Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet foundation. (Credit: Courtesy of BISSELL Pet Foundation)
Finding Forever Homes for America’s Animals
Cathy Bissell’s national animal welfare organization works with partners across the U.S. to reduce the number of animals in shelters, while providing free spaying and neutering programs.
Cathy Bissell started the BISSELL Pet Foundation in 2011, with the goal of addressing the growing problem of pet homelessness. She was inspired by her own experiences with adopting rescue pets, and wanted to help reduce the number of animals in shelters overall by supporting animal adoption efforts and spay/neuter programs. Her goal, when starting up, was to ultimately save as many animals’ lives as possible. Over the years, the foundation has helped hundreds of thousands of pets find homes. Now, Bissell continues to work with shelters, rescues and veterinarians across the U.S. to provide communities – including their furriest members – with essential resources.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
For starters, 100% of every dollar donated to us goes directly to save pets. We don’t use donations for administrative costs, marketing, or anything else. It’s really meaningful for our donors, and something most nonprofits cannot say. We’re a smaller organization, but sometimes small organizations can make a bigger impact because there is no bureaucracy, no layers of approval, or other obstacles to take action.
What is your biggest success to date?
Our Empty the Shelters program – the largest-funded adoption program in the nation. Since 2016, our reduced-fee adoption events have helped find homes for more than 300,000 pets from 800 participating organizations in 48 states, as well as in Canada. The large-scale nature of the program brings awareness to adoption and gets people to visit their local shelter to see pets waiting to be loved. Empty the Shelters has helped change the public perception of adoption, and is a lifesaver for our partners.
We also have a new spay/neuter program called Fix the Future, which is on track to be a monumental success. Through Fix the Future, we deploy veterinarians across the country to provide low-cost or no-cost access to spay/neuter for shelters and pet owners who struggle to find and afford needed care. In just fourteen months, Fix the Future has on-boarded over 300 veterinarians to our network, and has helped more than 66,000 pets from 30 states, preventing millions of unplanned kittens and puppies.
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What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Funding. Even though we have accomplished so much with our existing programs, we could assist more pets and communities with more money. The reality is that the demand for our programs is outpacing our funding, and we need support to make a bigger difference. We are working hard to tell our story to potential donors, foundations and corporations so they will understand the need and the impact their financial gift can make.
Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?:
Over the years, I have brought many pets into my home that weren’t thriving in the shelter, or that needed significant medical attention. I have cared for them, driven them to doctors and specialists, and helped them recover until they were ready to be a family pet. My personal experiences helped me understand how much every life counts and that I must do all I can for them.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
You have to have passion. Whether you are leading a nonprofit or a corporation, if you don’t believe in what you are doing, you will burn out or let obstacles get in your way. Passion will give you the courage to try bold things, and will help you be open to turning setbacks into opportunities.
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
We see and learn about many heartbreaking situations, and often, I lie awake at night thinking about them. While I can’t save every pet, the knowledge that I can take action to save more of them is my driving force, every day. I believe humans have an ethical responsibility to care for domesticated animals – cats and dogs are dependent on humans for survival. They need caring people who can be their voice. They are my inspiration, and I can’t let them down.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
“Don’t Stop Believing’” by Journey.
Who is your most important role model?
My mother. She instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and compassion, which has shaped my commitment to giving back. Her values, combined with her support and encouragement, inspired me to use my platform to make a positive difference in the world and played a significant role in my decision to start my foundation. She is 91 years old and going strong. She inspires me and everyone who knows her.
Instagram: @Bissellpets
Facebook: @Bissellpets
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