BISSELL Pet Foundation Awards More Than $635,000 to Animal Welfare Organizations in 2013

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF), which is supported in part by BISSELL Homecare Inc., contributed more than $635,000 to 90 animal welfare organizations across the country in only its second year.  

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"With literally millions of homeless pets euthanized every year in the U.S., we focus on funding programs that will do the most to change this heartbreaking outcome," explains Cathy BISSELL, Founder of the BISSELL Pet Foundation. "It brings me and my team so much joy to know we are helping to save the lives of thousands of animals through these grant awards."

Since the Foundation's inception in December of 2011, over $1.1 million in support has been given to animal shelters and rescues in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Spay and neuter programs have received the largest amount of funding with over $450,000 allocated to this focus area.  Over 72 percent of these funds helped provide access to sterilization services for the public, preventing countless unwanted litters from entering our nation's shelters and rescues.  In the short time the Foundation has been in existence, their assistance has saved countless lives due to spay and neuter alone.

Award decisions are made by the BPF Grant Review Committee, consisting of individuals who have dedicated years to animal welfare.  The Committee's experience provides a familiarity with the needs of, and an incredible passion for, the animal welfare community.  BPF is strongly committed to reducing the number of pets in shelters and rescues and ensures funds are used to directly care for pets in need.

A Real Commitment to Helping Every Pet Find a Home
BISSELL Homecare, Inc. has committed up to $250,000 annually in donations to the BISSELL Pet Foundation based on pet product sales. For every BISSELL pet product sold on bissell.com, a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Foundation. Purchases made in-store can be activated online at bissell.com/savespets.  BISSELL also offers a way for online shoppers to support a local shelter or rescue with their bissell.com pet product purchases.  Shoppers can designate their donation through BISSELL Partners for Pets  (P4P), a program developed to assist animal welfare organizations with their fundraising efforts through BISSELL's generous donation program.

Facebook Sweepstakes Provides Opportunity for You to Help
BISSELL consumers can do even more to support homeless pets this holiday season by participating in the Partners for Pets' Hope for the Holidays Contest.  One lucky P4P Facebook fan can designate a donation of $1,000 each day, from December 9^th through December 20^th, to the P4P member organization of their choice and win a BISSELL product.  For more information or to enter, visit www.facebook.com/bissellpartnersforpets

For more information, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org. 

About BISSELL Pet Foundation
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters and to support organizations dedicated to the humane care and treated of animals through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. The foundation is supported to BISSELL Homecare, Inc., a 137-year-old Grand Rapids-based floor care appliance brand in its fourth generation of family leadership.

SOURCE BISSELL Homecare Inc.