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'Empty The Shelters' Day Is May 7 Across Michigan With Free Pet Adoptions

DETROIT (WWJ) Have room in your heart and home for a new fur baby? There's no better time than the present to seek one out.

BISSELL Pet Foundation is turning May 7 into "empty the shelters" day for hundreds of dogs and cats across Michigan. The Grand Rapids-based non-profit will pay all adoption fees at more than 20 shelters and rescue organizations and will thank families for choosing adoption with the gift of an AdoptBox™.

"Our hope is that hundreds of homeless pets will sleep well knowing the comfort of a new home and a loving family," says Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation.

Millions of pets are abandoned or released to shelters and rescue organizations each year. In Michigan alone, approximately 40,000 pets are euthanized yearly because they are unable to find new homes.

Here's your chance to help: More than a thousand cats and dogs are expected to be available for adoption on "Empty the Shelters" day. Families that choose adoption on May 7 will only be responsible for licensing fees, which vary by county from $7 to $12. BISSELL Pet Foundation will take care of all adoption fees, which average $150 for dogs and $60 for cats.

In addition to a new best friend, every adopting family will take home a BISSELL Pet Foundation AdoptBox, which includes toys and treats for either dogs or cats, a collar, ID tag, selection of BISSELL cleaning products, coupons and 30 days of free pet insurance. A wellness booklet outlines the best care and keeping of animals in regards to veterinarian visits, vaccines and preventative medicine.

"Our goal for "Empty the Shelters" day is to encourage people considering a pet to choose adoption first," Bissell notes. "We're hoping that the AdoptBox, with its stock of go-to supplies and information, will help new pet parents choose the right products and make good choices for their pet's future."

 

If you want to contribute, the AdoptBox will also be available for purchase for $54.99 on BISSELL Pet Foundation's website, at www.bissellpetfoundation.org beginning on May 7. All proceeds from online AdoptBox sales will support the mission of BISSELL Pet Foundation until every pet has home.

For more information about "Empty the Shelters" day, including a list of participating shelters and rescue organizations, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.

 

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