NJ pets in need: Aug. 12, 2019 – NJ.com

Greg Hatala/For NJ Advance Media

Help ‘Clear the Shelters’ on Aug. 17

Clear the Shelters is an annual pet adoption drive sponsored by NBC- and Telemundo-owned television stations across the country. In 2018, a total of 102,686 pets found homes as part of the drive.

More than 1,000 shelters and rescues have already registered to participate in this year’s campaign.

The program began in North Texas in 2014 as a partnership among the NBC and Telemundo stations in Dallas-Fort Worth and dozens of North Texas animal shelters. More than 2,200 homeless animals were adopted that first year, the most in a single day in North Texas.

“We are excited for Clear The Shelters to return to communities everywhere for a fifth year in a row,” said Valari Staab, president, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “Thanks to our wonderful shelter and affiliate partners and our sponsors Cat’s Pride and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the happiest day of the year is right around the corner. We are all looking forward to make this year’s campaign the best one yet.”

Every year, millions of companion animals end up in shelters across the country. And while shelter adoption rates have been steadily rising since 2011, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 1.5 million animals — 860,000 cats and about 670,000 dogs — are still euthanized each year due to overcrowding.

The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. And, by adopting a shelter animal, you actually save two lives.

“Every single pet that is adopted frees shelter staff up to work with and prepare the next pet for potential adoption,” said Kenny Lamberti, director of strategic engagement and companion animals for the Humane Society.

For more information on the program and participating shelters and rescues, go to cleartheshelters.com.

Bergen County Protect and Rescue

Chico is a 2-year-old male pit bull terrier in the care of Bergen County Protect and Rescue in Cliffside Park. For more information, call 201-945-0649 or go to bcrescues.org.

EASEL Animal Rescue League

Noah is a male domestic shorthair kitten in the care of EASEL Animal Rescue League in Ewing.  For more information, email apps@easelnj.org, call 6o9-883-0540 or go to easelnj.org.

St. Hubert’s Noah’s Ark

Ellie is a 6-year-old female American foxhound at St. Hubert’s Noah’s Ark in Ledgewood. For more information, call 973-448-7601, email amagyar@sthuberts.org or go to sthuberts.org/noahs-ark.