our events. We have created momentum around adoption that has made individuals and families excited about visiting their local shelter to find their next pet. Our nation's shelters are full, and we are making a meaningful difference by saving lives and creating space in the shelter that allows more pets to get a chance. Empty the Shelters is a critical program, and we continue to expand its reach and impact.
Related: Jackson Galaxy Explains Why 'Clear The Shelters' Should Be Important to Everyone
ParadePets: How can people who already have pets contribute, even if they aren’t able to adopt right now?
Our nation’s shelters are full. If you can’t adopt, please consider fostering. Opening your heart and home to a foster pet creates critical space at your local animal shelter to allow them to save more pets in need. Fostering a pet isn’t just a personally rewarding experience, it’s also completely transformative for the pet you foster as you can provide them with a chance to relax and get out of the shelter environment, socialization, routines, training and even a chance for them to recuperate from any medical issues. If you’re considering your budget, fostering is usually completely free, with food, toys, and medical treatment provided. For those with concerns about the time commitment, most shelters offer both short-term and long-term foster opportunities to better accommodate your schedule.
You can also contribute to help find loving homes for more pets in more places by making a donation to BISSELL Pet Foundation to support Empty the Shelters. 100% of your contribution saves lives.
ParadePets: Do you have a favorite Empty the Shelters adoption story?
BISSELL Clear the Shelters/Facebook
An average of 1,225 pets are adopted each day of BISSELL Pet Foundation's national Empty the Shelters events, and every adoption is important to me. One example is Ward, an incredible dog the McKamey Animal Center in Tennessee discovered in the aftermath of a hit-and-run last year. This lovable dog was paralyzed from the waist down. Despite being unable to use his legs or tail, his happy-go-lucky, resilient personality began to emerge as he learned to walk with a wheelchair while in the care of the shelter. The staff and volunteers did everything they could to rehabilitate Ward. After months of waiting, Ward's wish for a loving family came true during one of our national Empty the Shelters events. His new family had seen the promotions for BPF's event and decided to meet Ward. To no one's surprise, it was love at first sight. Ward can now wag his tail - something he was unable to do previously - and continues to become more mobile in his adoptive home. Ward's story is an inspiring reminder of just how life-changing adoption can be.
About the SurfaceSense® Allergen Pet Lift-Off® Vacuum
Bissell was kind enough to send me the SurfaceSense Allergen Pet Lift-Off Vacuum to sample. I'm a huge fan of vacuums, I love cleaning my house, and with four pets I vacuum multiple times a day.
EveVawter
The unit was a cinch to put together and it's a gorgeous black and rose gold shade. Not only is she pretty, but she comes with upholstery attachments and she's light so it doesn't feel like you're wrestling an alligator to get your floors clean. Another bonus? She works on both carpet and hardwood.
As I said above, I pride myself on having a clean house and I even vacuumed with my other (and I won't name brands here, but this vacuum is often referred to as the best vacuum you can buy) vacuum before trying out my new Bissell.
Here is the result.
EveVawter
Not only are BISSELL vacuums pet proven to help get rid of all the messes our beloved pets leave behind, but every purchase makes it possible for BISSEL to continue saving pets through partnerships with animal welfare organizations.
This World Animal Day, on October 4th, BISSELL is taking an unprecedented step by suspending sales on its Amazon storefront to focus exclusively on donations for BISSELL Pet Foundation through the campaign, From Cart to Care: For the Love of Pets.
From Cart to Care: On October 4th, Amazon will promote donations to BISSELL Pet Foundation instead of purchases on the BISSELL storefront.
Fire TV Stream It Forward Initiative: Now through October 18th, Amazon will donate $1 per hour streamed of select movies on Fire TV, up to $100,000. Every hour watched can help save a pet’s life!
Amazon Live “Empty the Shelters” Event: On October 4th, Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, will host a livestream event, providing insights into the foundation’s mission and featuring pets in need of adoption.
If you would like to find a participating shelter near you or donate to Empty the Shelters, please visit their website here.
