Clear The Shelters 2026 sees over 135,000 pet adoptions
NBCUniversal Local’s Clear The Shelters campaign, which concluded on September 16, 2026, facilitated over 135,000 pet adoptions and raised more than $480,000. The initiative involved over 1,200 shelters across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Guam, supported by NBC and Telemundo stations. Since its inception, the campaign has helped nearly 1.5 million pets find homes.
The 12th annual Clear The Shelters campaign, led by NBCUniversal Local, has helped place over 135,000 pets in new homes across the United States. By the time the initiative wrapped up on September 16, 2026, it had also brought in more than $480,000 in donations to support animal shelters. This year, the effort brought together over 1,200 shelters from 47 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam, reflecting a broad national commitment to animal welfare.
Since it began in 2015, Clear The Shelters has grown into a major event for the animal rescue community. While the primary goal is finding homes for pets, the campaign also focuses on raising the money shelters need to provide essential care for animals in their charge. Highlights from this year included actor Josh Hutcherson visiting a California shelter to advocate for adoption, as well as a flight that moved 60 at-risk pets from Louisiana to safety.
Long-term partners Greater Good Charities and WeRescue were central to the effort, alongside Hill's Pet Nutrition, which acted as the presenting sponsor. Local NBC and Telemundo stations across the country helped drive the message home, encouraging people to get involved in their own communities. Much of this engagement happened online, with social media platforms allowing supporters to share their own adoption stories and experiences.
The impact of the campaign is felt both socially and practically. By finding homes for over 135,000 animals, Clear The Shelters reduces the burden on the shelter system while encouraging people to become responsible pet owners. The money raised goes directly toward daily care, improving living conditions for animals still waiting for a family and helping them stay healthy until they are adopted. These efforts do more than just find homes; they help build a wider culture of compassion toward animals.
Looking ahead, Clear The Shelters plans to build on this momentum. With nearly 1.5 million adoptions recorded since the program began, the initiative is set to reach even more communities in the years to come. Success will continue to depend on the steady cooperation between shelters, sponsors, and local residents, all working toward the same goal: making sure more pets find a place to belong and keeping the message of adoption at the forefront of the national conversation.
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