The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia participated alongside more than 300 animal shelters across the country in BISSELL Pet Foundation’s 10th annual Empty the Shelters event.

Photos courtesy of the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia.

Photos courtesy of the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia.

During the 17-day event, HSNEGA  lowered its adoption fees to $50 for dogs and cats six months and older. The BISSELL Foundation covered the remainder of the adoption costs. Locally, HSNEGA helped 79 pets find homes, while 16,073 pets were saved through the promotion from other participating shelters.

The initiative aims to bring relief to animal shelters facing ongoing capacity challenges.

"This event was an incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact on Northeast Georgia families," said Sandy Holiday, HSNEGA Executive Director. "While we are excited to celebrate these 79 adoptions, our mission doesn't stop here. We rely on the ongoing support of our community through donations, fostering, and volunteering to ensure we can continue to rehome animals quickly and reduce their length of stay."

Kathleen Delehanty, HSNEGA Director, Shelter Operations, explained that the shelter is currently in "puppy  and kitten season," meaning the  organization is getting  many requests to take unexpected litters.

"We are just every day getting multiple applications, emails, phone calls with families that  have an unexpected litter, and they're trying to find somewhere to take them, but it's also part of the overpopulation problem, " Delehanty said. "... There are a lot of people that are facing facing housing insecurity, food insecurity, and no one wants to make that choice to give up their beloved pet, but unfortunately, a lot of people are facing issues with that."

Delehanty also noted that the event's success extends beyond the animals adopted this month.

"Watching 79 of our residents walk out the door is the ultimate reward, but it also opens up kennel space for the next animals in need," Delehanty said. "We are incredibly grateful to BISSELL Pet Foundation for helping us facilitate these matches."

To view currently adoptable pets or learn how to support the shelter, click here.