NBC & Telemundo Announces Nationwide Pet Adoption Initiative Clear the Shelters on August 19, 2015

Local NBC and Telemundo Television Stations in 19 Markets Across the U.S. and Puerto Rico Team Up with More Than 300 Animal Shelters to Match Homeless Pets with New Homes

Natalie Morales, News Anchor and Co-Host of NBC News’ TODAY Show, To Host Post-Adoption Drive Special on NBC Stations; Telemundo's Jessica Carrillo and Elva Saray To Host on Telemundo Stations

The NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations today announced a first-of-its-kind nationwide pet adoption initiative – Clear the Shelters – that will take place on Saturday, August 15 in 19 markets across the United States and Puerto Rico. The Clear the Shelters effort pairs up 28 local NBC and Telemundo television stations and regional news network necn with more than 300 animal shelters across the country with a goal of finding new homes for thousands of homeless pets. On this day, participating animal shelters will offer no-cost or reduced fee adoptions or waive pet spaying and neutering fees.

“Animals have always been an important part of my life. I know well the great contribution their love makes to a family. I’m proud that our stations are working with hundreds of local animal shelters to help save the lives of thousands of deserving animals across the country,” said Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “I encourage everyone to join us in this national day of action to help ‘Clear the Shelters’ and give thousands of homeless animals the chance of a new life.”

The Clear the Shelters initiative, which is sponsored nationally by Overstock.com, will feature special shows and programming that will air on local stations before and after the pet adoption drive (check local listings). Each participating local station will also engage local viewers with news and information across various platforms, including on air during local newscasts, online and via social media, to help raise awareness about the actual pet adoption day as well as related issues, like the overpopulation of shelters and the dangers of euthanasia.

In total, 11 NBC-owned stations, 17 Telemundo-owned stations and the NBCUniversal-owned regional news network necn are participating in Clear the Shelters, along with hundreds of animal shelters. This initiative marks the first time that the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations have joined forces on an initiative like Clear the Shelters.

Additionally, Natalie Morales, News Anchor and Co-Host of NBC News’ TODAY Show, will host a 30-minute post-adoption drive special that will recap the previous week's national day of action. It will air on Saturday, August 22 on the NBC Owned Stations plus more than 100 NBC affiliate stations. The Telemundo stations will also air a post-adoption drive show on the same day, with Elva Saray, Host of Telemundo 52 Los Angeles’ (KVEA) daily entertainment show, Acceso Total, serving as Co-Host alongside Jessica Carrillo, Host and Reporter for Telemundo network’s Al Rojo Vivo. 

Clear the Shelters was initiated last year in the Dallas-Fort Worth market as a partnership between NBCUniversal-owned stations NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth / KXAS and Telemundo 39 Dallas-Fort Worth / KXTX and dozens of North Texas animal shelters. The day resulted in the adoption of more than 2,200 homeless animals, the most adopted in one day in North Texas.

For more information about the national pet adoption drive, visit www.ClearTheShelters.com. You can also follow the effort on Twitter by using the hashtag #ClearTheShelters.