BISSELL and Aly Raisman Raise Awareness of Pet Homelessness at New York Fashion Week
BISSELL and Aly Raisman Raise Awareness of Pet Homelessness at New York Fashion Week
BISSELL and Aly Raisman Spotlight Pet Homelessness at New York Fashion Week
BISSELL, which is celebrating 150 years of helping families and pets enjoy cleaner, happier homes, brought together fashion, pets and purpose at its third annual Best in Show event at New York City’s Webster Hall.
Returning to New York Fashion Week for the second consecutive year, BISSELL partnered with fashion designers Rachel Antonoff and Susan Korn, founder of Susan Alexandra, to highlight pet adoption and the fight against pet homelessness. The event also featured BISSELL Brand Ambassador and decorated gymnast Aly Raisman, who joined the campaign to raise awareness of the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Fix the Future initiative, described as the nation’s largest spay and neuter initiative.
A major highlight of the evening was a runway appearance by 15 adoptable dogs from Animal Haven, who walked alongside celebrity handlers in an effort to connect with potential forever families. The event used fashion as a platform to celebrate the joy pets bring to people’s lives while drawing attention to the importance of adoption and accessible veterinary care.
Raisman, a longtime advocate for pet adoption, also walked the runway with Birdy, an adoptable dog from Animal Haven.
“As a passionate advocate for pet adoption, I’m proud to help raise awareness for BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Fix the Future initiative,” said Raisman. “Every BISSELL purchase supports the Foundation’s mission to reduce pet homelessness.”
According to BISSELL, veterinarians working through the Fix the Future initiative have helped spay and neuter more than 452,000 pets since November 2023, expanding access to essential services for communities in need.
Turning the “Cone of Shame” Into the “Cone of Honor”
This year’s Best in Show event also featured an immersive CONE-TURE installation inspired by the traditional post-procedure pet cone.
At the center of the installation was the BISSELL Cone of Honor, a fashion-forward reinterpretation of the familiar “Cone of Shame.” The concept transformed the often-unpopular pet accessory into a symbol of responsible pet care while reinforcing the importance of spaying and neutering in reducing pet homelessness.
BISSELL’s commitment to animals extends beyond its cleaning products. Through its Every Purchase Saves Pets™ initiative, the company supports the BISSELL Pet Foundation and its work across adoption, spay and neuter, transportation, vaccination, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response programs.
Through Fix the Future, the foundation focuses on one of the underlying causes of pet homelessness by expanding access to affordable spay and neuter services in communities with the greatest need.
“For 150 years, pets have been at the heart of BISSELL, and our commitment to them extends far beyond the products we make,” said Laura Bretz, Global Brand and Communication Strategy Director at BISSELL. “Every Purchase Saves Pets brings that commitment to life by helping support BISSELL Pet Foundation’s lifesaving work.”
Fashion Meets a Purpose
Rachel Antonoff said the Best in Show event brings together fashion, pets and unexpected experiences while providing an opportunity to highlight BISSELL’s commitment to animal welfare.
“BISSELL felt like such a natural partner because pets are at the heart of everything they do,” Antonoff said, adding that the collaboration helps bring the foundation’s mission to life through a joyful fashion experience.
Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, the BISSELL Pet Foundation has partnered with more than 6,025 organizations across the United States and Canada and has impacted more than 1.3 million pets, according to the organization.
Since November 2023, Fix the Future® relief veterinarians have provided more than 452,000 spay and neuter procedures, representing nearly 13,000 total days of surgery in support of 196 organizations across 28 states.
With its latest Best in Show event, BISSELL once again used the visibility of New York Fashion Week to connect fashion and entertainment with a broader message: expanding access to spay and neuter services and encouraging pet adoption can play an important role in creating a future with fewer homeless animals.
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