Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is among the shelters participating in BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters event on Saturday, May 4. Families or individuals who want to give a furry friend a forever home will pay only $25 to adopt a pet because BISSELL Pet Foundation is sponsoring the remaining cost.
"We are grateful to the BISSELL Pet Foundation for its Empty the Shelters event," said Bob Gatt, manager of Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center. "Hundreds of dogs and cats now live in loving homes because BISSELL Pet Foundation raised awareness and sponsored some adoption fees."
Saturday's event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, which is located at 1200 North Telegraph, Building 42 East in Pontiac. Pre-registration is recommended, but not required. Go to oakgov.com/petadoption, click on the "Pet Adoption Center" tab and select the "Adoptions" link. From there, download and fill out the pet adoption application. Email the application to petadoption@oakgov.com or fax it to 248-858-7449. The deadline for applications for the BISSELL Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters event is Friday, May 3 at 5 p.m.
"Pre-registration streamlines the adoption process and gets you and your new, furry family member home more quickly," said Joanie Toole, chief of the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center. "All pets adopted from the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center are fully vetted, up-to-date on their vaccinations, microchipped and spayed or neutered."
Individuals who do not pre-register will be able to fill out an application at the shelter the day of the event.
Over 110 shelters in 20 states and in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Canada will participate in the Empty the Shelters event. Since the program began in 2017, nearly 20,000 pets have found their forever homes through 10 Empty the Shelters events. Of those, more than 360 pets were adopted from the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center.
"Shelters are more crowded than ever, and we have to help them," said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Empty the Shelters brings awareness for adoption and makes people consider bringing a pet into their home, whether it's their first pet or an addition to their pack. It's been an extremely successful program to save lives and we hope this event will help thousands of pets get the second chance they deserve."
Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center, under the leadership of County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, offers housing and medical care to about 4,000 animals on an annual basis. It also is the public agency charged with enforcement of Michigan's Dog Law of 1919. It is responsible for complete animal control services in 45 Oakland County communities. The Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center strives to continually improve its save and adoption rates. Staff work toward this goal by educating Oakland County residents about responsible pet ownership, partnering with local 501(c)(3) rescues to help place more animals into loving homes, and participating in nine satellite pet adoption outreach centers.
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Homecare, Inc. Up to $10 for every pet product purchased helps fund the foundation's mission.
Published: Wed, May 01, 2019
