Louisville Metro Animal Services and Kentucky Humane Society Waive Adoption Fees for Adult Dogs and Cats during National “Empty the Shelters” Event
Adoption Event Sponsored by BISSELL Pet Foundation to Find Urgently Needed Homes for Animals across the Country
The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) and Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) have announced they are waiving adoption fees for adult cats and dogs as part of a national “Empty the Shelters” event sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation. LMAS is also waiving adoption fees for puppies and kittens. “Empty the Shelters” will take place Saturday, October 1 through Saturday, October 8.
Like shelters across the nation, LMAS and the KHS have been at-capacity in recent months and are struggling to find loving homes for their animals. Strays and owner-surrenders have skyrocketed, while adoptions have decreased – not just in Louisville, but across the country.
To encourage local families to adopt during “Empty the Shelters,” the shelters adoption fees are:
-LMAS AND KHS waived adoption fees for adult cats and dogs, 1-year and older
-LMAS is also waiving adoption fees for all kittens and puppies
-Adopters in Jefferson County will still be required to a purchase a 1-year pet license, a requirement of the Louisville Animal Ordinance
To view adoptable animals and learn how to adopt at each shelter visit:
LMAS: Animal Services | LouisvilleKY.gov
“Never have we been more concerned about losing our status as a No Kill Shelter for five consecutive years, now,” said Ashely Book, interim shelter director, LMAS. “More animals entering the shelter, combined with adoptable pets going for weeks without being adopted, has put unprecedented strain on our efforts to save lives and we can’t do it without our community’s support. We encourage anyone that’s looking for a furry companion, to take advantage of Empty the Shelters and all free adoptions, this weekend.”
“If you’ve been thinking about adopting, now is the time to do it,” said Karen Koenig, Vice President of Animal Welfare, KHS. “We haven’t seen this sustained level of homeless animals in our local shelters in a long time. When you adopt during Empty the Shelters, you’re not just saving the life of your new pet, you’re helping make room for the shelter to help even more desperate animals.”
“It has been a challenging year for our nation’s animal shelters. The devastating increase in owner surrenders has left thousands of socialized, house-trained and leash-trained pets desperate to find a home,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Our fall’ 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.”
BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event is the largest funded adoption event in the country and hosted by more than 280 shelters in 42 states. With a goal of encouraging more families to choose adoption, this lifesaving effort has helped nearly 118,000 pets find loving homes since 2016. “Empty the Shelters” is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest program, partnering with a total of 541 animal welfare organizations in 47 states and Canada to reduce adoption fees.
Adoption is a lifetime commitment. BISSELL Pet Foundation, LMAS and the KHS 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 Animal Services | LouisvilleKY.gov and kyhumane.org.
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, vaccinations, microchipping and emergency support. 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 more than 5,600 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Inc. where every purchase saves pets. To learn more, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.