Pay $25 To Adopt Dog Or Cat In Martinez, Help Empty The Shelters

MARTINEZ, CA — Thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation, Contra Costans can adopt a new best friend for $25 or less during the upcoming "Empty The Shelters" event.

Contra Costa Animal Services in Martinez is among more than 160 animal shelter and animal rescue organizations across the nation partnering in the reduced-fee adoption event which aims to find fur-ever homes for thousands of cats and dogs.

Also, because fostering pets has become so prevalent amid the coronavirus stay-home orders, BISSELL Pet Foundation says this year it will honor foster-to-adopt cases that start as fosters during the weekend of July 10-12 and are finalized up to one week after the event.

"More pets run away on the 4th of July than any other day of the year," said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "The increase in shelter intake puts pressure on our partners, who are already working with limited staff and funding due to COVID-19. The best way for us to support them is to help their pets find loving homes."

Although the Martinez Shelter remains closed to the public, BISSELL Pet Foundation says participating shelters will work with interested adopters to schedule meet-and-greet appointments that adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines.

All animals included in the ETS promotion are microchipped and spayed/neutered to prevent further pet homelessness.

Find an adoptable animal at a participating location at Bissellpetfoundation.org/ets. Using the filter function on the map, the local shelter's information will populate. For accurate hours of operation and processing procedures, visit the organization's website linked on the page.

"Bringing awareness to adoptable animals in shelters is a priority for BPF," said Bissell. "Over four years, the Empty the Shelters program continues to prove that with a little patience and research, you can find any breed you’re looking for at a shelter near you. It’s really a win-win for homeless pets and adopters."

Since the program began in 2016, Empty the Shelters has found homes for 37,394 pets and counting. During the COVID-19 pandemic alone, 6,231 pets were adopted during two ETS events executed by appointment only. Those unable to adopt may want to consider supporting BISSELL Pet Foundation’s work at Bissellpetfoundation.org/donate.

Here are the nine California participants in this year's "Empty The Shelters" event:

• Antioch Animal Services - Antioch
• Contra Costa Animal Services - Martinez
• Solano County Animal Shelter - Fairfield
• SpcaLA - Los Angeles
• Haven Humane Society - Anderson
• Hayward Animal Services - Hayward
• Oakland Animal Services - Oakland
• Ramona Humane Society - San Jacinto
• Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation - Walnut Creek