Furkids Hosting 'Empty The Shelter' Adoption Event This Weekend

CUMMING, GA — After successfully finding forever homes for 18,359 pets in 2020, BISSELL Pet Foundation is again aiming to empty the shelters by sponsoring reduced adoption fees of $25 or less at 200 participating shelters and rescues in 36 states through May 9.

Furkids Animal Rescues and Shelters, one of the largest cage-free, no-kill shelters in the southeast, will be participating in this nationwide adoption effort. Through May 9, all adoptable cats will have a $25 adoption fee. All dogs over 30 pounds and those who have been in the Furkids program for more than 60 days will also have a $25 adoption fee throughout the event. Seniors (10+ yrs) and FIV/FeLV+ adoptions are free.

“We are thrilled to participate, once again, in the BISSELL Pet Foundation Empty the Shelters event and even more thrilled to extend this opportunity to dogs in our program,” Founder and CEO of Furkids Inc. Samantha Shelton said. “In 2020, Furkids was able to place more than 260 animals into loving homes through this nationwide partnership.”

Furkids, 5235 Union Hill Road in Cumming, is currently accepting visitors by appointment only. For more information, visit the website to submit an adoption application.

BISSELL Pet Foundation's mission to find every pet a loving home is the driving force behind empty the shelters. In 2016, the foundation created a reduced-fee adoption event to make an immediate impact on the nation's ongoing pet homelessness problem. Since then, this program has encouraged prospective pet owners to consider adoption as their first option when bringing a pet into their family. So far, 49,360 pets have found homes from this program’s efforts.

Empty the shelters is the foundation’s biggest program and cannot continue going and growing without donor support. BISSELL Pet Foundation makes adoption affordable and reimburses shelters for every pet adopted during the event to help cover spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccination, and other costs of care. Since 2016, BISSELL Pet Foundation has expanded its "Empty the Shelter" reach from 24 shelters in one state, to 365 shelters in 43 states and Canada. The foundation is seeking donations to continue to expand "Empty the Shelter" to more areas, and all contributions will go directly to fund pet adoptions.

“The national 'Empty the Shelters' event in May will be our largest yet, and as a small foundation, we are incredibly proud to see the growth of this program as we continue to expand its impact,” Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation Cathy Bissell said. “'Empty the Shelters' not only helps our shelter partners free up space in their facilities, but it places pets in permanent homes. It’s a win-win for everyone involved…our partners, adopters, and most importantly, the pets.”

BISSELL Pet Foundation will also honor foster-to-adopt cases that start as fosters during May 5-9 and are finalized up to one week after the event.

BISSELL Pet Foundation urges families to do their research, as many participating organizations are still operating under restricted protocols and procedures. For more information on adopting for donating to Empty the Shelters, visit online.