The National Dog Show Presented by Purina (Photo courtesy of NBC)
The following is a press release from NBC:
NBC will present the 16th anniversary edition of the beloved holiday special “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®” on Thanksgiving Day (noon-2 p.m. in all time zones), Nov. 23, following the telecast of NBC’s “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
“The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®” celebrates man’s best friend and is hosted by award-winning actor, author and Broadway star John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld,” “Dancing with the Stars”). Expert analysis is offered by David Frei, an American Kennel Club-licensed judge and, along with O’Hurley, co-host of USA Network’s “Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina.” NBC’s Mary Carillo will report from the benching area and inside the show ring, while Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir offer a behind-the-scenes look at the show as reporters and digital contributors.
“For 16 years, the ‘National Dog Show Presented by Purina®’ has been at the forefront of the purebred dog world,” said O’Hurley. “I’m proud to be a part of a legacy that not only celebrates such a rich history of dog breeds, but also being part of a tradition that entertains everyone from 4 to 94.”
NBC will present an encore of this year’s “National Dog Show Presented by Purina®” on Saturday, Nov. 25 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT).
Last year, 4-year-old Greyhound Gia was named Best in Show from among the seven group winners. She won over the crowd with her impressively slim and athletic build, beautiful grey coat and outstanding showmanship.
Last year’s broadcast set new records for its 15-year run on NBC, reaching more than 22 million total viewers. An established family holiday tradition, the broadcast is part of a five-hour block of family programming and will showcase more than 2,000 purebred canines competing for the title of Best in Show. Unlike traditional dog show coverage, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show offers the country’s 65 million pet-owning households an afternoon of family-friendly activities, facilitated by the open format of the esteemed event. As one of the only remaining “benched” dog shows, all of the competing breeds are on display for the visiting public.
To continue the family fun, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will present a Thanksgiving Day marathon (beginning 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT) of “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®,” featuring all five Best in Show winners from 2012-16.
In celebration of Thanksgiving and the National Dog Show, Purina is inviting pet owners across the country to share what makes their pet the best, using #DogThanking and tag @Purina. From Nov. 16-26, for every unique post shared on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram that includes @purina and #dogthanking, Purina will donate $1 (up to $50,000) to GreaterGood.org, an organization which helps provide relief for people and pets in areas affecting by hurricanes, including Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.
For more information on the “National Dog Show Presented by Purina®,” visit: http://www.nationaldogshow.com
Breed descriptions and more information can be found at http://nds.nationaldogshow.com/event-info-groups.php
Please follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NBC and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/NBC
Items in Ikea’s Lurvig product line for pets (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
Sweden-based lifestyle company Ikea has launched a product line for pets called Lurvig, which is Swedish for “shaggy.”
Here are more details from an Ikea press release:
“I feel that my pets are the ones who can really take me to the present moment. When we share our time together, my head is more free, and other worries and stress fall away. They teach us respect, and their unconditional love is priceless.”
Ikea’s Lurvig designer Inma Bermudéz (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
If you’re a pet owner, designer Inma Bermudéz’s words might be something that rings true to you too. After all, our pets give us a lot, from that wagging tail that welcomes us home, to that calm company next to us on the sofa, or that unconditional love at every other time. If you ask us, we reckon it’s time to give them something back.
That’s why we brought in Inma to work on the LURVIG range, which is designed to help out all aspects of life with our dogs and cats. Not to mention be long lasting and affordable, while fitting in with your existing home furnishings.
As Inma says: “Our pets have their own personalities but they have five things in common: they love sleeping, eating, playing and exercising, and being close to us. So these behaviors have been the first thing on our minds when designing these products.”
DESIGNING FROM A PET’S PERSPECTIVE
(Photo courtesy of Ikea)
Of course designing products for pets, rather than humans, has its own set of rules and things to consider. To help out, the LURVIG range was developed with the assistance of trained veterinarian Dr. Barbara Schäfer, who also works with product risk assessment at IKEA.
Barbara has an extensive background working with pets – from hamsters and rats all the way up to dogs and cats. She says the biggest challenge is not to “humanize” pet products.
“It’s really important to use an animal’s natural needs and
behaviors (like how they sleep, eat or play) as a starting point. Then we can design a product that fits in with our
human needs, such as style and form.”
The first thing to consider was safety:
“Dogs will definitely chew on their toys and bring in dirt from their daily walks. Cats will definitely scratch on most surfaces and are sensitive to smell and texture. So safe, durable materials are very important.”
As well as looking at animal behaviors like eating.
