PAWS Atlanta announces 37 adoptions during its participation in BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National “Empty the Shelters” event. From May 1 - 15, a total of 17,792 pets were adopted from 364 shelters in 45 states. The Foundation partnered with Dogtopia, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing pet services franchise, to make this event possible in more shelters than ever before. PAWS Atlanta offered reduced fees of $50.00 for pet adoptions including dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. 33 cats and 4 dogs found loving homes during this special event.

“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 140,0 00 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.

“We are truly grateful to every adopter who opened their heart and home to a pet during a time when shelters nationwide are experiencing unprecedented challenges.” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Increased owner surrenders due to evictions and housing restrictions, lack of access to veterinary care and financial challenges brought on by inflation are contributing to increased length of stays for many highly adoptable pets. Our partnership with Dogtopia allowed us to host this event at more organizations than ever before, helping nearly 1,200 pets to be adopted daily at 364 organizations in 45 states—a new record for our 'Empty the Shelters' event! We are thrilled so many pets found loving homes thanks to this lifesaving partnership!"

A few particularly special adoptions occurred thanks to this event. Homer, a cat who had been at PAWS Atlanta for nearly a year, found a loving home. Chex, a cat who had been returned to PAWS Atlanta after a previous adoption, went home with an excited, young family. Several cats went home in pairs, which is a wonderful benefit for their social personalities. PAWS Atlanta Executive Director, Joe Labriola, states, “We were so fortunate to participate in Bissell Pet Foundation’s recent Empty the Shelters promotion and were pleased to place 37 homeless animals into loving homes. The subsidies provided by the foundation allow us to dramatically lower our adoption fees, making it easier and less costly for members of our community to welcome a pet into their homes. We look forward to partnering with the Bissell Pet Foundation as they announce new Empty the Shelters promotions later this year.”

For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty- the-shelters as well as www.pawsatlanta.org.