Get rates for your pet:

See My Rates »
Retrieve a Saved Quote

Clear the Shelters Day to Run Entire Month

By Christy True
August 20, 2021 • 3 min. read
Cat at a shelter

Traditionally, ‘Clear the Shelters’ has been observed for one day in August. Last year, because of COVID-19, the pet adoption drive was extended to span the whole month of August.

This year, as COVID continues to impact lives, the month-long push to find loving homes for animals in need continues, running Aug. 23-Sept. 19. Animal shelters across the country are teaming up with NBC Universal and Telemundo on an “Adopt & Donate” effort featuring virtual pet adoptions and easy online donating to participating shelters and rescues.

Dog at a shelter
Shelters still recovering from past year

Since the coronavirus started its rapid spread in the U.S. in March of 2020, the picture for shelters has been mixed. Many people who are spending more time at home or working from home have adopted or fostered dogs and cats for the first time. Most shelters had to curb operations and cancel fundraisers as the virus spread.

Now most shelters are back to full operations. The good news is that it doesn’t appear people are returning or surrendering pets in large numbers as many return to workplaces. And people are still adopting new pets.

PetPoint, which collects data from 1,132 animal welfare groups across the country, said that the number of pets adopted actually increased by about 11 percent in July versus a year ago.  At the same time, more stray dogs and cats came into shelters, and euthanasia rates were up significantly from a year ago (up 37 percent for dogs and 16 percent for cats).

What Healthy Paws is doing to help during Clear the Shelters Month

Steps for Strays logoThe Healthy Paws Foundation is participating in the Clear the Shelters campaign by sponsoring a virtual walk called “Steps for Strays“ to help raise money for homeless pets.

We asked our followers to take a walk (pets encouraged!), share a photo or video along the way, and we donated  $10 for every registered participant to benefit homeless pets.

The total donation of $10,340 went to the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in Lynnwood and Seattle, Wash., which has saved the lives of over 140,000 cats and dogs to date.

Healthy Paws Foundation helps throughout the year

In addition to special events, the foundation has donated more than $200,000 to nonprofit pet rescues this year through its grant program and employee-voted giving program.

Here are the nonprofits the Healthy Paws Foundation has supported this year:

Pawsitive Alliance $14,000
Aspire Appalachia $2,500
Pet Connect Rescue $2,500
River Valley Animal Protection League $2,500
Day One Animal Rescue $2,500
Furry Friends Rockin Rescue $2,500
SouthernTails for Precious Paws $2,500
Save Them All Rescue Services $2,500
All Breed Dog Rescue $2,500
The Cat’s Voice WV $2,500
Once Upon a Tail Rescue $2,500
Help Animals Live Today $1,250
Apollo Support & Rescue $750
Paws Atlanta $500
Austin Pets Alive $5,000
San Antonio Pets Alive $5,000
Big Love Rescue $5,000
Wright-Way Rescue $5,000
God’s Dogs Rescue $5,000
Saving Paws 4 Love $2,500
All Paws Safe Haven $1,250
Northern Lakes Rescue $750
Angel’s Retreat $500
Flying Fur Animal Rescue $5,000
Pawsitive Difference Pet Rescue $3,000
FACT Animal Rescue $3,000
Path of Hope Rescue $3,000
Kitten Nuggets $3,000
Helpless Hounds $3,000
Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue Inc $3,000
Saving Hope Animal Rescue $2,500
Dogs Forever $1,250
Animal Rescue New Orleans $750
Labs4Rescue, Inc. $500
Rescue Express $5,000
HALO K9 $3,000
For Pet’s Sake Rescue $3,000
Paws of Perseverance $3,000
Rescue Road Trips $5,000
Lily’s Legacy $5,000
Greater Good Charities $5,625
Human Animal Bond Research Foundation $25,000
Albert’s Dog Lounge $2,500
Pets4luv $1,250
Felines & Canines $750
Gigi’s Rescue $750
Mojo’s Hope $2,500
Feline Friendz in Nebraska $1,250
Melissa’s Second Chances $750
Animal Rescue of Carroll $500
Second Chance Air $5,000
Sandi Paws Rescue $3,000
Needy Paws Rescue $3,000
Kind Keeper Animal Rescue $3,000
No Dogs Left Behind $3,300
SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare $3,000
Animal Shelter Partners $3,000
Amsterdam Kitten Adoption $3,000
Operation Roger Truckers Pet Transport $5,000
Safe Place for Pets $2,500
The Rescue Crew $1,250
Saving Sumter’s Strays $750
SFC Virginia $500
Project Freedom Ride $5,000
People Promoting Animal Welfare $3,000
Humane Society of Sarasota County $3,000
American Lab Rescue $3,000


About the foundation:
The Healthy Paws Foundation was started in 2009 and it has helped hundreds of pet rescues and animal shelters by providing grants to help fund medical care, spay/neuter surgeries, food, shelter, and operating costs. Since its founding, it has donated nearly $1.6 million to deserving nonprofit, no-kill rescues.

 

Christy True and Tomas
By Christy True

Christy has been writing about pets for Healthy Paws for 21 dog years. She previously worked in journalism, hence her penchant for writing about offbeat animal studies and the latest viral pet trends. She has been owned by several dogs, and right now, Tomas, a Mexican street dog rescue, is staring at her because he wants a walk. Outside of work, she can usually be found sliding down a mountain near her home in Bend, Ore.

Show more