135,000 Shelter Pets Found Homes in August Thanks to NBC's Clear The Shelters

August was a very good month to be a shelter pet. NBC’s Clear The Shelters campaign helped 135,000 dogs, cats, and other animals find forever homes, with more than 100 NBC and Telemundo stations hosting adoption events across 47 states plus DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The campaign also raised $480,000 for over 1,000 participating shelters, which means food, medical care, and resources for the animals still waiting their turn.

Now in its 12th year, Clear The Shelters has helped 1.5 million pets find homes and has channeled more than $6 million to shelters since it started. Meredith McGinn, NBC Local’s Executive VP of original production, said the campaign“demonstrates what’s possible when our communities come together to help pets in need.”That energy showed up locally too, with stations spotlighting adoptable animals right in their own backyards.

If you’re thinking about adding a pet to your life, this is a pretty solid nudge. Shelters near you are full of animals that are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and waiting for someone to walk through the door. Have you ever adopted a pet from a shelter? Tell us how you found each other.