More than a quarter of a million pets have found homes during the NBC and Telemundo Clear the Shelters pet adoption drives over the last four years.
Folks at the Hinsdale Humane Society — along with 1,000-plus participating shelters and rescues across the country — hope to see that number climb during the fifth annual event Saturday, Aug. 17.
Ten dogs and 13 cats from the Hinsdale Humane Society found their forever homes during the 2018 drive. Humane society staff members expect to see a higher number of adoptions this year, with the additional space — and additional pets — available since the new Tuthill Family Pet Rescue and Resource Center opened in November.
Individuals and families who are thinking of getting a pet might not realize that about half of the puppies and dogs at HHS have been rescued from overcrowded, high-kill, poorly funded animal control facilities in southern Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Transport groups, run entirely by volunteers, save the lives of adoptable but vulnerable dogs and cats that might be euthanized if they are not moved from facilities with low adoption rates.
The humane society’s ability to provide foster and veterinary care allow it to take in animals that might be less desirable to other organizations due to their age or medical condition. The Clear the Shelters campaign has been successful in finding homes for some of those pets that are harder to place.
Residents who are not in a position to adopt an animal but who are interested in supporting the shelter can purchase an item of the donation wish list, which is available on the shelter’s website at https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org and at https://www.amazon.com.
Items on the list include kitty litter (unscented, nonclumping clay), canned cat food (no fish flavors), canned dog food, Purina Kitten Chow, dry dog and puppy food (Purina One, Purina Pro Plan and Blue Buffalo are preferred) with no artificial dyes, Purina Cat Chow Complete, liquid bleach (not splashless), unscented high efficiency laundry detergent, white copy/printer paper, toilet paper, paper towels, postage stamps and gift cards (PetSmart, Sam’s Club and PetCo).
Cash donations are always welcome as well and can be made through the society’s website.
Fundraising work by NBC and Telemundo, in partnership with Michelson Found Animals, has generated almost $1.6 million to help offset the cost of offering reduced or waived fees during Clear the Shelters in addition to supporting day-to-day operations. HHS will waive all adoption fees for any pet older than 6 months during the drive.
Perhaps the biggest incentive to participate is that when a rescue pet is adopted, two lives are saved: the one of the pet that will be brought home and that of the homeless pet who gets to fill that spot at the shelter.
So head over to the shelter at 21 Salt Creek Lane from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, and find a pet to become part of the family. Bambi, Mosley, Annabelle and Oreo — some of the dogs and cats now available for adoption — and their friends will thank you for it.
