By KELLI BENDERIt’s the perfect day to adopt a pet! On Saturday, Aug. 17,
thousands of rescue-pet shelters across the United
States and Puerto Rico will waive or reduce their
adoption fees—thanks to Clear the Shelters, a pet-
adoption campaign supported by Comcast
NBCUniversal-owned television stations. “Shelters
are doing a great job at helping to match families with
their new pets,” says Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson,
who’s hosting the Clear the Shelters TV special airing
on NBC stations beginning Aug. 23 (check local list-
ings). “But we also need to do our part to support shel-
ters and encourage more pet adoptions.”
The program, launched in 2014, has grown to
include stations in 160 markets and more than
1,100 animal shelters around the country—and
placed more than 250,000 dogs, cats, rabbits
and other pets in forever homes. For more
information on participating shelters near you,
visit cleartheshelters.com.AdoGOOFY, 2
This energetic dog at
California’s Sacramento
SPCA is a Siberian
husky-Alaskan
malamute mix who’s
looking for a family to
take him on long hikes.KELE, 7 MONTHS
This special-needs kitten
at PAWS Chicago needs
an adopter with a
big heart who can give
her a full, happy life.ELIZA, 10
Like her namesake,
Eliza Doolittle, the
schnauzer mix is a “fair
lady,” according to the
Maryland SPCA, and
will make a sweet pet.
MELON, 1
At the Hinsdale
Humane Society in
Illinois, this terrier mix is
ready to share snuggles
with a forever family.MORETO, 2
The Humane Society of
Puerto Rico describes
this Labrador mix as a
“noble soul” who’s
“intelligent” and
able to get along with
people of all ages.