Citrus County Animal Services Participating in Nationwide Spring Adoption Event

BISSELL Pet Foundation and Dogtopia Team Up to “Empty the Shelters”

BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, is excited to announce it will team up with Dogtopia for the foundation’s first “Empty the Shelters” national adoption event of 2023. From May 1 to May 15, 2023, BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National “Empty the Shelters” will occur at more than 350 shelters in 45 states with pets available for adoption for just $50 or less, including Citrus County Animal Services (CCAS).

During this event, all CCAS adoption fees are waived; Citrus County residents are only responsible for a
$10 pet license.

“We are tail-waggin’, catnip-level excited and full-belly happy to be back at it again thanks to Cathy
Bissell, BISSELL Pet Foundation, and Dogtopia,” said CCAS Director Colleen Yarbrough.
Since the 2016 inception of BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters,” nearly 140,000 pets at
605 animal welfare organizations in 47 states and Canada have received second chances. An average of
1,000 shelter pets are adopted each day during each quarterly national event. Through this partnership
and continued support, the foundation is looking forward to reaching more pets in more shelters and
communities during this upcoming event.

“BISSELL Pet Foundation’s ‘Empty the Shelters’ is proven to make a lifesaving difference, and we are
thrilled to team up with Dogtopia, who shares our vision to give every pet their best life,” said Cathy
Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “This is a very difficult time for shelters across the
country, with increasing owner surrenders due to the housing crisis and inflation as well as slowed
adoption rates. With Dogtopia’s partnership, we are hopeful more pets than ever will find homes during
this national event.”

BISSELL Pet Foundation and CCAS urge families to do their research about the pet they are interested
in adopting, as well as adoption requirements. For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty
the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters or www.citrusbocc.com/findapet.