Do you long to adopt all the animals that need forever homes? We feel the same way, and the time is near to show a little love to our region’s shelter and rescue pets. From Aug. 1-31, 2020, animal shelters across the country will be teaming up with NBC and Telemundo stations with its month-long “Clear the Shelters” pet adoption campaign. It’s a wonderful way to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, while helping pets in need find loving pet parents.

A number of Hampton Roads area animal shelters and rescue groups will be participating in this year’s event. To keep it safe by social distancing, organizers have arranged for virtual pet adoptions and online giving options. Just go to www.cleartheshelters.com and download the WeRescue iOs app to view adoptable pets, submit your pet adoption applications and ask questions directly to the shelters. You can also go to www.24petshelter.com/cleartheshelter to locate the participating shelters and pets that are available in our area.

Of course, one can adopt pets at any time, and Hampton Roads is blessed with a host of wonderful non-profit animal shelters and rescue organizations that could use our help. A listing appears below. If you aren’t able to adopt, you can still support these local shelter efforts by:

  • Making an online donation
  • Volunteering at their sites
  • Donating supplies (call to see what they need)
  • Making sure your own pet has an ID tag or microchip, in case they stray from home
  • Recommending adoption to others

To date, the “Clear the Shelters” campaign has helped more than 410,000 pets find new homes. Let’s see what Hampton Roads can do as a community to help even more pets this month. Let’s open our hearts, clear the shelters and give these pets a happy life.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Humane Society

Animal Care and Adoption