The country’s largest funded adoption event found homes for thousands of shelter pets

Citrus County Animal Services Adopts 91 Pets During BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” Event

Citrus County Animal Services (CCAS) announces 91 adoptions during its participation in BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National “Empty the Shelters event. From May 2 – 15, a total of 13,504 homeless pets were adopted from 280 shelters in 45 states. Since 2016, “Empty the Shelters” is the nation’s largest funded adoption event, impacting the lives of more than 96,000 pets through adoption. CCAS offered free for pet adoptions including dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. 91 animals were adopted during the event, including three ducklings, a pigeon, and a pig.

“Empty the Shelters” is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest initiative and continues to grow each year to provide critical relief to overcrowded shelters. The nationwide event set a record during this event with 280 participating shelters. BISSELL Pet Foundation provides grants for each adoption – $100 per dog and $50 per cat – allowing shelters to reduce adoption fees to $25 or less. Pets must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before being adopted out, an additional cost savings for the family, making the choice to adopt even more affordable.

“Right now, shelters are so full, and pets are experiencing longer stays. Our partners are reporting that ‘Empty the Shelters’ is driving even more adopters into their facilities. With the decline in transport, local adoptions have become our primary lifesaving tool,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “This is an expensive program for our small foundation, but it is a proven success, and we can’t turn our backs when we know we can save thousands of lives in one event.”

“We are grateful for our partnership with the Bissell Pet Foundation and Cathy Bissell,” said Colleen Yarbrough, Director of Animal Services. “They help bring light to issues that shelters face. ‘Empty the Shelters’ is one of the many programs they offer that benefit pets in communities nationwide. We are also thankful for all of those who gave the winning lottery ticket to pets in our care by giving them a home for life.”

For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters as well as www.citrusbocc.com.

About BISSELL Pet Foundation:

BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501©(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and emergency support. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 5,600 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Homecare, Inc where every purchase saves pets. To learn more and make a donation, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.