• by Tanya Gazdik , December 15, 2013

The Bissell Pet Foundation awarded more than $635,000 to 90 animal welfare organizations in 2013.

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 P4P Facebook fan can designate a donation of $1,000 each day, from Dec. 9 through Dec. 20, to the P4P member organization of their choice and win a Bissell product. 

Since the foundation's inception in December 2011, more than $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. More than 72% of these funds helped provide access to sterilization services for the public, preventing countless unwanted litters from entering our nation's shelters and rescues. 

"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," said Cathy Bissell, founder of the Bissell Pet Foundation, in a release. "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."

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.

Bissell Homecare, Inc. has committed up to $250,000 annually in donations to the 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 donation program.