August 24, 2017
The following are press releases from NBCUniversal:
New York
Concluding a record-setting 2017 campaign which saw participating animal shelters and rescues double and local pet adoptions triple, NBC 4 New York / WNBC and Telemundo 47 / WNJU announced that 4,515 homeless pets were adopted by Tri-State families through Clear the Shelters / Desocupar Los Albergues, the popular, nationwide pet adoption drive led by NBC and Telemundo Owned Stations. This effort culminated in Saturday’s call-to-action where local participating animal shelters and rescues offered an array of incentives such as low-cost or waived adoption fees, helping more families open their homes to a homeless pet. Nationally, the third annual Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign resulted in more than 62,000 pet adoptions. Since 2015, the stations’ Clear the Shelters initiative has resulted in more than 136,000 pet adoptions.
“Thousands of families adopted a homeless pet through WNBC’s Clear the Shelters campaign. Our anchors, reporters and employees look forward to this campaign every year and are passionate about connecting homeless pets with forever homes. We are thrilled that this was a record-breaking year for pet adoptions throughout the Tri-State area,” said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of NBC 4 New York.
In 2015, the first Tri-State Clear the Shelters / Desocupar Los Albergues drive featured 42 participating shelters and animal rescues, generating 1,048 pet adoptions. Two years later, the community initiative expanded to include 94 participating shelters and animal rescues, generating this year’s final adoption total.
“The results of Telemundo 47’s Desocupar Los Albergues pet adoption drive were truly remarkable. All across the Tri-State area, our viewers opened their hearts and opened their homes to thousands of homeless pets in need. We could not be more pleased with the results of this year’s campaign,” said Cristina Schwarz, President and General Manager of Telemundo 47.
Pets of all types found new homes during Clear the Shelters 2017, including a Chihuahua mix dog with a heart murmur was adopted by a man who also had a heart murmur and sought a companion pet. 26 bulldogs were also rescued from a hot van and brought to the Bergen County Animal Shelter, where NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 were conducting live broadcasts. The subsequent televised reports led to numerous viewer calls expressing interest in adopting the puppies.
Viewers can tune-in to NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 later this week to watch Clear the Shelters specials that will feature celebrities and their pets and recaps of this year’s pet adoption campaign. Beth Stern, best-selling author and animal lover and Katie Lee, host of Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites, co-host of The Kitchen and author, will co-host “Clear the Shelters,” a 30-minute post-adoption drive special that will air beginning Friday, August 25 on the NBC 4 New York and NBC-owned stations plus more than 130 NBC affiliate stations (check local listings). Telemundo 47 and Telemundo stations will air a post-adoption drive special on Saturday, August 26 that will be co-hosted by Stephanie Himonidis “Chiquibaby” and Elva Saray of Telemundo 52 Los Angeles / KVEA (check local listings).
For more information about Clear the Shelters 2017, including photos and local pet adoption stories, visit nbcnewyork.com/cleartheshelters or telemundo47.com/desocuparlosalbergues. To access stories and photos from other Clear the Shelters participating markets, visit ClearTheShelters.com. You can also follow the effort on social media by using the hashtags #ClearTheShelters.and #LoveMyPet. To access information in Spanish, please visit DesocuparLosAlbergues.com and follow #DesocuparLosAlbergues and #AmoAMiMascota. Clear the Shelters is an initiative spearheaded by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal.
Connecticut
NBC Connecticut /WVIT announced its popular pet adoption campaign Clear the Shelters resulted in more than 900 local pet adoptions. Launched in July 2017 and culminating on Clear the Shelters day, Saturday, August 19, the pet adoption initiative included the participation of more than 35 animal shelters across Connecticut. Nationally, the third annual Clear the Shelters campaign resulted in the adoption of more than 68,000 pets. Since 2015, NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ Clear the Shelters campaign has resulted in more than 141,000 pet adoptions.
“Thousands of our viewers turned out for this event, resulting in hundreds of adoptions statewide. It was truly heartwarming to see deserving animals paired with loving families, who are giving these pets a new lease on life,” said Susan Tully, President and General Manager of NBC Connecticut.
One of the success stories of the campaign is Diamond, a 3 year old who had spent far too long at Meriden Animal Control. After NBC Connecticut featured Diamond’s story on its Facebook page, Diamond is now at home with her new family. For a recap of the Clear the Shelters event, click here. http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Over-900-Pets-Adopted-in-Connecticut-for-Clear-the-Shelters_Hartford-441134573.html
Audiences can tune-in later this week to watch special programming that will feature celebrities and their pets and recaps of this year’s pet adoption campaign. Beth Stern, best-selling author and animal lover and Katie Lee, host of Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites, co-host of The Kitchen and author, will co-host “Clear theShelters” a 30-minute post-adoption drive special that will air Friday, August 25 at 7pm on NBC Connecticut.
For more information about Clear the Shelters 2017, including photos and local pet adoption stories, visit nbcconnecticut.com. To access stories and photos from other Clear the Shelters participating markets, visit ClearTheShelters.com. To access information in Spanish, please visit DesocuparLosAlbergues.com. Clear the Shelters is an initiative spearheaded by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal.
Philadelphia
nbc10 Philadelphia / WCAU and Telemundo62 / WWSI announced their popular pet adoption campaign – Clear the Shelters – resulted in 4,837 local pet adoptions. Launched in July 2017 and culminating on Clear the Shelters day, Saturday, August 19, the stations’ pet adoption initiative included the participation of nearly 50 animal shelters in the Greater Philadelphia region. On Saturday alone, 1,450 adoptions took place, a 30 percent increase from 2016. Nationally, the third annual Clear the Shelters campaign resulted in the adoption of more than 68,000 pets. Since 2015, NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ Clear the Shelters campaign has resulted in more than 141,000 pet adoptions.
