MURFREESBORO, TN. - With animal shelters across the nation facing an overcrowding crisis, thousands of highly adoptable pets are waiting for their second chances. PAWS is proud to partner with BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, for its Fall National “Empty the Shelters.” From Oct. 1 - 15, BISSELL Pet Foundation will sponsor reduced adoption fees of $50 or less at more than 345 shelters in 42 states.

• PAWS will participate Oct. 1 - 15 at 285 John R. Rice Blvd. here in Murfreesboro, offering adoptions at no cost for all adorable pets here at the shelter.

• All interested adopters can find more details regarding adoption requirements, adoptable pets, and more online at paws.rutherfordcountytn.gov.

  

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event is the largest funded adoption event in the country. With a goal of encouraging more families to choose adoption, this lifesaving effort has helped more than 190,000 pets find loving homes since 2016. As BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest program, a total of 687 animal welfare organizations in 49 states and Canada have participated throughout the years. During BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” quarterly national events, an average of 1,225 shelter pets are adopted each day.

"Our nation’s animal shelters are facing an overcrowding crisis unlike anything we have experienced in more than a decade. The devastating increase in owner surrenders and stray intakes has left tens of thousands of socialized, house-trained, and leash-trained pets desperate to find a home," said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Our Fall National ‘Empty the Shelters' will support the adoption of thousands of pets across the country, helping shelters in this critical time. Opening your home to a shelter pet saves a life and creates space to give another pet a chance."

“Nearly 350 pets have found furr-ever homes at PAWS during Empty the Shelters in the past! I think I can speak for everyone when I say, we are looking forward to watching that number grow and seeing so many happy tails this fall.” Gracie Hill, Public Relations Specialist.

Adoption is a lifetime commitment. BISSELL Pet Foundation and PAWS urge families to do their research about the pet they are interested in adopting, as well as adoption requirements. For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters as well as paws.rutherfordcountytn.gov.

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 crisis and disaster response. 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 6,000 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. 

Rutherford County Pet Adoption & Welfare Services is working in partnership with the community to create a safe, healthy and caring environment for both our citizens and animals through education, adoption and courteous, effective enforcement of the Tennessee Codes annotated relating to animals and the rules & regulations pertaining to control of animals in Rutherford County.