What began in Texas with the City of Irving Animal Services, Clear the Shelters has now spread across the country, rescuing thousands of animals each year.
Thanks to the national reach of NBC and Telemundo, the event has helped rescue over 500,000 pets around the nation since its inception in 2015.
In 2020, Clear the Shelter helped raise over $1.2 million in animal care funds and helped over 130,000 pets find homes. While COVID-19 regulations limited access to some shelters, virtual campaigns reached over 140,600 adoptions, according to Greater Good Charities.
“We are proud to bring Clear The Shelters to communities across the country for the seventh consecutive year and partner with so many great shelters and rescues to help them find forever homes for their animals and raise needed funds to support their important efforts,” Valari Staab, President of NBCUniversal Local, said in a statement.
In Dallas alone, there were 5,494 pets adopted during last year’s Clear the Shelter event.
“There will be about 65 shelters in the DFW area that will be offering free to reduced cost for pet adoption for at least a week during the event,” Michael Whiteside, the Administration and Development Coordinator for DFW Humane Society states. “Our mission is to rescue neglected and unwanted pets and give them a second chance at life.”
The DFW Humane Society, founded in 1967, rescues over 900 pets a year.
They are currently wrapping up their Summer is Just Cooler With Cats Adoption Special, ending July 31st, 2021, as they make preparations for the Clear the Shelter event.
Clear the Shelter will run from August 28th to September 19th.
For information on shelters near you, visit the Clear the Shelter website here.
For information on the DFW Humane Society and to learn about their upcoming events, visit their website here.