Clear the Shelters Event August 19 Will Hopefully Do Just That

UPDATE: Over 75,000 pets were adopted on Clear the Shelters day this year — 25,000 more than last year!

If you or anyone you know wants to adopt a new furry family member, be aware that Aug. 19 is the third annual Clear the Shelters Day. During this event, hundreds of animal shelters across the country are lowering their adoption fees or dropping them altogether. (But, rest assured, most of these shelters will still be screening potential adopters.)

The goal, as the name implies, is to get as many pets adopted as possible. The previous two Clear the Shelters events were hugely successful. More than 73,000 dogs and cats have found forever homes on this special day since 2015, including over 19,000 in 2015 and over 50,000 in 2016. Hopefully the number of adoptions will double again this year.

Among the lucky dogs who found homes last year were Rose, a Husky with a neurological syndrome who had traveled from Turkey to a shelter in New York, and Tootsie, a senior Shih-Tzu with one eye who was adopted by a family from Chicago.

There’s really nothing better than seeing a sign like this on an animal shelter’s door.

Mission accomplished @DallasShelter. #ClearTheShelters @NBCDFW #desocuparlosalbergues @Telemundo39 #Dallas #DFW pic.twitter.com/JrUtEXr4E4

— Brian Curtis (@BrianCurtisNBC5) August 15, 2015

The Clear the Shelters initiative is spearheaded by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. For the second year in a row, VIP Petcare is co-sponsoring the event and donating more than $200 of preventive veterinary services to every pet that’s adopted. Petco is also a sponsor, and will provide all adopters with free “Welcome to the Family” packets that include information and pet supply coupons.

To see if a shelter near you is participating, check the map on the Clear the Shelters website. For updates about this event, follow the #ClearTheShelters and #LoveMyPet hashtags on social media.

“Clear the Shelters,” a 30-minute TV special hosted by Katie Lee and Beth Stern, will start airing Aug. 25 on NBC stations.

And before you adopt, I have some important tips for you. Good luck!

Did you or do you plan to adopt a dog on Clear the Shelters Day? Please leave a comment below (and thank you so, so much)!