“Cats are generally good at regulating how much food they eat, however a number of dog breeds still retain the desire to overeat. That’s how the ‘slow feed’ bowl became part of the LURVIG range. By using a design that breaks up a bowl’s internal surface area, it prevents the dog from being able to inhale their food in one or two gulps.”
MATCHING HUMAN DESIGN WITH PET DESIGN
(Photo courtesy of Ikea)
When watching your pet, how often do they go for the same toy or blanket, and return to a cozy spot to chew or maybe just have nearby as a comfort?
Rounding out the LURVIG design process was the focus that our pets live with us at home as part of the family — even if they do take the odd shoe or two.
For Inma, that led to a friendly-smelling bed.
“The piece that I’m most proud of is a pet cushion: we
encourage owners to fill it with their old clothes, blankets or towels. The idea is that pets get a comfortable cushion with comfortable, familiar smells too.”
CAT SCRATCH MAT
Cat scratch mat. W 9⅞×L 24¾”. Sisal/natural (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
With this cat scratching mat, you quickly and easily transform an ordinary table leg into a scratching tree, where your cat can both sharpen their claws and stretch.
You easily attach the cat scratching mat using the sewn-in straps.
CAT HOUSE ON LEGS
LURVIG Cat house on legs. W 13-15⅜×D 13×H 27⅛”. White. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)LURVIG Cat house on legs. W 13-15⅜×D 13×H 27⅛”. White. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
You can place the cat house on legs, hang it on the wall or slide the house into a KALLAX shelving unit. The cat house can also be used as a practical bedside table where the cat can crawl in and you can have small things close at hand on top. On the front side there’s a scratching wall where your cat can sharpen their claws. The opening is designed small to make your cat feel safe.
KALLAX INSERT
A cozy, safe and comfortable sleeping space that you can place on the floor or slide into a KALLAX shelving unit.
When you don’t need the box and want to save space, simply open the zipper in the bottom and fold it flat.
PET BEDFRAME
LURVIG Frame for pet bed. L 27¼×W 17½×H 9½”. White. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
You can use the frame in two different ways: as a cozy nook with medium-high walls or put it upside down to give your pet a clear view in all directions.
KLIPPAN PET BED
LURVIG Cat/dog bed. L 27½×W 26¾×H 11¾”. Black. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
You can quickly and easily create an even larger sleeping
space by folding out the seat cushion. The cover is easy to keep clean since it’s removable and can be machine washed.
SLOW FEED BOWL
LURVIG Slow-feed bowl. 41oz. Green. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
The bowl stays in place since it has an anti-slip material
on the underside. The elevated part in the middle of the bowl ensures that your dog takes smaller bites, which reduces the risk of stomach pain.
Other Lurvig Products
LURVIG Travel Bag.
Polyester, polyethylene foam and
synthetic rubber. Imported. Requires assembly. L 19¾×W 12½×H 13¾”.
Black and green. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
LURVIG Cover for petbed. 100% Polyester. Imported.
Black/White L 20½×13¾”.. Also comes in size L 20×30″. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
LURVIG Cushion 100% polyester removable, machine washable cover. Polyester fiber ball filling. Imported.
L 19¼×W 11¾×H 2¾”. Gray. Also available in orange in white. Additional sizes: L 29¼×W 18×H 4¼” and L 39¼×W 24½×H 5½”. (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
LURVIG Reflective leash,
LURVIG Reflective harness.
LURVIG Reflective collar.
LURVIG Reflective collar,
LURVIG Collar for cat,
LURVIG ID tube, LURVIG Retractable leash.
LURVIG Anti-shock leash (Photo courtesy of Ikea)
Christian Siriano and his exclusive Barbie fashion collection (Photo courtesy of Mattel)
The following is a press release from Mattel:
Christian Siriano, a top fashion designer known for advocating for body positivity, has partnered with the iconic doll to launch a one-of-a-kind collection showcasing red carpet glamour on the four different Barbie® body types found in the brand’s Fashionistas® line.
Four of the one-of-a-kind Barbie looks were inspired by red carpet moments Siriano designed for celebrities, which showcase the evolution of red carpet beauty. The final doll’s gown was inspired by the designer’s Resort 2018 collection to complete the diverse line-up. Siriano continues to challenge the fashion industry’s standards by being more inclusive—a shared value for the Barbie brand.
Christian Siriano’s exclusive Barbie fashion collection (Photo courtesy of Mattel)
“Barbie has always been a huge inspiration to me and I’m honored to be teaming up with this iconic brand,” said Christian Siriano. “It’s especially exciting to be designing an array of inclusive and diverse doll looks that can allow girls to see themselves better represented when they play. It was incredible to recreate iconic red carpet moments and dress my latest muse, Barbie, in a new look from my Resort 2018 collection.”
