Woof! 1,000 happy L.A. pets get new homes on ‘Clear the Shelters Day’

Around 1,000 pets had new homes Sunday after being adopted from animal shelters across Los Angeles County as adoption fees were reduced or eliminated as part of a nationwide Clear the Shelters Day.

The effort was held in regions across the country, sponsored primarily by NBC-owned television stations.

“I’m proud that our stations are working with so many local animal shelters throughout the Southland to help rescue thousands of animals,” said Steve Carlson, president and general manager of NBC4. “This is an exciting initiative to support an important community cause and mobilize millions of people to adopt a pet from their neighborhood shelter.”

Participating shelters offered adoptions for just $20. NBC4 sponsored free adoptions for the first customers at select shelters during Saturday’s event.

More than 300 shelters in 19 cities in the United States participated.

In Los Angeles, adopted pets weren’t limited to dogs, cats and rabbits. Even a family of quail and a goose were among the animals who found new homes as the Clear the Shelters Day initiative wound down, NBC4 reported.

More information is available online at www.cleartheshelters.com.

—City News Service