Help “Clear the Shelters” During the 2025 National Adoption Event

It’s that time of year again: Every August, more than a thousand animal shelters and rescue organizations nationwide commit to “Clear the Shelters” and help animals in need find loving homes. More than one million pets have found their forever homes since NBC launched the first national Clear the Shelters event in 2015. In 2024, they saw 170,000 adoptions and raised over $500,000 in support of their 10th anniversary.

The idea for Clear the Shelters originated from a pet adoption event in Texas, held in 2014. The event was a huge success, with many pets finding new homes in just one day. As a result, NBCUniversal Local decided to make the campaign national the following year.

Ready to adopt a pet? Here’s how you can get started:

• Adopt a cat

• Adopt a dog

• Foster a pet

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Clear the Shelters 2025

This year’s month-long effort (August 1 through August 31) will feature both in-person and virtual pet adoptions. Participating shelters and humane groups will also offer a host of special enticements, including reducing or waiving pet adoption fees to make it easier for families and individuals to adopt a pet. Virtual pet adoptions are also returning for the fifth consecutive campaign.

Local affiliate stations will also cover these events and spotlight both the obstacles pets in need face and some of the healthy and happy endings made possible by these events. Participating shelters and rescue organizations greatly appreciate this attention.

A few participating rescues:

• Stray Cat Alliance helps cats through adoption, TNR, and donations. They found homes for 1,600 cats in 2022 and manage feral cat colonies through TNR. They also donate food and take in newborn kittens from local shelters

• Renegade Paws Rescue helps dogs and cats in the Coastal Empire and surrounding areas who have been mistreated, abandoned, or injured. They have saved 3,000 lives since they were founded in 2019.

• Muttville rescues senior and less-adoptable dogs, providing medical attention and fostering opportunities. They've helped over 10,000 dogs find loving homes through events and outreach.

Looking to adopt a pet? Find a shelter near you.

Can’t adopt? Donate or volunteer

The 2024 Clear The Shelters event will again feature online donations through partner Greater Good Charities, which will host fundraising. Donations can be made to participating shelters or rescues during the campaign at ClearTheShelters.com.

Whether you are interested in adopting a dog or adopting a cat or simply enjoy cuddling a kitty or pup, stop by your local event and cheer on the festivities. And get prepared for adopting your pet with these new kitten and new puppy checklists.