Over the past three years, the Barbie brand has infused a variety of skin tones, body types, hair styles and fashions into its line—making it the most diverse doll line on the market. The brand is a better reflection of the girls who play with them, and culturally depicts a broader view of beauty currently seen on runways, red carpets, in magazines and with the rise of social media influencers.
“Barbie is a fashion icon—she’s been dressed by a multitude of designers over the years who have used her as a canvas to reflect beauty of the moment,” said Sejal Shah Miller, VP Global Marketing of Barbie. “We are thrilled that Christian is the next designer to be inspired by Barbie and is showcasing a diverse and inclusive view of red carpet looks.”
The Barbie Fashionistas segment continues to exceed expectations, as sales of the line see high double-digit growth globally. Diversity continues to roll out across brand content, marketing and product, including the Fantasy, Entertainment and Careers segments.
Last weekend, North Americans welcomed 30,269 adoptable pets into their hearts and homes during PetSmart Charities’ third National Adoption Weekend of 2017 hosted at 1,500-plus PetSmart stores across the continent, making it the most successful National Adoption Weekend event ever for the leading funder of animal welfare and leading pet specialty retailer. With the help of more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations across the U.S. and Canada, PetSmart and PetSmart Charities found homes for a wide variety of adoptable pets, including dogs, cats, and even small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.
In preparation for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, animal welfare organizations across the country worked together to transport adoptable shelter pets from Florida and Texas to other areas of the country to help free up shelter space in the communities that were in the hurricanes’ paths. That way, pets displaced or left homeless by these storms would have access to shelter, food and veterinary care while they wait to be reunited with their pet parents and families.
Several of PetSmart Charities’ animal welfare partners, such as Last Chance Animal Rescue in Waldorf, Md., were able to bring adoptable pets from the southern U.S. to their East Coast community through pet transport programs. Not only did this make more room in Florida and Texas animal shelters, but it also gave the recently relocated pets a great chance at finding a forever home since adoption demand in many east coast states like Maryland is high.
“During times of natural disasters like the recent hurricanes, it’s inspiring to see how the animal welfare community and pet parents come together. While PetSmart Charities is always focused on getting more pets out of shelters through successful adoption events like the one hosted this past weekend, during times of natural disaster, it’s even more important to clear shelter space and assemble resources animal welfare agencies are going to need to care for pets displaced during the storms,” says David Haworth, DVM, Ph.D. and president of PetSmart Charities. “By adopting a pet this past weekend, not only did families give a shelter pet the forever home they deserve, but unbeknownst to them, they also had a hand in helping rescues and shelters to care for, assist and reunite pets and pet parents impacted by the hurricanes.”
Pet Parents Supporting Pets in Need
Many pet parents and animal welfare organizations across North America are looking for ways to help pets affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. To provide additional support to pets and pet parents in need, PetSmart stores invited shoppers to donate pet supplies and food to local animal welfare partners. In all, a record-setting 615,000-plus items from stores across the U.S. and Canada were donated to support pets in need. Donations will support pets in local communities, as well as emergency relief efforts following the historic hurricanes along the Gulf Coast and wildfires along the West Coast.
# # #
About PetSmart®
PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 55,000 associates, operate more than 1,500 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as pet-focused services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart® Doggie Day Camp® and pet adoption. PetSmart, together with non-profits PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, invite more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 7.6 million adoptions – more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. The company’s portfolio of digital resources for pet parents includes PetSmart.com, OnlyNaturalPet.com, petMD.com, Pawculture.com, AllPaws, an online pet adoption platform that helps potential pet parents find the perfect pet to adopt based on their home, family and lifestyle, as well as BlogPaws, the world’s first pet blogger and influencer network. Through these digital platforms, PetSmart offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, PetSmart launched its philanthropic Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program in March 2017, see petsmart.com/giveameal for details. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary.
Turn your passion for pets into a career you’ll love! Visit careers.petsmart.com to learn more about corporate, retail store and Distribution Center opportunities.
About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization with a mission to find lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. In addition to finding homes for almost 500,000 shelter pets each year through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities provides funding to non-profits aligned with its mission through four key areas of grant support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets; and Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the pin pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses 90 cents of every dollar donated and has become the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, donating about $300 million to date. PetSmart Charities, a 501(c)(3) organization, has received the Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator, an independent organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 14 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
Toys “R” Us, the iconic toy retailer founded in 1948, has filed for bankruptcy, According to the New York Times, the company (which also own Babies “R” Us and the FAO Schwarz retail brands) owes more than $5 billion in long-term debt to its creditors, which include Mattel and Hasbro. Toys “R” Us currently has more than 1,600 retail stores around the world (about 800 of those stores are in the U.S.), and the vast majority of toys “R” Us stores are expected to be closed in 2018. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 18, 2017.
