The 12th annual Clear The Shelters campaign, organized by NBCUniversal Local, successfully facilitated over 135,000 pet adoptions and raised more than $480,000 for participating shelters and rescues. The adoption initiative spanned the entire month of August, while the donation drive occurred from July 15 to September 15.
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Since its inception in 2015, Clear The Shelters has contributed to nearly 1.5 million pet adoptions and over $6 million in donations.
Meredith McGinn, NBC Local’s EVP of diginets and original production, remarked on the community's collective effort, stating that the campaign showcases the positive impact that can be achieved when communities unite to support pets in need. She expressed gratitude to Hill’s Pet Nutrition and all partners involved in the campaign.
For the 2026 campaign, over 100 NBC and Telemundo stations collaborated with more than 1,200 shelters, covering 47 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam. Notable highlights included shelter dogs participating in the Texas Rangers' Bark at the Park night, actor Josh Hutcherson advocating for adoptions at a California shelter, and an airlift initiative that rescued 60 pets from overwhelmed shelters in Louisiana.
This year also marked the return of several longtime partners, including Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Greater Good Charities, and WeRescue. Hill’s, participating for the ninth consecutive year, served as the presenting sponsor for the first time. The Black Dog joined for its second year, launching a limited-edition merchandise collection.
Carrick Massey, senior VP of U.S. marketing at Hill’s, emphasized the importance of Clear The Shelters as shelters face increasing capacity challenges, underscoring the role played by the campaign and its partners in helping connect more pets with loving homes.
For additional information about Clear The Shelters, including participating shelters and local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com and DesocuparlosAlbergues.com.