Some context
According to a Dec. 4 news release, more than 400 organizations across 45 states are participating in the annual initiative, which aims to encourage families to choose adoption by offering reduced-fee adoptions. Since it's inception in 2016, the annual event has resulted in more than 300,000 animal adoptions nationwide.
"It has been an incredibly challenging year for saving lives, as our nation's shelters continue to take in more pets than they are adopting out. Tens of thousands of shelter pets—of all breeds, ages and personalities—are desperately in need of homes," BFP Founder Cathy Bissell said in a statement. "Empty the Shelters-Holiday Hope is more than an adoption event; it's a lifeline for shelter pets."
How it works
Through the initiative, adopters pay no more than $50 to adopt a pet, which comes spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, according to the BFP website.
Participating animal welfare organizations across the Greater Houston area for this year's event, include:
- BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions: 3300 Carr St., Houston
- Adoption hours: Tue.-Sun., noon-5 p.m.; closed Mon.
- Adoption fees: waived for all cats, kittens and adult dogs, $25 for puppies
- Bayou Animal Services & Adoption Center: 3100 Deats Road, Dickinson
- Adoption hours: Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sun.-Mon.
- Adoption fees: $30 for all adoptable animals
- Galveston County Animal Resource Center: 3412 25th Ave. N., Texas City
- Adoption hours: Tue. and Thu., noon-6 p.m.; Wed. and Fri., noon-5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sun.-Mon.
- Adoption fees: $35 for all adoptable animals
- Harris County Pets: 612 Canino Road, Houston
- Adoption hours: Mon.-Fri., 1-5 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- Adoption fees: waived for all adoptable animals
- Houston Humane Society: 14700 Almeda Road, Houston
- Adoption hours: Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
- Adoption fees: $25 for all adoptable animals
- League City Animal Care: 755 W. Walker St., League City
- Adoption hours: Tue. and Thu.-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.; closed Mon. and Wed.
- Adoption fees: waived for all adoptable animals
- Montgomery County Animal Services: 8535 Hwy. 242, Conroe
- Adoption hours: Tue.-Sun., 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mon.
- Adoption fees: $10 (cats), $10-$20 (dogs)
- Rosenberg Animal Control & Shelter: 1207 Blume Road, Rosenberg
- Adoption hours: Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sun.
- Adoption fees: waived for all adoptable animals
- Special Pals: 3830 Greenhouse Road, Houston
- Adoption hours: daily, noon-4 p.m.
- Adoption fees: reduced for adult dogs and cats
What they're saying
Like many of the participating animal shelters, Harris County Pets has dealt with overcrowding this year. In May, officials noted the shelter was over capacity by at least 300 animals, as previously reported by Community Impact. Corey Steele, director of Harris County Veterinary Public Health—which oversees Harris County Pets—said BPF's Empty the Shelter initiative plays an important role in combatting overcrowding at the shelter every year.
"We are thrilled to partner with Bissell Pet Foundation once again for the Empty the Shelters event his holiday season," Steel said in a statement. "Adopting or fostering a pet during this event not only saves an animal's life but also helps alleviate overcrowding in shelters like ours."
However, Steele emphasized that all adopters—especially first-time adopters—should do proper research to ensure they're ready and able to take on the responsibility of adopting a pet prior to making that decision.
"For first-time adopters, it's essential to understand that bringing a pet into your home is a lifetime commitment—a responsibility that can bring countless rewards if that animal is provided with love, care and a safe environment," Steele said. "By choosing adoption, you are giving a deserving pet the second chance they need while making a positive impact in our community."
