NBCUniversal Teams with VIP Petcare & ASPCA to 'Clear the Shelters'

VIP Petcare has joined with NBCUniversal Owned Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, to support the second annual Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign. VIP Petcare will provide free preventative veterinary services, including vaccinations, microchipping, diagnostic testing and prescription flea, tick and heartworm preventative medication to all adopted pets during Clear the Shelters day which takes place on Saturday, July 23.

Additionally, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has awarded grants to participating shelters all across the country.

"The support of VIP Petcare and the ASPCA - for our second annual Clear the Shelters nationwide pet adoption campaign - is sure to encourage another successful year for this incredible effort," said Bruce Kallner, Senior Vice President of Strategic Sales and Marketing, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. "Each of these companies is leaders in pet care and pet wellness and together we will help many pets find forever homes this year."

"We are excited to be a national sponsor of this important event," says Will Santana, Founder and CEO of VIP Petcare. "As a leader in pet wellness and preventative care, VIP Petcare is dedicated to improving the lives of pets and the people who love them. Clear the Shelters will help many pets find a home and we are committed to helping those pets get a healthy start on their new lives."

"Collaboration is critical to saving lives, so we're proud to join this national team effort to make Clear the Shelters another great success," said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. "We're providing nearly $150,000 in grant funding to help participating shelters find safe and loving homes for as many local animals as possible."

The second annual Clear the Shelters event comes after last year's highly successful inaugural effort, which resulted in nearly 20,000 pets finding new homes through an unprecedented partnership between the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations and hundreds of ANIMAL shelters located all across the country and in Puerto Rico. The nationwide day of action emptied dozens of ANIMAL shelters across the country and inspired local communities to take action and open their homes to animals in need.

This year, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations' nationwide pet adoption effort will feature special shows and programming that will air on local stations before and after the pet adoption drive (check local listings). Each participating local station will also engage local viewers with news and information across various platforms, including on air during local newscasts, online and via social media, to help raise awareness about the actual pet adoption day as well as related ANIMAL welfare issues, like the overpopulation of shelters.

For more information about the national pet adoption drive, visit www.ClearTheShelters.com. You can also follow the effort on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtag #ClearTheShelters (#DesocuparLosAlbergues, in Spanish). Additionally, Clear the Shelters themed Snapchat filters will be activated on July 23 for pet adopters and supporters to enjoy as they document their day.