12th Annual 'Clear The Shelters' Campaign Set for August to Promote Pet Adoption and Fundraising

NBCUniversal Local's 'Clear The Shelters,' presented by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, is scheduled to run from August 1 to 31, 2026. This nationwide initiative promotes pet adoption while also raising funds for shelters and rescues, which has resulted in over 1.3 million adoptions and more than $5.6 million in donations since its launch in 2015.

Fundraising efforts for this year's campaign will begin on July 15 and continue until September 15, with participants able to donate to a shelter of their choice or to the general fund at ClearTheSheltersFund.org. NBC and Telemundo stations across the U.S. will collaborate with local shelters for both adoption promotion and fundraising activities.

In 2025, the campaign facilitated the adoption of over 160,000 pets and raised upwards of $628,000 for participating shelters, marking the highest total since 2020. The campaign involved more than 1,700 shelters and rescues across 49 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, supported by 129 NBC and Telemundo stations.

Meredith McGinn, Executive Vice President of Diginets & Original Production at NBCUniversal Local, highlighted the campaign's significant impact, thanking partners and participants for their contributions to local communities.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition returns for its ninth year as a partner and will serve as the presenting sponsor for the first time. The company will not only support the campaign but also provide adoption kits containing starter bags of Hill’s Science Diet and other supplies at select shelters.

Greater Good Charities, a longstanding campaign partner, will lead the fundraising efforts. Donations to individual shelters can be made during the campaign in August, while general fund contributions are accepted now through mid-September.

WeRescue also continues its partnership for the eighth year, offering a platform for users to browse adoptable pets and apply for adoption through its website and apps. New features this year include a tool to assist visitors in finding suitable pets based on their preferences.

The Black Dog, a restaurant and apparel brand, will host donation initiatives for Clear The Shelters, allowing customers to round up their purchases, and will create special merchandise with a portion of sales directed to the campaign.

For additional details on participating shelters, local events, and how to get involved, visit ClearTheShelters.com or its Spanish-language counterpart, DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Following the initiative on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok is also encouraged.