Clear the Shelters (CTS) is back this summer to help find homes for rescue pets nationwide.
From Aug. 1 to 31, NBC and Telemundo-owned stations are partnering with hundreds of shelters and rescue organizations to promote pet adoption and raise funds for animal welfare causes. Now in its 11th year, CTS has helped nearly 1.2 million pets meet their forever families, including 170,000 animals in 2024 — a single-year record for the program.
“Pet adoption is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life,” says actor Joe Manganiello, who hosts the upcoming CTS TV special on Aug. 8, and adopted his pup Bubbles six years ago.
It’s rare for Joe Manganiello to leave the house without Bubbles by his side.
“We’re pretty much inseparable,” the Deal or No Deal Island host tells PEOPLE of his tight bond with the 12-year-old Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix. Bubbles has accompanied the actor to show sets, premiere parties, and the actor’s favorite restaurant in Paris, where the dog gets her own bed and water dish.
Humane Society of Loudoun County
Ukulele, a cat available for adoption through Clear the Shelters
Bubbles’ life now is very different from when Manganiello first met her six years ago, when she “was peeing blood and shivering in pain” at a California rescue. The Nonnas star says he felt like it was the universe telling him, “This is your dog,” and agreed to adopt the pet, his first, and nurse her back to health.
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Now “this little dog is the light of my life,” he says, adding that the pup is closer to a child or “animal familiar” than a pet. The devoted dog dad hopes Clear the Shelters inspires others to be “of service to an animal in need.”
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Helping Manganiello and NBCUniversal Local with Clear the Shelters this year is returning sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Humane Indiana
Dionysus, a dog available for adoption through Clear the Shelters
“Our dedication to the health and well-being of shelter pets is a long-standing commitment at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, underscored by our Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program, which has helped over 15 million pets find new homes,” said Carrick Massey, senior vice president of US marketing at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “The Clear the Shelters campaign is a powerful extension of this enduring mission as we partner with NBCU Local to help more pets find loving families and tackle the over-capacity crisis.”
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Those ready to take advantage of the pet adoption perks provided by Clear the Shelters can find their perfect rescue pet match through cleartheshelters.com, which has a complete list of participating shelters and rescues. Animal lovers can also use Clear the Shelters’ rescue partner, WeRescue, to meet adoptable pets virtually through WeRescue’s app or website.
Anyone not ready to adopt can still help the thousands of rescue pets Clear the Shelters is working to support through donations. Once again, Greater Good Charities, a nonprofit and longtime CTS partner, is leading Clear the Shelters fundraising efforts. Donations to CTS’ general fund can be made now through Sept. 15 at ClearTheSheltersFund.org, while contributions to individual CTS shelter partners can be made from Aug. 1 to 31 at the same website.
Over its 11 years, Clear the Shelters has raised over $5 million for animal shelters, with over $500,000 raised in 2024 alone.
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