August 21, 2023 - Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control announces 253 adoptions during its participation in BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Summer National “Empty the Shelters event. From July 6-31, a total of 31,861 pets were adopted from 337 shelters in 44 states. The Foundation teamed up with MetLife Pet Insurance for this lifesaving reduced-fee adoption event.
Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control participated from July 6 through July 31 and offered a $50 adoption fee for dogs six months and older, while cats, kittens, and small animals were a “Pick your Price.” This event included not only our shelter, but at all of our offsite adoption locations: Covington Veterinary Hospital, Westside Animal Hospital, Black Forest Cat Café, Pet Supplies Plus, and PetSmart stores.
“Empty the Shelters” is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest initiative and continues to grow each year to provide critical relief to overcrowded shelters. Since the event’s inception in 2016, more than 191,986 pets have found loving homes through this lifesaving event. BISSELL Pet Foundation provides grants for each adoption - $100 per dog and $50 per cat - allowing shelters to reduce adoption fees to $50 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.
"The people that chose to adopt during our Summer National ‘Empty the Shelters’ event literally saved lives as shelter pets are at risk," said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Shelters nationwide are in crisis with an overwhelming number of highly adoptable, homeless pets. Each adopter who chose consciously to adopt a pet is my hero and made a lifesaving difference.”
On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control's adoptable dogs were all adopted for the first time in three years. On this same day, 22 cats were adopted, leaving the adoption center almost empty.
“We want to thank BISSELL Pet Foundation for granting the shelter the opportunity to help reduce adoption fees, making it easier for our animals to find loving homes. We also want to thank everyone who helped spread the word about this incredible event to help the animals in our care get adopted. It was great seeing our kennels and rooms emptied,” says Director Amy-Jo Sites.
For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters as well as www.fwacc.org.