{"id":52,"date":"2023-09-13T02:48:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T02:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsgrouppr.wpenginepowered.com\/nbculocal\/?p=52"},"modified":"2024-03-22T03:49:14","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T03:49:14","slug":"nbcuniversal-locals-clear-the-shelters-surpasses-1-million-all-time-adoptions-as-more-than-157000-pets-find-new-homes-during-2023-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nbcuniversalnewsgroup.com\/nbculocal\/2023\/09\/13\/nbcuniversal-locals-clear-the-shelters-surpasses-1-million-all-time-adoptions-as-more-than-157000-pets-find-new-homes-during-2023-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"NBCUniversal Local\u2019s \u2018Clear the Shelters\u2019 Surpasses 1 Million All-Time Adoptions as More Than 157,000 Pets Find New Homes During 2023 Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NBC & Telemundo Stations\u2019 9th<\/sup> Annual Nationwide Pet Adoption & Donation Initiative Raises More Than $575,000 for Participating Shelters<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fundraising Effort Extended Through Month to Celebrate More Than a Million Pets Finding New Homes Since Campaign\u2019s 2015 Inception<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW YORK<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 (Sept. 13, 2023) \u2013 NBCUniversal Local\u2019s Clear The Shelters<\/em> nationwide pet adoption and donation initiative has now resulted in more than one million adoptions<\/strong> since its 2015 inception as more than 157,000<\/strong> pets found new homes during the 2023 campaign Aug. 1 to 31. The announcement was made today in collaboration with Clear The Shelters <\/em>partners Hill\u2019s Pet Nutrition, Greater Good Charities and WeRescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, more than $575,000<\/strong> has been donated to participating animal shelters and rescues as part of this year\u2019s Clear The Shelters<\/em> fundraising effort, which has been extended in recognition of reaching the one million all-time adoption milestone. Donations can be made through Sept. 30 at ClearTheSheltersFund.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been an immense privilege to witness the growth of Clear The Shelters<\/em> from a local initiative led by our stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, NBC 5 and Telemundo 39, to a nationwide cause that has helped a million pets find new homes,\u201d said NBCUniversal Local Chairman Valari Staab. \u201cThis campaign\u2019s driving force has always been the employees, partners, stations and sponsors who generously contribute time, effort and resources each year. We thank them and all those who\u2019ve adopted and donated over the last nine years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the 2023 Clear The Shelters<\/em> campaign, 152<\/strong> NBC and Telemundo owned and affiliated stations partnered with more than 1,400<\/strong> shelters to promote pet adoption and raise funds to benefit animal welfare. This year\u2019s participating shelters represented 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis remarkable milestone helps quantify Clear The Shelters<\/em>\u2019 impact over its nine campaigns, but also illustrates the number of pets in need and the challenges facing animal shelters and rescues in our communities year-round,\u201d said Meredith McGinn, NBCUniversal Local\u2019s EVP of Diginets & Original Production and Clear The Shelters<\/em> leader. \u201cWe are very proud this community-driven initiative continues to grow and succeed in helping pets and the wonderful shelters and people who care for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Partners & Features \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2023 Clear The Shelters<\/em> campaign featured online donations through partner Greater Good Charities<\/strong><\/a>, a global nonprofit and longtime campaign partner, which hosted the fundraising campaign, built courtesy of Fundraise Up, an online donation platform that helps nonprofits grow revenue. Donors have the option to cover transaction fees so that 100 percent goes directly to the shelter of their choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual pet adoptions also returned for a fifth consecutive campaign through WeRescue<\/strong><\/a>. Through the Clear The Shelters<\/em> tab on the WeRescue app, users were able to browse adoptable pets in their area by breed, gender, size, and other factors, submit their adoption applications and ask questions directly to shelters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hill’s Pet Nutrition<\/strong><\/a>, a global leader in science-based pet nutrition, was lead national sponsor for the sixth consecutive Clear The Shelters<\/em>. As part of the campaign, Hill\u2019s Pet Nutrition provided adoption kits to help new pet parents and their pets get a healthy start on their new life together. Kits containing starter bags of Hill\u2019s science-led nutrition, coupons, pet-parenting tips, and other supplies were available at select shelters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Highlights \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Award-winning 16-year-old entrepreneur, philanthropist and shelter pet advocate Sir Darius Brown<\/strong> served as the 2023 Clear The Shelters<\/em> ambassador and as shelter advocate for Hill’s Pet Nutrition. As part of his role, the founder and C.E.O. of Beaux & Paws<\/a>, a pet accessories and lifestyle brand, designed a special Clear The Shelters<\/em> edition of his signature pet bow ties, which were sold at Beaux & Paws and The Shop at NBC Studios<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/em> co-hosts Dylan Dreyer<\/strong> and Sheinelle Jones<\/strong> led the Clear The Shelters<\/em> special presented on NBC stations, COZI TV and NBC owned stations\u2019 local news streaming channels, which began Aug. 4. The 30-minute show highlighted people dedicated to helping homeless pets and, through The Dodo<\/strong> \u2013 the leading animal and pet brand serving and longtime campaign media partner \u2013 stories of fostering and adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Desocupar Los Albergues <\/em>special was presented on Telemundo stations and regional news streaming channels starting Aug. 5. The 30-minute show, which was led by Elva Saray<\/strong> of Acesso Total<\/em> and Andrea Meza<\/strong>, host of Hoy Dia<\/em> and En Casa Con Telemundo<\/em>, delivered Spanish-speaking audiences moving pet rescue and adoption stories, as well as advice for new pet owners and special content from The Dodo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To celebrate the start of this year\u2019s campaign, NBCUniversal Local, Greater Good Charities, Hill\u2019s Pet Nutrition and The Animal Rescue Site partnered on a lifesaving pet airlift<\/strong> on Aug. 2 from Florida to New Jersey and New Hampshire. In total, 193 dogs and 76 cats were transported from overcrowded shelters in the Southeast to 16 shelters across the Northeast, where they were made available for adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In support of Clear The Shelters, Greater Good Charities in partnership with The Animal Rescue Site delivered surprise grants<\/strong> and much-needed pet supplies to three randomly selected participating shelters. Homeward Trails Animal Rescue Adoption Center in Fairfax Station, Va., the San Diego Humane Society and the Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia each received $10,000, along with blankets, bowls, toys and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The celebrate the more than one million adoption milestone, longtime Clear The Shelters<\/em> supporters are making contributions to New York\u2019s Bideawee animal shelter. Greater Good Charities and The Animal Rescue Site will present a $10,000 grant<\/strong> and Hill\u2019s Pet Nutrition will provide 10,000 meals worth of pet food<\/strong> at an event today, Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Bideawee\u2019s new location in New York\u2019s Chelsea neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, during the campaign, Hill\u2019s Pet Nutrition and The Animal Rescue Site provided matching donations<\/strong> to the Clear The Shelters Fund. In total, Hill\u2019s Pet Nutrition ($50,000) and The Animal Rescue Site ($15,000) provided $65,000 in dollar-for-dollar matches over a five-week period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit ClearTheShelters.com<\/a> and the Spanish-language DesocuparlosAlbergues.com<\/a> for more information, or follow Clear The Shelters<\/em> on social media at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n