13 Arizona animal rescue groups participating in holiday Empty the Shelters adoption event

PHOENIX — Animal shelters across Arizona are offering free and/or reduced-price pet adoptions during the first half of December as part of a national campaign called Empty the Shelters — Holiday Hope.

The following 13 Grand Canyon State pet rescue organizations are among more than 400 groups across the U.S. participating in the Dec. 1-17 event:

• Arizona Animal Welfare League (Phoenix)
• Arizona Humane Society (Phoenix)
• Chino Valley Animal Shelter
• Friends of Pima Animal Care Center (Tucson)
• Holbrook AA Animal Care and Control
• Humane Society of Central Arizona (Payson)
• Humane Society of Sedona
• Humane Society Of Yuma, Inc.
• Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (Phoenix)
• Pinal County Animal Care and Control (Casa Grande)
• The Western Arizona Humane Society (Lake Havasu)
• Verde Valley Humane Society (Cottonwood)
• Yavapai Humane Society (Prescott)

The Maricopa County Animal Care and Control event only covers dogs, while the others include dogs and cats.

The adoption deals vary by location, with some shelters waiving all fees. Potential adopters should contact a participating organization for details about the cost and dates of their special offers.

An interactive map showing the locations in Arizona and nationwide can be found on the Empty the Shelters website.

What is Empty the Shelters?

The BISSELL Pet Foundation sponsors multiple Empty the Shelters campaigns throughout the year, reimbursements shelters for adoptions so families can bring a home a pet for $50 or less.

The nation’s largest funded adoption program has helped more than 300,000 animals find forever homes since its inception in 2016.

“It has been an incredibly challenging year for saving lives, as our nation’s shelters continue to take in more pets than they are adopting out. Tens of thousands of shelter pets — of all breeds, ages and personalities — are desperately in need of homes,” Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, said in a press release. “Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope is more than an adoption event; it’s a lifeline for homeless pets.”

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