BISSELL and Petfinder.com Foundation Join Paws to Support Pet Adoption in 2011

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the pet industry's top dogs gather in Orlando, Fla. for Global Pet Expo, BISSELL Homecare Inc., a longtime sponsor and advocate for pet adoption, announces that it will continue to support the pet community in 2011 through a series of grants to the Petfinder.com Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that works to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets by providing resources and support services to animal adoption organizations across North America.

BISSELL's research shows that almost two in five (38%) Americans would add a pet to their home if cleaning up after them were an easy job. To help spread the word that pet clean-up need not be a deterrent and rally consumers around pet adoption, BISSELL will invite pet lovers to join in the effort via its Facebook page. For each new fan that registers on BISSELL's Facebook page beginning this summer, the company will make a donation to the Petfinder.com Foundation in order to reach its goal of contributing a total of $50,000. BISSELL's $50,000 gift to the foundation will directly fund numerous shelters and rescue groups in need of help, and will serve to arm pet parents with the knowledge and tools they need to care for their furry companions.

"We are so pleased to continue BISSELL's long history of supporting pet causes by joining forces with the Petfinder.com Foundation this year," said Rich Sorota, senior vice president and general manager of global marketing and sales for BISSELL. "As a company, we are passionate about supporting the pet community, and this expansion of our 10-year relationship with Petfinder.com will allow us to educate even more Americans about one of the major barriers to adoption – cleaning up after pets."

BISSELL's support of the Petfinder.com Foundation will consist of several grants designed to reach a number of shelters across North America, with one larger grant funding an Animal Lifeline trip in 2011. Animal Lifeline is a support organization for rescues, shelters and municipal groups that partners with the Petfinder.com Foundation to take groups of student volunteers and animal care professionals to provide education and resources to rural shelters in great need.

Each shelter that receives a BISSELL-funded grant also will participate in the Partners for Pets program, a partnership between BISSELL and LostPetUSA.net that provides qualified animal rescue and adoption organizations with discounts for pet lovers and shelter supporters, giving supporters free shipping and 10 percent off of select pet products on bissell.com. BISSELL will then donate an additional 10 percent of the purchase price back to the pet lover's favorite participating shelter.

"Through the years, BISSELL has been a great champion for pet adoption, and we admire the company's dedication to pet-related causes," said Liz Neuschatz, executive director for the Petfinder.com Foundation. "We are thrilled at the opportunity to work with BISSELL in 2011 and look forward to helping thousands of pets find loving homes."

In addition to partnerships with organizations like Petfinder.com, BISSELL supports the pet community through contributions to more than 100 U.S. pet charities totaling over $200,000 annually. The company is committed to providing pet owners with effective, easy-to-use pet clean-up products. For information on the complete line of BISSELL pet products, cleaning tips and more, visit the online Pet Lovers Community at www.bissell.com/pets.

About BISSELL Homecare, Inc.

A 135-year-old company, Grand Rapids-based BISSELL Homecare, Inc., is the top-selling brand in floor care appliances in North America* with an expanding presence worldwide. As an innovator of cleaning products, BISSELL produces and sells vacuums, sweepers, deep-cleaning machines, bare floor cleaners and cleaning formulas at retail locations across the globe. The company is in its fourth generation of family leadership.

About Petfinder.com Foundation

The Petfinder.com Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to help ensure that no adopt-able pet is euthanized for lack of a home. The Foundation works with shelters, rescue organizations and animal welfare organizations across North America. Since 2003, the Petfinder.com Foundation has provided over $10 million worth of grants to its members.

About Lost Pet USA®

Lostpetusa.net is America's premier online database of lost and found dogs, cats and other pets, used to quickly and efficiently reunite pets with their families. The searchable database connects both lost pet owners and finders with an extensive listing of local shelters, vets, police and other local support systems. Lost and found pets can be registered free of charge and located in three easy steps: 1) Search the national database by zip code; 2) Register your lost or found pet free of charge; 3) Locate shelters, veterinarians, rescues or law enforcement agencies anywhere in the USA.

*based on NPD sales data

SOURCE BISSELL Homecare, Inc.