More than 135,000 dogs, cats, and other shelter animals found permanent homes in August through Clear The Shelters, the annual adoption drive organized by NBC and its parent company Universal. The campaign, which ran from July through September, also generated $480,000 in donations for the more than 1,000 animal shelters that took part.
Now in its 12th year, Clear The Shelters has helped 1.5 million pets find new families and has channeled over $6 million to shelters across the country, according to the network.
Meredith McGinn, NBC Local's Exec. VP of original production, said in a news release that the campaign demonstrates what communities can accomplish when they unite to assist pets in need. She added that the network is proud of the lasting impact the effort continues to have for shelters and animals nationwide, and expressed gratitude to Hill's Pet Nutrition and all the partners who make Clear The Shelters possible.
The initiative involved more than 100 NBC and Telemundo stations, which covered or highlighted adoption events at approximately 1,200 participating animal shelters. Animals from 47 states, along with DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico, were featured in a variety of ways designed to show the public the many adoptable pets available both inside and outside shelter cages.
For local readers, the campaign's reach means that shelters in their area may have benefited from increased visibility and donations. The 135,000 adoptions recorded in August represent a significant portion of the 1.5 million total placements achieved over the campaign's history, underscoring the role of media partnerships in supporting animal welfare.