Foundation, BTAA aim to 'Empty the Shelter'

Do you need a fur-ever friend?

With the help of the Bissell Pet Foundation, Better Together Animal Alliance has you covered.

The program, which waives adoption fees for all cats and adult dogs, runs through Dec. 11.

BTAA is one of more than 275 participating facilities taking part. As part of the program, BTAA will waive adoption fees for all cats (including kittens) and dogs over 1 year old.

BTAA is one of more than 275 participating facilities taking part. As part of the program, BTAA will waive adoption fees for cats over 6 months old and dogs over 1 year old. "As the nation’s largest funded adoption event, Empty the Shelters has helped almost 126,000 pets find loving homes through sponsoring reduced adoption fees of $50 or less, foundation officials said in a press release.

“Shelters are overcrowded and in desperate need of support due to slowed adoption rates and increased length of stay for pets," Cathy Bissell, who founded the foundation in 2011, said. “With so many people seeking to add pets to their family around this time of year, our Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope event is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your community by saving a life and creating space to give another homeless pet a chance.”

In the past 11 years, the event has touched the alliance that serves Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties. BTAA is not affiliated with any city or county governments and receives no tax support.

BTAA supports people and their pets to prevent unnecessary owner surrenders, shelters lost pets and provides a safe place for pets while they wait to find new homes.

BTAA officials said the alliance helps roughly 2,400 stray or surrendered animals every year and over 6,000 pets through its community-based programs.

BTAA is located at 870 Kootenai Cutoff Road, Ponderay.

Information: bettertogetheranimalalliance.org