Josh Hutcherson Discusses the Importance of Pet Adoption at Clear the Shelters Event

Actor Josh Hutcherson emphasized the challenges of leaving animal shelters during a visit to spcaLA in Long Beach, California, ahead of the local "Clear the Shelters" event. "It's hard for me to come to shelters, because I just want to take every dog home with me," Hutcherson told USA TODAY Pets.

Hutcherson's love for animals began in his childhood, leading him to adopt his first pet at 19. He rescued an injured puppy named Driver, who had been shot and abandoned with a broken leg. "He was ... this little ball of skin with a sideways leg, just so happy, jumping around like a frog kind of," Hutcherson recalled. After providing Driver with the necessary medical care, including surgery, Hutcherson nurtured him back to health. Now 14, Driver still enjoys sitting on Hutcherson's lap.

Hutcherson later adopted another dog, Manci, to keep Driver company. "It was just time for Driver to have a friend," he explained. Manci is now 11 years old.

For those considering pet adoption, Hutcherson advised potential owners to embrace the unique bond that forms with a pet. "It's a learning experience. You don't have to have it all figured out," he said, reflecting on his own adoption experience during his busy filming schedule for "The Hunger Games." He encouraged new pet owners to focus on progress rather than perfection, stating, "All you need to do is have patience and some love."

At the "Clear the Shelters" event, Hutcherson represented Hill's Pet Nutrition, which is offering free sample bags of food for adopters during the August campaign. He highlighted the significance of the event in raising awareness about shelter pets. "I've found that the shelter pets that I've interacted with have been incredible and they have such a capacity of love and of learning ... they just need the right person to connect with them," Hutcherson remarked.