The Amazing Story of the Bissell Pet Foundation

The BISSELL Pet Foundation is one of our heroes in the campaign to rescue animals in need. Their amazing work is a gift of love and compassion. We share their story in this article and how they’re saving the lives of pets.

Keep reading to learn about the foundation and who founded it. We also share where BISSELL Pet Foundation ranks as a charity. So, let’s get to it!

What Is the Bissell Pet Foundation? 

The name Bissell may sound familiar. You probably recognize it as a brand of vacuums. The company was founded in 1876 by the Bissell family. As a family-owned business, they’re committed to making quality cleaning products. And they’re also dedicated to sustainability, people, and animals. 

BISSELL Pet Foundation supports animal welfare organizations and provides resources to underserved communities. They are committed to reducing the number of animals in shelters through adoption, spay and neuter programs, vaccinations, and microchipping. The Foundation also lends a hand to help animals in need amid crises and disasters. 

The Foundation is a non-profit organization that strives to find every pet a home with the support of individual and corporate donations. In addition, a portion of profits from all BISSELL Inc. products sold directly supports the foundation. 

Who Founded the BISSELL Pet Foundation? 

Cathy Bissell founded the BISSELL Pet Foundation. She’s married to Mark Bissell, the fifth-generation Chairman and CEO of BISSELL Inc.

Cathy has rescued several dogs and formalized her love for animals by starting the Foundation in 2011. She adopted her first black lab in 2008 from a local Humane Society, and the experience changed her perception of animal welfare for the better. 

Why Is Cathy BISSELL So Passionate About Animals?

Cathy Bissell’s passion for animals is what she refers to as her “life calling”. She grew up with various pets, but it was after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that a local animal shelter asked Cathy to help with a fundraiser for the displaced pets. The request led to her touring shelters across the country and facing the enormous homeless pet issue head-on. These circumstances sparked her idea to create the BISSELL Pet Foundation. 

What Does the BISSELL Pet Foundation Do? 

BISSELL Pet Foundation has helped over 614,000 pets. It has awarded over 6,385 grants to animal welfare organizations. The Foundation works tirelessly to save the lives of pets and find them forever homes. They do this through various programs, including sheltering, transporting, disaster response, veterinary assistance, and grants.

Shelter and Adoption Programs

Sheltering and adoption are at the heart of what the BISSELL Pet Foundation does. By seeking to end pet homelessness, their “Empty the Shelters” program makes adoption more affordable. The Foundation partners with rescue organizations and reimburses them for each pet adopted. This means adoptive pet parents pay $50 or less to bring an animal home.

The empty shelters program has given over 138,000 pets a forever home. They gave partnered with shelters in approximately 47 states and Canada.

Transport Programs

BISSELL Pet Foundation also orchestrates a transportation program. They transport pets via ground and air from overcrowded shelters to partner organizations to get animals into adoptive homes. The network they’ve created among shelters saves the lives of dogs and cats regularly. 

Disaster Response

Disaster response is one of the reasons Cathy Bissell started the Foundation. Their National Shelter Alliance program offers crisis management, cruelty response efforts, and planning for shelters during a disaster or crisis. For example, they provide consultations with shelter staff and referrals to industry experts. 

They use their resources and connections to respond promptly and effectively to crises. In addition, their transportation program allows them quick access when animals need to be moved. 

Veterinary Programs

BISSELL Pet Foundation takes on a holistic approach. Their veterinary programs often reach across all of their other services. For example, they provide affordable and accessible spay and neuter clinics and microchipping. 

The Foundation has a veterinarian on staff who provides medical care at their community clinics. In addition, the doctor prepares health certificates needed for pet transport. These services allow the Foundation to be more effective and efficient in helping pets.  

Grants

Grants are essential to ensuring shelters remain available for homeless pets and getting them to forever homes. The Foundation partners with rescue organizations in all 50 states. 

Organizations that qualify for their partner program must be non-profit or government-run shelters, foster-based rescue groups, spay and neuter programs, or low-cost vet clinics.

Is BISSELL Pet Foundation a Good Charity?

BISSELL Pet Foundation is a good charity. They have an excellent reputation in communities across North America. And they guarantee, “100% of your contribution to BISSELL Pet Foundation goes directly to shelters and rescues to support our mission to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. As good stewards of your resources, we do our homework to make the largest possible impact to help every pet find a home.”

How Can I Contribute to the BISSELL Pet Foundation? 

You can contribute monetarily to BISSELL Pet Foundation via a one-time gift, monthly giving, or planned giving. They also provide opportunities for other meaningful ways to donate, including honorariums. 

Pro Tip: Are you ready to bring a rescue dog or cat home? If so, check out our guide to bringing a new dog home. Or our tips for bringing a new cat home.

Partner With BISSELL Pet Foundation to Ensure Every Pet Has a Home

You can join the mission of BISSELL Pet Foundation to ensure every pet has a home. Whether you donate, cheer them on, or look for ways to volunteer at a local shelter, we hope you stay connected with this amazing Foundation.