County animal shelter one of many local animal welfare groups part of Bissell’s ‘Empty the Shelters’ campaign

Kent County Animal Shelter’s Angela Hollinshead with “George” — who has since found a home. But there are many more like George awaiting. (KC Animal Shelter)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

The Kent County Animal Shelter’s staff members are always enthusiastic about participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” fall event, which starts next week, not only for the funding provided to support the adoption event but also for the publicity to make people aware of the event.

But they also know there is always a need for sheltering needy animals, and a year-around need to support current and possible future animal lovers in finding their perfect housemates.

“Bissell is wonderful in that they provide all the resources shelters need through media sites to make people aware of the event, as well as funding it,” Angela Hollinshead, division director of the Kent County Animal Shelter, said to WKTV. But “we will always need adopters. There will always be a need for people willing to adopt the pets that come through our door.”

The Bissell Pet Foundation’s fall national “Empty the Shelters” adoption event, running Oct. 4-10, is a quarterly effort that has helped more than 61,787 pets in shelters find their “forever homes” by sponsoring reduced adoption fees for $25 or less. This fall’s event will be hosted in more than 180 shelters in 38 states, including about 11 in West Michigan, including the Kent County Animal Shelter.

Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, Bissell Pet Foundation began its “Empty the Shelters” campaign in 2016 by sponsoring adoptions across the country and in Canada.

“Shelters are in dire need of support in the wake of natural disasters and overcrowding due to obstacles such as increased length of stay and slowed adoptions for mid-to-large sized dogs,” Bissell said in supplied material. “Our fall ‘Empty the Shelters’ will support the adoption of thousands of pets across the country, helping shelters in this time of crisis. Opening your home to a shelter pet will save a life and create space to give another pet a chance.”

Among the participating West Michigan shelters are Al-Van Humane Society, Crash’s Landing, Faithful to Felines, Harbor Humane Society, Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven, Humane Society of West Michigan, SPCA of Southwest Michigan, Van Buren County Animal Control and Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance.

Because every shelter is not participating for the full event, potential adopters are encouraged to visit the “Empty Shelters” website to find the nearest participating shelter and confirm their adoption day details.

Animal rescue, adoption efforts are year-round

“The pets who come to us are not broken or damaged, oftentimes coming to us through circumstances that are no fault of their own,” Hollinshead said. “We have met some truly wonderful animals.”

While the pet intake numbers fluctuate from month-to-month, Hollinshead said that they take in approximately 142 animals per month.

Need a little, or big, companion while working from home? Kent County Animal Shelter may have a perfect match awaiting. (KC Animal Shelter)

“These events help us a lot because we don’t turn away stray animals,” she said. “The reduced adoption fee helps us find homes for pets who have been here longer.”

Since 2019, Hollinshead has also noted a 48 percent decrease in pets coming into the shelter due to resources they are now able to offer current pet owners. Some of the resources available include spaying and neutering, food resources, and a behavior specialist who can help pet owners with training for their animals.

“These options allow us to focus more on each individual pet and its needs and provide better outcomes,” Hollinshead said.

If an individual or family is not able to adopt, Hollinshead also encourages community members to consider fostering shelter animals, volunteering at the shelter, and raising awareness of the need for continued help from the community.

Located on Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids, the Kent County Animal Shelter will be participating for the full duration of the event, Oct. 4-9. Potential adopters may contact the shelter at 616-632-7300 if they have any questions.

For more information on BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” fall event, visit here.