Young-Williams Animal Center seeks to ‘Empty the Shelters’ with BISSELL Pet Foundation’s ‘Holiday Hope’

Adoption event held nationwide finds forever homes for homeless pets

BISSELL Pet Foundation is bringing holiday hope to homeless pets across the country, including Young-Williams Animal Center, by offering reduced-fee pet adoptions through Dec. 13.

All adoptable pets at the shelter, excluding puppies, can be adopted for $25, and BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF) will sponsor the remainder of the adoption fee. To adopt, apply online and schedule an appointment between now and Dec. 13. The foundation’s event, Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope, supports nearly 170 shelters nationwide.

“It is always a busy time at the shelter at the end of the year, and we want to get our pets into safe and loving homes for the holidays,” Young-Williams Animal Center CEO Janet Testerman says. “We are grateful to BISSELL Pet Foundation to again get to be a part of this nationwide initiative to save shelter pets.

It also is important to remember that adoption is a long-term commitment, so please discuss a new pet with your family, especially if the animal is intended as a gift. Our staff can help you make the best choice as we all work together to get adoptable animals into forever homes.”

The adoption special at Young-Williams Animal Center started Dec. 9 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 13. Pets will be available for adoption at the main shelter at 3201 Division St., off Sutherland Avenue, and the Animal Village satellite adoption location at 6400 Kingston Pike. Both locations are open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with a break from 1-2 p.m. for animal quiet time.

Following social distancing guidelines, Young-Williams Animal Center staff will allow 10 guests in the shelter at a time, five on the cat adoption floor and five on the dog adoption floor.

Adoption staff will help potential adopters find the right pet for their lifestyle and needs and complete the application process online, over the phone and by email. Every animal adopted at Young-Williams Animal Center during the special promotion will receive the same services covered by the regular adoption fees, which include a veterinary exam, spay/neuter surgery, some standard vaccinations, a microchip with registration and more.

Despite this year’s challenges, BPF has remained vigilant in its mission to find loving homes for shelter pets. This marks BPF’s seventh Empty the Shelter (ETS) event in 2020 alone. Since the program’s inception in 2016, ETS has helped more than 40,550 shelter pets find homes.

“It’s so important to choose adoption,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “So many people want to bring a pet into their home at this time of year. With the overwhelming number of pets in shelters, why not give them a chance? Without you, there really is no tomorrow, so please consider adoption first.”

Save a life by choosing adoption or donation to ETS at bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters-donations.

About BISSELL Pet Foundation:
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and emergency support. 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 5,000 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.

About Young-Williams Animal Center
The vision of Young-Williams Animal Center is “a home for every pet.” It is the municipal shelter of the City of Knoxville and Knox County, and each year takes in more than 9,000 animals.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Young-Williams Animal Center serves the needs of lost, unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals. The center’s mission is to lead the community to end pet homelessness, promote animal welfare and enhance the human-animal bond through the shelter and placement of animals, spay/neuter initiatives and public education of companion animal issues. Young-Williams Animal Center reminds pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.

Young-Williams Animal Center’s main facility is located off Sutherland Avenue at 3201 Division Street. Young-Williams Animal Village satellite adoption location and public spay/neuter program is located at 6400 Kingston Pike.

Both locations are open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The shelter closes from 1-2 p.m. for an hour of quiet time for the animals. For more information about Young-Williams Animal Center, call 865-215-6599 or visit http://www.young-williams.org//.