clear the shelters

An animal therapy program in California is using rescue horses to help at-risk children in Los Angeles overcome their trauma. The Huntington Beach, Calif.-based program, called Free Rein, uses formerly wild horses that might otherwise be destined for a slaughterhouse to connect with children struggling with violence, abuse and grief.

A few years ago, I was struggling with my mental health in a way I never had before. That’s when I decided to adopt my best friend, Pippa. Ever since, my life has been happier. I’ve often wondered: Is there a science behind the powerful, healing bond between a pet and their human? Turns out, there is.

Over the past three years, the island of Puerto Rico has faced mounting disasters – the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017, several large earthquakes and aftershocks in 2020, and, most recently, the coronavirus pandemic. The disasters have left non-profit animal rescue groups like Animal Lighthouse Rescue with a big problem on their hands as the population of stray dogs, called…

People often use laser pointers to play with their cats, but it may not be the best way to have fun with your cat. Certified cat behavior consultant Marilyn Krieger explains why.

A local shelter dog has overcome the odds and is now looking for a permanent home. Sylvia was born without the use of her back legs. Her foster mom said she was found in a forest in Puerto Rico. Sylvia apparently had to drag her legs behind her to keep up with her siblings. “She could’ve given up when...

A local shelter dog has overcome the odds and is now looking for a permanent home. Aimee Cho reports.

The ‘No-Kill’ animal movement has saved millions of animals, but PETA says it’s had an unintended dire consequence.

Meet Kerith — a certified crisis response therapy dog offering comfort and support to firefighters in California.

Pet insurance company Trupanion released a list of its top 10 dog names for 2020 based on its database of more than 500,000 insured pets. Some popular and even classic names continued to dominate the list this year, but some new contenders were also featured.

After a close call, a Glendale grandmother feels grateful for her dog Sandy and for a city sanitation worker, who happened to be at the right place at the right time.

“No relationship really lasts for me the past years, especially with ‘SNL.’ I’m always heartbroken,” said “Saturday Night Live” actress Melissa Villaseñor. “I would speak with Cecily [Strong], and Cecily said, ‘I think everyone on the cast should have a dog.’” 

The number one reason? “They’re just too soft,” says “Saturday Night Live’s” Melissa Villaseñor. “You don’t want soft things around you, do you? You need rough things.” She would know—her rescue Penny is very soft.

As part of her commitment to finding animals a good home, Villaseñor partnered with Clear the Shelters and designed a t-shirt starring her and her dog Penny. 100% of the net proceeds go to Greater Good and Clear the Shelters funds.

A Maryland nonprofit is dedicated to helping rabbits find permanent homes. News4’s Megan McGrath has the details.

There’s never been a better time to adopt, and these animals are all looking for their forever home. Are you ready to add a new four-legged member to your family? Animal shelters across the country are once again teaming up with NBC and Telemundo stations to find loving homes for pets in need with the annual Clear The Shelters campaign....

News4’s Megan McGrath introduces us to Brock, who needs a special family to give him a forever home. You can learn more about how to adopt or donate to Clear The Shelters here.

Have you and your pet spent so much time together during quarantine that you’ve started to look the same? News4’s Pat Collins has launched the Pat’s Prized Pets Lookalike Challenge to see which owner and pet pair are truly twinning.

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” actor Skylar Astin discusses his involvement with NBC’s “Clear the Shelters” campaign which has provided over 411,000 pet adoptions since 2015. Astin will be doing “A Home for Hilly” ebook live reading where Hill’s Pets will donate a $1 per view up to $10,000.