“We are thrilled to report another successful year for Clear the Shelters, our annual pet adoption campaign,” said Ric Harris, President and General Manager of NBC10 and Telemundo62. “It feels great knowing that through the combined efforts of our partner shelters and rescue groups, volunteers, sponsors, and our viewers, we were able to exceed the number of pet adoptions from last year and helped nearly 5,000 animals find homes this summer.”
Video highlights from Clear the Shelters:
- Brandywine Valley SPCA – West Chester, PA
- ACCT Philly – North Philadelphia
Audiences can tune-in later this week to watch special programming that will feature celebrities and their pets and recaps of this year’s pet adoption campaign. Beth Stern, best-selling author and animal lover and Katie Lee, host of Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites, co-host of The Kitchen and author, will co-host “Clear the Shelters” a 30-minute post-adoption drive special that will air beginning Friday, August 25 on NBC10 at 7 PM. Stephanie Himonidis “Chiquibaby” and Elva Saray of Telemundo 52 / KVEA will present a special that will air on Telemundo62 on Saturday, August 26 (check local listings).
For more information about the stations’ Clear the Shelters 2017 pet adoption campaign, including photos and local pet adoption stories, visit NBC10.com and Telemundo62.com. To access stories and photos from other Clear the Shelters participating markets, visit ClearTheShelters.com. To access information in Spanish, please visit DesocuparLosAlbergues.com. Clear the Shelters is an initiative spearheaded by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal.
Miami/Fort Lauderdale
NBC 6 / WTVJ and Telemundo 51 / WSCV announced that their popular pet adoption campaign – Clear the Shelters – has resulted in 1,977 local pet adoptions. Launched in July 2017 and culminating on Clear the Shelters day, Saturday, August 19, the stations’ pet adoption initiative included the participation of seven animal shelters in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Nationally, the third annual Clear the Shelters campaign resulted in the adoption of more than 70,000 pets. Since 2015, NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ Clear the Shelters campaign has resulted in more than 140,000 pet adoptions.
“It is amazing to see so many shelters and pet rescues willing to waive or deeply discount adoption fees on Clear the Shelters day to help place hundreds of animals in loving homes,” said Larry Olevitch, President and General Manager at NBC 6. “That level of commitment speaks volumes about their dedication to this great cause and it’s something we are proud to support year after year.”
There were many adoption success stories including one deemed the “Biggest Successful Foster Fail.” Click here to read about a young couple that adopted their foster puppy on Clear the Shelters day after having fostered him for only a week.
“We are proud to continue working with our area shelters in this great initiative, which is an integral part of our commitment to serving our community.” said Jorge Carballo, President and General Manager, Telemundo 51.
Audiences can tune-in later this week to watch special programming that will feature celebrities and their pets and recaps of this year’s pet adoption campaign. Beth Stern, best-selling author and animal lover and Katie Lee, host of Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites, co-host of The Kitchen and author, will co-host “Clear the Shelters” a 30-minute post-adoption drive special that will air beginning Friday, August 25 at 7pm on NBC6. Stephanie Himonidis “Chiquibaby” and Elva Saray of Telemundo 52 / KVEA will present a special that will air on Telemundo 51 on Saturday, August 26 at 12pm.
For more information about the stations’ Clear the Shelters 2017 pet adoption campaign, including photos and local pet adoption stories, visit NBC6.com and www.telemundo51.com. To access stories and photos from other Clear the Shelters participating markets, visit ClearTheShelters.com. To access information in Spanish, please visit DesocuparLosAlbergues.com. Clear the Shelters is an initiative spearheaded by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal.
August 25, 2017 UPDATE:
NBC4 Southern California / KNBC and Telemundo 52 Los Angeles / KVEA today announced that their third annual campaign, Clear the Shelters, resulted in more than 10,500 pet adoptions throughout the Southland. The month-long initiative culminated on August 19 across more than 60 animal shelters and attracted record-setting crowds in five counties.
Nationally, the Clear the Shelters campaign generated more than 70,000 pet adoptions, and more than 140,000 adoptions since its inception in 2015. Clear the Shelters is a nationwide initiative led by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.
“This year’s success is unprecedented, resulting in a significant increase in adoptions over last year,” said Steve Carlston, President and General Manager of NBC4 Southern California. “We’re thrilled to see the outpouring of responses from families looking for pets.”
“The response was incredible this year,” said Celia Chavez, President and General Manager of Telemundo 52. “I’m so proud of how our community came together and helped thousands of animals find their new home.”
A 30-minute special, “Clear the Shelters,” will feature celebrities with their pets and recaps of this year’s campaign. Best-selling author and animal lover Beth Stern and author Katie Lee, host of Cooking Channel’s Beach Bites and The Kitchen, will co-host the program on NBC4 this Friday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Stephanie Himonidis “Chiquibaby” and Elva Saray, hosts of Telemundo 52’s Acceso Total, popular weekday entertainment and lifestyle program, will present a special that will air on Telemundo 52 this Saturday, August 26 at 12 p.m.
For those still looking to adopt a pet, visit NBCLA.com/cleartheshelters and Telemundo52.com/desocuparlosalbergues for a map of local shelters. The websites also feature dozens of photos and adoption day highlights.