Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) today announced that the city’s municipal shelter will be participating in the national BISSELL Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event this Saturday, May 5. During the event, BISSELL Pet Foundation is waiving all adoption fees for all animals to help find homes for the many deserving dogs and cats waiting for their second chances.

“One need only look at any of our city’s great parks to see that Chicagoans in every neighborhood know the benefits of the unconditional love of a pet,” said Mayor Emanuel. “While CACC makes an impressive effort to ensure that the thousands of animals that enter their doors can find loving homes, Empty the Shelters is a great opportunity for residents who may be thinking about adopting.”

All dogs and cats available for adoption at CACC are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped prior to adoption. In addition to a new best friend, families who adopt during Empty the Shelters will take home a leash and/or collar along with a wellness booklet provided by BISSELL Pet Foundation.

“We are a small organization doing our best to give every pet a loving home,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Getting animals out of shelters and into homes is critical. Empty the Shelters does just that by encouraging people to choose adoption first.”

Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) is the city’s only municipal-run animal shelter with a mission to protect public safety and promotes the humane care of animals through sheltering, pet placement, education and animal law enforcement. CACC accepts all stray, owner-surrendered, abused and neglected pets, regardless of condition or health status, and serves as the triage center to provide a safe environment and medical treatment when needed.

“Spring is the beginning of the busy season at CACC,” said CACC Executive Director Susan Russell. “We want to make it as easy for Chicagoans to adopt pets and to help as many animals as possible, which is why we are thrilled to partner with BISSELL on this fee-waived adoption event to connect more residents with loving pets."

CACC works diligently to provide the best possible outcome for every animal in their care, and live outcomes have continued to improve over the last five years. Last year, CACC took in nearly 15,000 animals, and 90 percent of cats and 88 percent of dogs left CACC via adoption, transfer, or were returned to their owners. So far in 2018, CACC has maintained a live-release rate of 95 percent for both dogs and cats. CACC also responded to over 40,000 resident requests for services ranging from help with lost pets to concerns about dangerous dogs. CACC works with nearly 200 transfer partners to give pets a second chance to find loving homes. CACC also works with partners to refer Chicagoans to other important free and low-cost services including spay/neuter, vaccines, microchips and more.

Residents can meet adoptable pets during Empty the Shelters on Saturday, May 5th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Chicago Animal Care and Control’s shelter located at 2741 S. Western Avenue.

To learn more, find us on Facebook @ChicagoAnimalCareandControl, visit www.cityofchicago.org/cacc or please call 312-747-1408 or 773-727-4338.

BISSELL Pet Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization supported by BISSELL Homecare, Inc, was founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters and to support organizations dedicated to the humane care and treatment of animals through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care.. Saturday’s Empty the Shelters event will be held in 112 locations across the country. To learn more about BISSELL Pet Foundation and Empty the Shelters, visit: https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters/

###