It's that time of year again when all of the North Texas animal shelters, 64 shelters and three rescue organizations to be exact, will open their doors, waive their fees and work toward clearing out their shelters. The Clear the Shelters campaign will be sweeping across the country, and most importantly, North Texas, this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Thousands of cuddly creatures – dogs, cats, even bunnies, mice, and hamsters are waiting for you to take them home. Every year during the summer due to the birthing cycle, shelters are flooded with unwanted and stray animals.
What makes this one-day a year very special is that all pet adoptions are completely free. Most animals you will find at the shelters will already be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and chipped.
The Clear the Shelters campaign began in North Texas in 2014 with 38 participating shelters. The one-day event resulted in 2,273 adoptions. To assist the campaign, local news organizations like Telemundo and NBC5 covered the story, with anchors and reporters attending different shelters across North Texas. The next year, 2015, 56 shelters participated and 6,723 animals were adopted – all in one day. NBC5, NBCUniversal, and other NBCU television stations took hold of the event and spread it around the country. Thanks to combined efforts of shelters, citizens, and news stations, nearly 20,000 animals were adopted into loving homes throughout the nation in 2015.
This year is expected to be even bigger and better. More than 300 animal shelters from across the country, including Puerto Rico, will be joining together to find new homes for the furry (and maybe even scaly) ones who need love the most. Thanks to massive amounts of coverage from 48 news stations, Clear the Shelters 2016 has incredible potential.
It's hard to deny yourself a new cuddly companion, but ask yourself a few questions before adopting a pet. Are you prepared for all the trials and tribulations that come with the pet, along with all the love and joy? Can you afford to take on a new companion at the moment? Does everyone in your home agree on adopting a pet? As you know, most shelter animals have already been through a lot, whether it is growing up on the streets or being left on the doorsteps of the shelter or in some cases, being greatly mistreated.
If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then it sounds like you better get ready for Saturday. Adopt a pet and give them the forever home of their dreams.
Here are some participating Fort Worth locations:
The City of Fort Worth Animal Shelter, 4900 Martin St., Fort Worth, 76119
PetSmart Hulen, 4800 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, 76109
PetSmart Alliance, 2901 Texas Sage Trail, Fort Worth, 6177
HSNT Saxe Forte, 1840 E. Lancaster, Fort Worth, 76103
HSNT Waggin' Tails Adoption Center, 9009 Benbrook Blvd., Benbrook, 76126
Animal Hope, 6708 S. Hulen, Fort Worth, 76133