National Event aims to “Empty the Shelters” on May 5

By on April 21, 2018

The BISSELL Pet Foundation, a non-profit based in Michigan, recognizes the need to educate people about shelter animals. That’s why the animal advocacy group is organizing an Empty the Shelters event on May 5, 2018. Here’s why:

  • About 3 million animals are euthanized in shelters across the country annually. Shelters often don’t have space to accommodate all the animals they could rehabilitate, house, treat, and adopt.
  • Only about a quarter of dogs adopted across the country come from shelters. Less than one third of cats adopted nationally come from shelters. There is often a stigma associated with shelter pets and BISSELL aims to change people’s minds.

The Empty the Shelter will have 14 states taking part including Nebraska. The event includes 66 Michigan shelters. All adoption fees will be paid for by Grand Rapids-based BISSELL. According to the Detroit Free Press:

“Over the last 24 months, BISSELL has helped nearly 10,000 cats and dogs find homes through nine individual adoption events across 14 states. This will be the first time Empty the Shelter will happen in multiple states simultaneously. The animals are being flown in Saturday by the nonprofit GreaterGood.org in partnership with Freekibble.com and Wings of Rescue. The cats and dogs arriving Saturday will be sent to the Michigan Humane Society. They are coming from the Humane Society of Tulsa, Tulsa County Sheriff, El Paso Animal Services, and Palm Valley Animal Center. To date, the collaboration between the three organizations has saved over 6,865 pets nationwide.

For more information on the event, find BISSELL online here. In Nebraska, Hastings’ Start Over Rover is the lone shelter participating. If you’d like to find out how you can adopt, click here. Note: you’ll need to get pre-approved by May 4, so visit today.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply