Empty the Shelters in Response to Covid-19

Empty The Shelters in Response to Covid-19

What You Can Do in Summerville, SC

Empty the Shelters is an initiative started by Bissell in 2016. Yes, Bissell, the vacuum cleaner and floor care product manufacturing company.  Their goal is to find forever homes for every pet in a shelter.  Since 2016, according to their website, they have placed more than 30,000 pets in 33 states.

Since the world has been turned upside down lately, Covid-19 is also becoming a shelter pet crisis.  With people urged or ordered to stay home, there are less adoptions and fewer staff available to care for these pets.  And as more people become ill and unable to care for their own pets, they may be surrendering to those shelters.

As of March 19, and in response to the Covid-19 situation, Bissell is also sponsoring reduced adoption fees through participating shelters as an extension of their Empty the Shelters initiative.  Adoptions of animals, to cover overall shelter costs, can sometimes be upwards of hundreds of dollars.  However, with the help and support of Bissell, adoptions are now as low as $25. 

In a note posted on March 23 by Cathy Bissell, Bissell’s website notes that they will continue to support this effort for as long as their budget will allow.

Adopting a Pet in Summerville

In the Summerville area, Dorchester Paws is a local participant of the Empty the Shelters initiative.  As you might imagine, adoptions are by appointment only to adhere to social distancing guidelines. 

We love that they have pages on their website dedicated to the dogs and cats that are currently available for adoption.

Supporting Shelters in Other Ways

Adopting a pet, especially now, may not be possible for you and your family.  However, there are other ways that you can support a shelter like Dorchester Paws.  For instance, a one-time or monthly monetary gift can help provide for the care and food these animals need.  If you are interested, visit the “Give Today” page on their website to provide your support.

Bissell’s Ongoing Support to Empty the Shelters

Well before the pandemic, Bissell was involved with Empty the Shelters, Feed the Shelters, and Support the Shelters.  If you’re interested in learning more and seeing how you can help on a larger scale, visit their website BissellPetFoundation.org for more information.

For more information about this subject or general questions you can contact:

Courie Dennis with Posh Paws Pet Care, LLC
843.900.0438
Visit our website at PoshPawsPetCareSC.com
Or send us a note from our contact page here.

Courie Dennis with Posh Paws Pet Care, LLC
843.900.0438
Visit our website at PoshPawsPetCareSC.com
Or send us a note from our contact page here.