Originally headquartered in Washington, D.C., Toys “R” Us is currently based in Wayne, New Jersey. In recent years, the company has faced stiff competition from Amazon, Walmart and Target, which have been able to offer larger toy inventories and bigger discounts.
Toys “R” Us chairman/CEO Dave Brandon commented in a statement about the bankruptcy: “Today marks the dawn of a new era at Toys “R” Us, where we expect that the financial constraints that have held us back will be addressed in a lasting and effective way,”
Hurricane season is underway, and the year 2017 is expected to have record-setting hurricane devastation. Here are American Humane’s tips for pet owners on what to do before, during and after a hurricane or other major storm:
Before the storm
NEVER leave animals behind. Review your evacuation plans and know a safe place where your pets can go if you need to evacuate. Evacuation destinations may include a friend or family member’s home, going to a pet-friendly hotel, or temporarily housing your pet(s) at a boarding facility. Plan multiple routes to your safe destination.
Microchip your pets and properly affix a tag on your pet’s collar with your name, address and cellphone number so they may be returned quickly in case you are separated from your pets. Update your microchip registrations and pet license information to ensure its current and consider including the name and contact information of an out-of-area contact just in case you are unreachable in a disaster zone.
Tie down or anchor outside objects that might fly about and injure someone.
Double-check your disaster preparedness kit for your pets (e.g., First Aid kit, leashes, and pets’ carrying cases, bowls, sanitation materials, chew toy, minimum 3 days, ideally 7-10 days of food, meds, water).
Evacuate your family and pets as early as you can and remember to take your family and your pet’s disaster preparedness kit if you do leave.
Bring children and pets inside; bring outdoor animals inside with a carrier ready large enough to turn around and lie down comfortably.
Have a carrier and leashes at the ready.
If your family must evacuate, ALWAYS take your pets with you.
During the storm….if you cannot evacuate
Choose a safe room for riding out the storm—an interior room without windows – and take your entire family there, including your pets.
Stay with pets. If crated, they depend on you for food and water.
Keep your emergency kit in that room with you (food, water, litter, meds).
Know your pet’s hiding places. That’s where they may run; keep them with you.
Secure exits and cat doors so pets can’t escape into the storm.
Do not tranquilize your pets. They’ll need their survival instincts should the storm require that.
After the storm
Make sure the storm has fully passed before going outside and assess damages before allowing children or animals out.
Keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier, and children close at hand. Displaced objects and fallen trees can disorient pets and sharp debris could harm them.
Give pets time to become re-oriented. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and cause a pet to become confused or lost.
Keep kids and animals away from hazards such as downed power lines and water that may be contaminated.
Uncertainty and change in the environment affect animals, presenting new stresses and dangers. Your pet’s behavior may change after a crisis, becoming more aggressive or self-protective. Be sensitive to these changes and keep more room between them, other animals, children or strangers. Animals need comforting, too. Comfort your pet with kind words and lots of pats or hugs. If possible, provide a safe and quiet environment, even if it is not their own home.
Katie Lee and Beth Stern promoting “Clear the Shelters” Day on WNBC-TV New York (Photo courtesy of WNBC-TV/NBC4)
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.
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.”
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.
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal today announced that Snapchat will feature content from the stations’ Clear the Shelters third annual nationwide pet adoption campaign in its “Stories” section on Saturday, August 19. Videos and snaps of users with their pets and participating animal shelters will be featured in the app’s special Clear the Shelters “Stories” section this weekend. In addition, audiences all across the country will be able to activate Snapchat filters that will complement the stations’ pet adoption campaign.
Clear the Shelters is a first-of-its-kind pet adoption campaign that is spearheaded by NBC and Telemundo-owned stations. The stations’ pet adoption initiative includes the participation of more than 75 NBC and Telemundo stations, and nearly one thousand animal shelters across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. The campaign’s robust social media campaign #ClearTheShelters, #DesocuparLosAlbergues has already garnered support from various celebrities including Kristen Bell from NBC’s The Good Place, model Kate Upton, and Telemundo’s Carmen Villalobos, to name a few. On Clear the Shelters day August 19, participating animal shelters will offer low cost or waived pet adoption fees. Since the effort was expanded nationally in 2015, the stations’ Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign has resulted in more than 70,000 pet adoptions.
