GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With many shelters struggling with overcapacity issues, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is hosting another round of Empty the Shelters in October.
Empty the Shelters is held multiple times throughout the year to help get shelter pets into forever homes. Hundreds of animal shelters across the U.S. participate by offering adoption specials.
Animals are available to be adopted for $50 or less. All pets come spayed or neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated.
Empty the Shelters is running from Oct. 1 until Oct. 15.
In Michigan, 41 shelters are participating, including the following shelters in West Michigan:
- Al-Van Humane Society - South Haven
- Big Lake Humane Society - Muskegon
- Harbor Humane Society - West Olive
- Humane Society of West Michigan - Walker
- Ionia County Animal Shelter - Ionia
- Kent County Animal Shelter - Grand Rapids
- West Michigan SPCA Dba Faithful To Felines - Muskegon
“Right now, our nation’s animal shelters are in crisis with too many pets coming in and not enough adoptions to keep up. Euthanasia rates have hit a three-year high, and healthy, adoptable pets are at risk due to space constraints,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "BISSELL Pet Foundation's Fall National Empty the Shelters offers a chance for the community to save lives through adoption while creating space for shelters to help more pets. If you can't adopt, fostering can also make a lifesaving difference. Deserving pets across the country are counting on all of us.”
Empty the Shelters was first started in 2016. Since then, nearly 283,000 shelter pets have found homes.
The deadline to apply for pets differs based on the shelter. You can find more information on the shelter's websites.
If you're unable to adopt or foster a shelter pet, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is encouraging you to volunteer at your local shelter.
