Adoption Event Aims to Ease Pressure on Animal Shelters This Summer
As summer brings a wave of kittens and puppies to animal shelters, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is stepping in with their much-anticipated Empty the Shelters® adoption event. Taking place from July 5 to 19, 2026, this nationwide initiative seeks to combat pet homelessness by making adoptions more accessible and affordable.
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) is an enthusiastic participant in this effort, aligning with animal welfare organizations across the U.S. to find homes for more pets. During the event, adoption fees are significantly reduced, thanks to the sponsorship of the BISSELL Pet Foundation. Puppies aged five months and under have a fee of $150, small dogs under 25 pounds are $70, while adoption fees for medium to large dogs six months and older are waived entirely. All animals adopted are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
The summer season often poses challenges for shelters, with an influx of litters and increased owner surrenders, all while volunteer resources dwindle. Empty the Shelters offers crucial support by promoting adoption and freeing up space for other animals in need.
“Every summer, shelters face the greatest pressure of pet overpopulation,” explained Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “We are deeply committed to addressing the root causes of overcrowding through spay and neuter — but until prevention can meet the scale of the crisis, our adoption events are a lifeline for shelters and the pets in their care. We hope you’ll open your heart and your home to a shelter pet this summer.”
MCACC’s previous partnership with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for the event from June 3 to 7 saw over 200 dogs find new homes. This success fuels excitement for the upcoming longer event and the potential for even more adoptions.
“We are thrilled to have another sponsored adoption event to encourage more adoptions this summer,” said Kim Powell, Communications Supervisor for MCACC. “We are always so thankful to have the support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, but we are even more thankful for their help with finding pets loving homes as we see an increase in the number of dogs this time of year. Every adoption truly makes a difference, especially during this busiest time of the year!”
Event Details:
- MCACC will participate from July 5-19 at both its shelters and Everyday Adoption Center, with waived adoption fees for dogs six months and older. Puppies 5 months and younger will have reduced fees of $150, and small dogs 25lbs and under are $70.
- Visit Maricopa.gov/Pets for more information on adoptable pets and event hours.
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