“We’re excited to partner with Snapchat to offer audiences an entirely new way to stay up-to-date with all the wonderful pet adoption stories that we’ll be sharing from our Clear the Shelters events this weekend,” said Lora Dennis, Senior Vice President of Digital Media, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “Clear the Shelters has become a summer tradition for many communities and we cannot wait for audiences to watch all the fun videos and snaps and also join our social media campaign.”
For more information about the pet adoption campaign, 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.
The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the Petco Foundation are teaming up to provide a substantial grant of $1.5 million to Dogs Playing For Life to expand and elevate its innovative playgroup enrichment training to shelters across the country.
This partnership will begin in Los Angeles County – building on the success the program has already seen at both the Downey Animal Care Center and the Carson Animal Care Center, with plans to eventually extend to all LA County Animal Care Centers.
Even as shelter statistics have continued to improve, large-breed and pit-bull type dogs remain at-risk in shelters due to persistent and pervasive misinformation and misconceptions that prejudice people against them.
Dogs Playing For Life is a creative program that provides socialization and enrichment for shelter dogs in the form of structured playgroups and is aimed at improving the lives of our country’s most at-risk dogs. It also enables shelter staff to better understand each dog’s personality and share that information with potential adopters, increasing the likelihood that participating dogs find safe and loving homes.
“Playgroups give this large-breed dog population the opportunity to do what they were made to do – run around, socialize, learn from each other, and show their personalities,” said Aimee Sadler, founder of Dogs Playing For Life. “This grant from the ASPCA and the Petco Foundation will have a great impact on the number of shelters and dogs who participate in our training and daily playgroup activities. We’re grateful to be supported by two organizations with such a long history of innovation and advocacy in animal welfare.”
“Dogs Playing For Life’s inventive approach will improve the quality of life of shelter dog populations and help defeat life-threatening stereotypes,” said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. “We commend Dogs Playing For Life’s innovation and commitment, and are proud to work with the Petco Foundation to support this program’s expansion nationwide. This initiative has significant potential to help vulnerable canine populations, and we look forward to seeing the impact it has across the country.”
“It is amazing how something so simple – large dog playgroups – can be so transformational,” said Susanne Kogut, Executive Director of the Petco Foundation. “These playgroups not only showcase the positive, fun nature of these dogs, they force many people to rethink popular misconceptions that these dogs are not friendly with others. Additionally, playgroups create a better atmosphere for caring shelter staff who see these dogs romping happily in play instead of sitting alone in their kennels. Our goal is that dog playgroups become standard in shelters throughout the country, just like free roaming cat adoption rooms have become commonplace. We are excited to partner with the ASPCA and Dogs Playing For Life to change the face of animal sheltering throughout the nation and to help further the goal of creating lifesaving communities.”
The following is a press release from NBCUniversal:
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, today announced VIP Petcare returns as a repeat national sponsor of the NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ annual Clear the Shelters nationwide pet adoption campaign. VIP Petcare will donate more than $200 of preventive veterinary services to individuals that adopt a pet at this event. The $200 includes one free dose each of prescription flea/ tick and heartworm preventative medication.
Clear the Shelters is a nationwide pet adoption campaign that is spearheaded by NBC and Telemundo-owned stations. The stations’ Clear the Shelters annual pet adoption campaign has become a popular event for communities all throughout the country and includes the participation of hundreds of animal shelters. On Saturday, August 19, participating animal shelters will offer low cost or waived pet adoption fees. Since the effort was expanded nationally in 2015, the stations’Clear the Shelters efforts have resulted in more than 70,000 pet adoptions.
“VIP Petcare’s continued support of the NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ Clear the Shelterspet adoption campaign will ensure that our stations and partner shelters deliver a memorable event for communities and pet adopters all across the country,” said Bruce Kallner, Senior Vice President of Strategic Sales and Marketing, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “We’re excited to work with a partner that values the importance of quality pet care and wellness and look forward to another successful Clear the Shelters day.”
VIP Petcare’s goal is to not only find forever homes for shelter and rescue pets, but to educate all pet owners on the importance of ongoing pet wellness care. The company is dedicated to keeping every pet healthy, happy and safe. Through a network of over 2700 clinics nationwide, VIP Petcare provides vaccinations, diagnostic testing, microchipping and other wellness veterinary care to pets and their parents.
“We are honored to sponsor Clear the Shelters for the second consecutive year,” said Will Santana, CEO and Founder of VIP Petcare. “Thousands of pets will find a home on August 19 and we are committed to ensuring they get a healthy start in their new life.”
For more information about the pet adoption campaign, visit ClearTheShelters.com. You can also follow the effort on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtags #ClearTheShelters and #LoveMyPet. To access information in Spanish, please visit DesocuparLosAlbergues.comand follow #DesocuparLosAlbergues and #AmoAMiMascota.
