PRESS RELEASE
Contact: José Joel Delgado-Rivera
Chief Communications Officer
610-816-0695 / jdelgado@berksarl.org
ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE TEAMS UP WITH BISSELL PET FOUNDATION AND DOGTOPIA TO “EMPTY THE SHELTERS”
CUMRU TOWNSHIP, P.a., April 28, 2023 – The Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL) will host a reduced fee adoption event from May 1st through May 7th, 2023, thanks to the support of the Bissell Pet Foundation and Dogtopia. All cats and dogs over six months of age will have a reduced fee of $50 as part of the Spring “Empty the Shelters” national adoption event.
All adopters must go through the ARL’s regular procedures to adopt, including completing an adoption profile and speaking with an adoption counselor to ensure that the pet they select is a good match for their home, family, and lifestyle.
Adopters are encouraged to bring their family members to meet their new pet at the time of adoption and to bring their dogs from home to meet and greet other dogs at the shelter. Dog adopters will also want to bring cash or a check for a $7 dog license, which is required at the time of adoption under PA law. Adopters will also want to bring a cat carrier (or they can purchase one from the ARL for $5) and a dog collar and leash (or purchase one from the ARL).
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.”
The ARL will be open Monday to Friday from 1 – 6:30 PM (waitlist closes at 6 PM) and Saturday and Sunday from 12 – 5 PM (waitlist closes at 4:30 PM); no appointments are necessary. A virtual “line” is set up at www.berksarl.org/hello where guests can check-in when they arrive at the shelter. All guests will be able to check their place in line and be notified by text when it’s their turn to work with an adoption counselor.
For more information, please get in touch with the ARL at adoption@berksarl.org or visit www.berksarl.org.
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Images attached:
Arrow, Teddy, Ezequiel, Snowball, and Joe are available to adopt as of April 28, 2023.
About the Animal Rescue League
The Animal Rescue League of Berks County is a charitable 501c3 organization caring for nearly 5,000 animals each year to help them find second chances in a new home, or to help reunite them with their grateful owners. For 70 years, the organization has worked tirelessly to care for the sick, treat the injured, comfort the unwanted and protect the abused. Whether helping people in need keep their pets through surrender prevention programs, offering low-cost veterinary services and clinics, as well as outreach and education events throughout the county, the ARL’s work goes far beyond the walls of the shelter.
About BISSELL Pet Foundation:
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501©(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 5,700 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Homecare, Inc., where every purchase saves pets. To learn more, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.