MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. (WENY) -- Nationwide, pet shelters continue to struggle with capacity issues as thousands of companion animals remain up for adoption. However, an upcoming adoption initiative is hoping to ease the stress on shelters, including several in our area.

The Bissell Pet Foundation is partnering with several animal shelters in the Empire State to help pets get adopted to caring and loving homes. One of the participating shelters is the Humane Society of Schuyler County.

"We're really pleased to be one of over 350 shelters nationwide to be participating in this event. The Bissell Pet Foundation Empty the Shelters event really helps to create awareness about the importance of adoption and it helps to bring people into the shelter who may not have considered adoption in the past," said executive director Georgie Taylor.

Empty the Shelters is a national effort to reduce pet homelessness and its coming to the region from July 8th to the 31st, and will be focusing on adoption efforts for both cats and dogs. In that time, adoption fees are capped at $50, and all animals available for adoption are fully vaccinated, microchipped, and either spayed or neutered.

"The human animal bond is something that I don't know that we can ever really explain but that human animal bond is so strong. And pets bring us so much love and so much, they're such good company for elderly folks who may be housebound or for kids to learn the importance of adoption and responsibility," added Taylor.

The Humane Society of Schuyler County is located in Montour Falls -- just a hour drive from the cities of Elmira, Corning, and Ithaca. Other nearby participating shelters include: the Broome County Humane Society, the Humane Society Of Yates County, Tompkins County SPCA, and Ulster County SPCA.