News Flash

BISSELL Pet Foundation is hosting an emergency “Empty the Shelters” adoption event at 10 Florida shelters from Feb. 24 – 28, including Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS). This is a statewide effort to relieve overcrowded shelters after their assistance with a large-scale neglect case in Santa Rosa County. BISSELL Pet Foundation will sponsor reduced adoption fees to help pets find loving homes.
 
SRCAS is participating by waiving all adoption fees through Feb. 28. All interested adopters can find animals available for adoption online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/387/Animal-Services.

The “Empty the Shelters” event began in 2016 to encourage more families to choose adoption. Since its inception, BISSELL Pet Foundation has expanded its “Empty the Shelters” reach to organizations in 45 states and Canada, partnering with more than 400 shelters. As a result, more than 83,000 pets have been adopted through “Empty the Shelters” events. This emergency adoption event aims to find adoptive homes for pets often overlooked in animal shelters.
 
“Shelters throughout Florida are coming together to support Santa Rosa County Animal Service and the pets from this devastating case utilizing the BISSELL Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event model,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Collaboration saves lives and BISSELL Pet Foundation is honored to be a part of the journey for these pets and the shelters that have taken them into their programs. Thank you to Santa Rosa County Animal Services for giving these dogs a second chance, and to Best Friends Animal Society for providing ground support for the Santa Rosa team.”
 
SRCAS had the chance to participate in the BISSELL Pet Foundation "Empty the Shelters" Holiday Hope Event in 2021 which resulted in 50 adoptions along with several animals finding foster homes through the holidays.
 
"We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from the BISSELL Pet Foundation and the organizations in Florida participating in this event," said Tara DeAguilera, rescue coordinator. "This case has been a tremendous undertaking and we could not have done what we did for these dogs without support from our community and other rescues. Our goal every day is a home for every animal."
   
For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters as well as www.santarosa.fl.gov/387/Animal-Services.
 
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 5,300 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, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.

 
Media Contact:
Brittany Schlacter | BISSELL Pet Foundation | Marketing & PR Specialist | brittany.schlacter@bissell.com | 812.593.3296