by Wendy Welch

The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) hopes to find loving homes for nearly 100 dogs, cats and small mammals on Saturday, April 29, a free adoption day.

The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. HSHV is not affiliated with any other humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way.

BISSELL Pet Foundation will be picking up the adoption fees for those who adopt a pet from HSHV on April 29, 2017. This is BISSELL’s third annual “Empty the Shelter” event, and the first in which HSHV will be participating. Last year, more than 2,800 pets in nearly 90 shelters found homes during BISSELL’s Empty the Shelters events.

BISSELL Pet Foundation, a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters and to support organizations dedicated to the humane care and treatment of animals through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care.

“We’re so excited,” says Krista Donohoo, HSHV’s Adoption Manager. “Puppies and kittens get adopted right away, but we have wonderful adult animals who’ve been looking for homes—and Empty the Shelters helps get them attention. They say nearly half of the people who adopted during previous Empty the Shelter events had never adopted at a shelter before, so we’re looking forward to their seeing HSHV and meeting their new best friend here.”

While the term “free adoption” can alarm some animal lovers who think unscrupulous people may adopt, HSHV reminds people that their adoption policies remain the same—whatever the fee.

“Whether they’re paying an adoption fee or not, we meet with every potential adopter to discuss the real costs of caring for a pet,” says Donohoo. “And not only do studies show it—but we’ve also seen ourselves that people who don’t pay a fee when they adopt a pet, or have someone else pay the fee like BISSELL, are no more likely to return their animal, value their companions the same way people who pay fees do, and care for their animals just as much, too. It’s really the match, not the money, that matters, and we try hard to help people find the pets who will best fit their family and lifestyle.”

HSHV encourages those who want to take advantage of the BISSELL-sponsored free adoption day to complete an application earlier and drop it off at the shelter prior to Saturday. Applications can be downloaded at www.hshv.org/howtoadopt. Adopters must be age 21 or over, and bring government-issued ID with current address—or government-issued ID with a current utility bill or lease with their correct address. Those who already have a dog and wish to adopt another dog must bring their current dog and at least one other adult to help handle their dog on Saturday. See the animals available for adoption at www.hshv.org/adopt.

Every adult animal adopted at HSHV been spayed or neutered and microchipped, and is up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations, and comes with a discounted veterinary exam at HSHV’s full-service veterinary clinic.  In addition to a new best friend, families who adopt during Empty the Shelters will receive BISSELL’s AdoptBox™, while supplies last—a box full of treats, toys and clean-up tools for pet owners.

HSHV will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.