Holiday Hope Reduced Fee Adoption Event Aims to Find Loving Homes for Pets
For Immediate Release
Contact: Erin Long, Marketing & Development Manager | Humane Society of Harford County | 410-836-1090, x106 | erin@harfordshelter.org
Fallston, MD (November 28, 2025) – The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) is joining the BISSELL Pet Foundation for its Empty the Shelters Holiday Hope reduced-fee adoption event, taking place December 1-15, 2025.
BISSELL Pet Foundation is sponsoring reduced adoption fees at 300+ shelters across 40 states to help make pet adoption more affordable this holiday season. At HSHC, adoption fees during the event will be $50 for dogs and $30 for cats. Eligible animals must be at least one year old. The reduced fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, testing for communicable diseases, flea and tick prevention, and a microchip.
“This year has placed enormous pressure on shelters across the country, as more families face financial hardship and housing changes that force them to surrender beloved pets,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “If you’re considering adding a pet to your family, adoption has so many benefits. Shelters have desirable pets of every size and age—many who have lived in homes, are house-trained, already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ready to become part of your family—all for a fraction of the cost of buying from a breeder or pet store. Our Empty the Shelters Holiday Hope event is a chance for all of us to end the year by giving shelter pets what they deserve most—a loving home.”
During the 15-day event, HSHC will be open weekdays from 11AM-6PM and weekends from 10AM-5PM at 2208 Connolly Road in Fallston. Regular adoption procedures apply. Visit harfordshelter.org/animals to view all the adoptable pets and learn more.
“During the last Empty the Shelters event, 23 cats and 17 dogs were adopted in just two weeks,” said Amanda Hickman, HSHC’s executive director. “Another 26 animals found homes outside the promotion but benefited from the increased visibility.”
Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event and has helped more than 374,000 pets find homes across the U.S. and Canada since its inception in 2016. Sponsored by BISSELL Pet Foundation, the program works with hundreds of animal welfare organizations to reduce adoption fees and make pet adoption accessible to more families. All pets available through participating shelters are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Each shelter determines its own adoption process—prospective adopters are encouraged to contact shelters directly for details.
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, vaccinations, 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 more than 6,000 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Inc. where every purchase saves pets. To learn more, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.
About the Humane Society of Harford County
The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the approximately 3,400 animals that come in each year. HSHC promotes the kind treatment of homeless, stray and abandoned animals by providing shelter, care, adoptions, and community education. HSHC is not a county agency nor is it affiliated with any national or regional organization. Tax-deductible donations, bequests, and proceeds from events are crucial to HSHC’s life-saving efforts on behalf of the animals in the community.