Among other problems plaguing today’s world, we have a domestic animal problem, too. According to the data, more pets are entering shelters and rescues than those leaving, as adoption rates are declining. Meanwhile, the average length of an animal’s stay in a shelter is increasing, which puts more and more pets at risk. In 2023, shelters euthanized more dogs than ever before, largely due to overcrowding. Shelters euthanized over 300,000 cats that same year.
But there is some good news. There are people doing something about all of this. BISSELL Pet Foundation just announced a huge milestone: Since its founding in 2011, it has impacted over 1 million pets through its rescue, adoption, transport, and spay-neuter initiatives.
Cathy Bissell, the founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, says that the milestone “is a testament to the shelters, rescues, and advocates working tirelessly every day to give pets a second chance.” But they’re not done, and they’re certainly not resting on their laurels. “While we celebrate 1 million pets impacted, our mission continues — too many pets still need help, and we won’t stop until every pet has a loving home.”
As the proud owner of several rescue pups over the years, and one very hyper little guy now, I’m certainly excited to hear the news. It’s unfortunate that the overcrowding has reached a tipping point in most shelters across the country. But as one family — and I’m sure many of you feel the same way — there’s no way possible to rescue all of these animals. It’s wonderful to see an organization stepping up to make the difference.
Exploring the BISSELL Pet Foundation initiatives
Over the past 14 years, the BISSELL Pet Foundation has continuously grown and introduced several programs aligned with its cause, rescuing and caring for the animals that have no place to go. Its more prominent programs include:
- Fix the Future: A free spay and neuter program providing direct payments to veterinarians and connecting them with shelters and pet owners in need. The initiative provides low-cost, accessible services, including spay and neuter operations, vaccinations and microchips.
- Empty the Shelters: As the name implies, the initiative is about getting animals out of shelters and into loving homes. It’s the largest funded adoption event, helping pets find new families. BISSELL Pet Foundation provides direct financial support to participating organizations to cover and lower adoption costs.
- Crisis and Disaster Response: Through its Animal Incident Management (AIM) team, the foundation provides emergency rescue, transport and shelter for pets in harm’s way during natural disasters and large-scale crises. They work with Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) and partner shelters to relocate animals in urgent need.
- Transport Program: By moving adoptable pets from overcrowded shelters to areas with higher adoption demand, the foundation ensures many animals survive and thrive.
You can find more information on Fix the Future and Empty the Shelters at the respective pages.
What’s next for the Bissell Pet Foundation?
To commemorate the achievement, and it’s a big one, BISSELL and co will be sharing heartwarming stories of pets that found their second chance through the aforementioned programs. Over 14 years of unwavering commitment is a long time, and certainly worth celebrating. But the more important part is that the foundation is not stopping. They will continue to help and rescue animals, including those already with families but still in need — through spay, neuter, and vaccination support.
If you want to do something, and cannot take in an animal, you can always make a donation to BISSELL Pet Foundation to keep the mission alive. Empty shelters save lives and that’s what the ultimate goal is — to find as many of these animals loving homes as possible.
The information in this story was originally shared by the BISSELL Pet Foundation.
