NBCU Local's ‘Clear The Shelters Presented by Hill's Pet Nutrition’ Returns for 12th Annual Pet Adoption & Donation Campaign This August

Clear The Shelters Presented by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, NBCUniversal Local’s nationwide pet adoption and donation initiative – which has helped more than 1.3 million pets find new homes and raised more than $5.6 million for animal shelters and rescues since its 2015 inception – is returning for the 12th consecutive year from Aug. 1 to 31, with fundraising taking place today, July 15, through Sept. 15.

As part of the 2026 Clear The Shelters, NBC and Telemundo stations across the nation are partnering with shelters in their communities to promote adoption and raise funds for their operations, which can be donated to a shelter of the donor’s choice or the general fund. For more information on shelters participating in the fundraising, visit ClearTheSheltersFund.org. Shelters can join this year’s campaign via the Shelter Registration Portal.

The 2025 Clear The Shelters campaign helped more than 160,000 pets find new homes and raised more than $628,000 for participating animal shelters – the highest fundraising total since 2020. More than 1,700 shelters and rescues representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, along with 129 NBC and Telemundo stations, participated in the 11^th annual campaign, which was held Aug. 1 to Sept. 1, 2025.

“Clear The Shelters continues to have such an incredible impact on communities thanks to all those who come together each August to help vulnerable pets and support the animal shelters who care for them,” said Meredith McGinn, NBCUniversal Local’s Executive Vice President of Diginets & Original Production. “We appreciate our partners, led byHill’s Pet Nutrition, and the participating stations and shelters who drive this amazing effort.”

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-based pet nutrition and leading supporter of animal welfare, is returning for the ninth consecutive year as a partner of Clear The Shelters, and for the first time as the presenting sponsor of the annual pet adoption and donation campaign. Hill’s Pet Nutrition will support Clear The Shelters campaign activities, along with providing 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. 

Fundraising for the 2026 Clear The Shelters will once again be 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 from Aug. 1 to 31 at ClearTheSheltersFund.org.

WeRescue is also returning for the eighth consecutive year as the exclusive technology partner of Clear The Shelters. The WeRescue website and apps let users browse adoptable pets in their area by breed, gender, size, and more, apply to adopt, and ask questions directly to shelters. New this year, Scout helps visitors find their best match with just a few quick questions.

This campaign, The Black Dog will partner with Clear The Shelters for the second year. The restaurant and apparel company will allow customers to donate to the Clear The Shelters fund by rounding up their total for purchases. The Black Dog will also create a special collection of Clear The Shelters-branded merchandise, and will donate 50 percent of the proceeds to the fund, and host adoption events at their retail locations. 

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating shelters, along with details on local events and television programming, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Shelters can join the campaign via the new Shelter Registration Portal. Follow Clear The Shelters on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.