clear the shelters

Furry friends around San Diego are gearing up for a tail-wagging celebration.

Los Angeles and Orange Coast magazines announced winners of the first-ever PetFest Cutest Pet Contest. Local residents entered and voted for their cutest pets in the online contest to help raise funds for local charities.

On July 8 and July 9 at 7 p.m., NBC4 Clear the Shelters participant CatCafe Lounge Los Angeles is hosting a free Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) virtual seminar. The online event is open to the community for those interested in learning about how to humanely trap and care for homeless and feral cats and provide them the care they…

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.

Join NBC4 Inland Empire Bureau Chief Tony Shin as he hosts San Bernardino County’s Homeward Bound Virtual Pet Adoption event on Saturday, June 26 at 10 a.m. via Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/HomewardBoundPets.. Tune in to meet a variety of loveable pets ready to go to forever homes from several animal shelters based in the county, including Apple Valley Animal Shelter,...

Riverside County-based Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV), part of the NBC4 Clear the Shelters family of animal shelters, has been selected as a 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Kelly Seyarto of District 67 and the California Association of Nonprofits. The organization will be honored by state senators and assembly members for its significant contributions to the…

Nine puppies that were rescued by San Diego Humane Society personnel after their stray mother took shelter under a van to protect her newborns from the rain have all been adopted, shelter officials said.

The Helen Woodward Animal Center has announced that it is seeking the perfect families to adopt a couple of overweight and adorable pets in hopes they can help them maintain a healthy diet and exercise.

In honor of upcoming National Pet Day, we visit Paw Works’ new location in Ventura County to play with the best furry friends—puppies. Kim gets the tour of the center—known as a rescue haven for animals in line to be put down—and meets the owner on a mission to find all these little guys homes. Watch out for the cute...

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.

Los Angeles has become no-kill for the first time thanks to the efforts of the city, L.A. Animal Services, a coalition of animal welfare organizations, compassionate leaders and a dedicated community.   When Best Friends Animal Society first launched the NKLA (No-Kill Los Angeles) initiative in 2012, only 56 percent of dogs and cats were making it out of Los...

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.

UPDATE: NBC4 and Telemundo 52 Clear the Shelters was a big success with nearly 12,000 pets adopted locally in the Southland and more than 130,000 adoptions nationally. The campaign also raised more than $35,000 to support local animal shelters and more than $1.185 million coast to coast. Visit nbcla.com/cleartheshelters year around for animal stories and participating shelters to adopt a…

Berkeley Humane has offered dog training for 35 years, but this year is unlike any other. Ian Cull reports.

This 6-year-old is raising money to help the Long Beach Animal Care Services. Kathy Vara reports Aug. 28, 2020.

Spike is the Clear the Shelters Pets of the Week for Friday Aug. 28, 2020. The 2-year-old tan chihuahua came into OC Animal Care a little shy, but the staff has been working with him and they say he’s a “sweet” pup. He loves treats, according to the staff. “He’s just looking for someone to hang out with on the…

Spike, a 2-year-old Chihuahua, is looking for his forever family. As seen on Today in LA on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020.

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