BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, will offer its Empty the Shelters reduced-fee adoption event, which will run through Wednesday, July 31.

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL) will participate along with more than 390 shelters in 44 states. At the ARL, all cats and dogs over 6 months of age will have a reduced adoption fee, and senior dogs and cats over 8 years will be free to adopt.

All prospective adopters must go through the ARL's regular process to adopt, including the completion of an adoption pro_fi_le and speaking with an adoption counselor to ensure that the pet they select is a good match for their home, family and lifestyle.

Adopters are encouraged to bring their family members and other house dogs to meet the pet they are interested in before completing the adoption. Dog adopters will also need to bring cash or a check for a dog license, which is required at the time of adoption under Pennsylvania law. Adopters should also bring a cat carrier or a dog collar and leash, or they may purchase these items from the ARL.

All interested adopters can visit http://www.berksarl.org/pets to view the available pets. Adoption hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During Bissell's spring Empty the Shelters event last May, 46 cats and dogs from the ARL found loving homes.

BISSELL Pet Foundation and the ARL urge families to research the pet they are interested in adopting, as well as adoption requirements. For more information on adopting or donating to Empty the Shelters, visit http://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters and http://www.berksarl.org.