Half-Hour Show Spotlighting Stories of Rescue & Resilience Features the Actor, Director, Producer & Writer & His Adopted Dog Bubbles
‘Clear The Shelters’ Will Also be Presented on NBC- & Telemundo-Owned Stations’ Local News Streaming Channels & COZI TV
NEW YORK – Aug. 6, 2025 – NBCUniversal Local today announced its annual Clear The Shelters TV special, hosted by actor, director, producer and writer Joe Manganiello and his adopted Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix Bubbles, will premiere on NBC stations this Friday, Aug. 8 (check local listings). The program will also be presented on the NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations’ free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels and COZI TV.
The 30‑minute program celebrates NBC and Telemundo stations’ 11th annual nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign, which began Aug. 1 and concludes Aug. 31, with fundraising continuing through Sept. 15.
This year’s TV special highlights extraordinary animal‑rescue heroes from across the country, including:
- An animal‑sanctuary founder who helps dogs become unstoppable
- A man on a mission to provide for the pets of people experiencing homelessness
- A devoted foster mom who never gives up on challenging pups
Manganiello currently stars in the Emmy-nominated film Nonnas, whichis based on the true story of Joe Scaravella and the Italian restaurant he opened with local grandmothers as chefs. He is also host and executive producer of Deal or No Deal Island, which is available on Peacock. Manganiello recently finished production of the second season of One Piece.
“Rescuing my dog, Bubbles, is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my entire life,” said Manganiello. “I hope people can feel my honest enthusiasm and that it encourages them to experience an ounce of what I have if they are in position to welcome a shelter pet into their lives. These animals have been abandoned and the shelters taking care of them need help. That’s why I’m proud to participate in Clear The Shelters to help promote pet adoption and raise funds to help shelters operate.”
Manganiello earned a BFA in acting from The Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama before becoming well known for his role on the hit series True Blood, the Magic Mike franchise, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, Pee Wee’s Big Holiday, Sabotage, Rampage, and Justice League.
Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has helped nearly 1.2 million pets find new homes and raised more than $5 million for participating shelters and rescues. The 2024 campaign set a single‑year record with nearly 170,000 adoptions and more than $500,000 in fundraising.
2025 Clear The Shelters Campaign Features:
National Sponsor
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-based pet nutrition and leading supporter of animal welfare, is the national sponsor for the eighth campaign. As part of their partnership, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is supporting fundraising – including the contribution of $25,000 in matching grants to the Clear The Shelters fund – and providing in-kind food donations and adoption kits to help new pet parents at select participating shelters, which will include starter bags of Hill’s Science Diet, coupons, and other supplies.
Online Fundraising
Fundraising for the 2025 Clear The Shelters is led by Greater Good Charities, a global nonprofit and longtime campaign partner. Donations to the general fund can be made now through Sept. 15, and donations directly to individual shelters can be made now through Aug. 31 at ClearTheSheltersFund.org.
Virtual Adoptions
Virtual pet adoptions returned for the seventh consecutive campaign through longtime Clear The Shelters partnerWeRescue. The WeRescue website and app enable users to browse adoptable pets in their area by breed, gender, size, and more, apply to adopt, and ask questions directly to shelters.
Merchandise
The restaurant and apparel company The Black Dog created a special collection of Clear The Shelters-branded merchandise to help raise donations for the Clear The Shelters fund. The Black Dog will also host adoption events and allow customers to donate by rounding up their total for purchases.
For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating shelters and local events, visit ClearTheShelters.comand the Spanish‑language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com, and follow Clear The Shelters on social media:
- Instagram: @ClearTheShelters
- TikTok: @cleartheshelters
- Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues
About Clear The Shelters
NBCUniversal Local’s Clear The Shelters™ is an annual nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign held each August. As part of the initiative, NBC- and Telemundo-owned and affiliated stations partner with animal shelters and rescues in communities across the U.S. to promote pet adoption and raise funds for participating shelters. Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has led to nearly 1.2 million pet adoptions and raised more than $5 million. Longtime campaign supporters include Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a national sponsor for eight consecutive years, Greater Good Charities and WeRescue. Clear The Shelters was inspired by a 2014 North Texas pet adoption event hosted by NBC 5 / KXAS and Telemundo 39 / KXTX. For more information, visit ClearTheShelters.com.
About NBCUniversal Local
NBCUniversal Local, part of NBCUniversal News Group, is comprised of more than 50 media properties, including local TV stations and regional sports networks that deliver English and Spanish-speaking audiences in 30 U.S. markets and Puerto Rico comprehensive news, weather, consumer and investigative reporting, lifestyle and entertainment content, and live sports across TV, streaming and digital platforms. NBCUniversal Local consists of three media groups – NBC Owned Television Stations, NBC Sports Regional Networks and Telemundo Station Group – plus multicast networks COZI TV, TeleXitos and American Crimes, regional cable news network NECN, and 16 free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels – including 11 NBC local news, four Telemundo regional news channels and NBC LX Home. NBCUniversal Local also features NBC Spot On, an advanced CTV and OTT advertising platform; LXTV Productions; marketing and promotions company Skycastle; out-of-home business NBC Everywhere; and The Arthouse, a graphic design group.
MEDIA CONTACT
Brian Potter
Brian.Potter@nbcuni.com
