Lilly, a 13-year-old Jack Russel mix, was adopted from the Sanilac County Humane Society in Carsonville, Michigan, during the May 2022 Empty the Shelters event.
Photo provided/Bissell Pet FoundationPet lovers will have the chance to adopt a pet for $50 or less, with Bissell Pet Foundation sponsoring the remaining cost next month.
"Shelters are overcrowded and in desperate need of support due to slowed adoption rates and increased length of stay for pets," Cathy Bissell, founder of Bissell Pet Foundation, said in a Thursday press release. "Our event is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your community by saving a life and creating space to give another homeless pet a chance."
To encourage adoption and relieve overcrowded shelters, the Michigan-based nonprofit is celebrating the holidays with its Empty the Shelters event from Dec. 1 to Dec. 11 at more than 275 organizations in 43 states, including 30 shelters in Michigan, according to the release.
"By supporting participating organizations with reimbursement for each pet adopted, adoptive families pay no more than $50 to bring home a fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped pet," Bissell Pet Foundation wrote in the release.
A map is available on the Bissell Pet Foundation website to see all participants.
Participation dates may vary by the shelter, according to the release. Potential adopters are encouraged by Bissell to visit its website to find the nearest participating shelter and confirm adoption day details. Many shelters require preapproval, which may necessitate an in-person visit the week leading up to the event.
The Bissell Pet Foundation started Empty the Shelters in 2016 at just a few Michigan shelters in the beginning. Since then, the event has grown to be the country’s largest funded adoption event. To date, nearly 126,000 pets nationwide have found their forever homes, according to the release.
During past adoption events, Bissell Pet Foundation sponsored reduced adoption fees for $25 or less. This year's holiday adoption event may cost up to $50.
"We can create a solution to the crisis facing our nation’s animal shelters by making them the place communities rely upon to find family pets," Cathy Bissell wrote in a Nov. 2, 2022, blog post. "But, first, we must show our communities that all kinds of dogs are available to them through the shelter system."
