Clear the Shelters

NBCUniversal Local’s pet adoption push took place over the entire month of August, while the donation initiative was held from July 15 to Sept. 15.

NBCUniversal Local’s annual Clear The Shelters campaign helped drive over 135,000 pet adoptions and raised more than $480,000 for participating shelters and rescues in 2026.

Across the country, rescue puppies are trading kennels for yoga mats as shelters look for new ways to connect animals with future families.

Puppy yoga classes across the country are giving animal rescues an opportunity to teach the public about their operations and sometimes even help pets find forever homes.

Stronger Shot Adoption Photos, founded by Adam Goldberg, gives shelter animals a better chance at adoption through professional photos and videos.

Josh Hutcherson teamed up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition for NBCUniversal local’s Clear the Shelters annual pet adoption campaign, and the dog parent to two rescue pups told Access Hollywood why he loved spending time with all the adoptable animals.

For fans of the perfectly imperfect Jimothy the raccoon, there’s now another furry friend over which we can all obsess.

Stronger Shot Adoption Photos is teaming up with Clear The Shelters to give shelter pets professional photos and videos designed to help them make a stronger first impression on potential adopters.

Pets at one California shelter got to spend time with a celebrity this week.

Josh Hutcherson visited a Long Beach, California, animal shelter and shared why he wants more people to consider giving big shelter dogs a forever home.

A foster fail led to a lifetime of love for a pooch that recovered after being found severely malnourished in the Pasadena area.

Kimie Smothermon runs the Guinea Pig Sanctuary in Salisbury, one of the few operations in the U.S. dedicated to abandoned guinea pigs.

A total of 150 corgis from nine countries traveled to Lithuania for the fifth Corgi Race Vilnius, an international event celebrating the little dogs.

Jinny Lu has gone from runner-up to champion.

When adopting a pet from a shelter, ask about their past if possible. We outline some of the experiences the pet may have gone through to help make their transition to a new home easier.

The “Kitten Lady” Hannah Shaw, an award-winning kitten rescuer and animal advocate, has some tips for prospective first-time pet parents.

Thousands of pets across South Florida are still looking for homes. Meet two dogs whose adoption fees are waived as part of Clear the Shelters.

Animal advocate Hannah Shaw, known as the “Kitten Lady,” shares her advice for first-time pet parents, from keeping an open mind at the shelter to helping a newly adopted cat or dog adjust to their new home.

After nearly five years of waiting, Duke has finally found his home.

Finding the right pet can take time and multiple applications. GetBuddy uses lifestyle-based matching to help prospective adopters find pets that could fit their home and routine. Here’s how the platform works.