Greg Hatala/For NJ Advance Media

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Help ‘Clear the Shelters’ on Aug. 17

Clear the Shelters is an annual pet adoption drive sponsored by NBC- and Telemundo-owned television stations across the country. In 2018, a total of 102,686 pets found homes as part of the drive.

More than 1,000 shelters and rescues have already registered to participate in this year's campaign.

The program began in North Texas in 2014 as a partnership among the NBC and Telemundo stations in Dallas-Fort Worth and dozens of North Texas animal shelters. More than 2,200 homeless animals were adopted that first year, the most in a single day in North Texas.

“We are excited for Clear The Shelters to return to communities everywhere for a fifth year in a row,” said Valari Staab, president, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “Thanks to our wonderful shelter and affiliate partners and our sponsors Cat’s Pride and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the happiest day of the year is right around the corner. We are all looking forward to make this year’s campaign the best one yet.”

Every year, millions of companion animals end up in shelters across the country. And while shelter adoption rates have been steadily rising since 2011, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 1.5 million animals — 860,000 cats and about 670,000 dogs — are still euthanized each year due to overcrowding.

The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. And, by adopting a shelter animal, you actually save two lives.

"Every single pet that is adopted frees shelter staff up to work with and prepare the next pet for potential adoption," said Kenny Lamberti, director of strategic engagement and companion animals for the Humane Society.

For more information on the program and participating shelters and rescues, go to cleartheshelters.com.

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Bergen County Protect and Rescue

Chico is a 2-year-old male pit bull terrier in the care of Bergen County Protect and Rescue in Cliffside Park. For more information, call 201-945-0649 or go to bcrescues.org.

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EASEL Animal Rescue League

Noah is a male domestic shorthair kitten in the care of EASEL Animal Rescue League in Ewing. For more information, email apps@easelnj.org, call 6o9-883-0540 or go to easelnj.org.

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St. Hubert's Noah's Ark

Ellie is a 6-year-old female American foxhound at St. Hubert's Noah's Ark in Ledgewood. For more information, call 973-448-7601, email amagyar@sthuberts.org or go to sthuberts.org/noahs-ark.

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Chance at Life Cat Rescue

Ivypool is a 15-week-old female grey tabby in the care of Chance at Life Cat Rescue in Bergen County. For more information, call 201-982-2219, email chanceatliferescue@gmail.com or go to chanceatlifecatrescue.com.

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One Step Closer Animal Rescue

Maya is a 7-year-old female Chihuahua/feist mix in the care of One Step Closer Animal Rescue in Sparta. For more information, call 973-810-2853 or email oscarrescue@yahoo.com or go to oscaranimalrescue.org.

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Liberty Humane Society

Franciacorta is an adult female domestic shorthair in the care of the Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City. Call 201-547-4147, email lhs@libertyhumane.org or go to libertyhumane.org.

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South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter

Florence is a 10-year-old female mixed breed in the care of the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in Vineland. For more information, call 856-691-1500, email adoptions@sjras.org or go to southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org.

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Pet Adoption League

Whitman is an 11-year-old male domestic longhair in the care of the Pet Adoption League in Hackettstown. For more information, call 973-584-0095, email info@palpets.org or go to palpets.org.

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Wise Animal Rescue

Perla is a 7-year-old female Chihuahua in the care of Wise Animal Rescue in Parsippany. For more information, email wiseanimalrescue@gmail.com or go to wiseanimalrescue.org.

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Randolph Regional Animal Shelter

Patrick is a 5-year-old male cat at the Randolph Regional Animal Shelter in Mendham. For more information, call 973-543-9333, email doggie54@optonline.net or go to randolphregionalanimalshelter.org.

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Associated Humane Society in Newark

Chrissy is a 3-year-old female Staffordshire bull terrier mix at the Associated Humane Society in Newark. For more information, call 973-824-7080 or go to petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=NJ01.

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Salem County Humane Society

Ruby is a 2-year-old female calico at the Salem County Humane Society in Carneys Point. For more information, call 856-299-2220 or email info@salemcountyhumanesociety.org.

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Associated Humane Society in Forked River

Coco is a 6-year-old female mastiff at the Associated Humane Society in Forked River. For more information, call 609-693-1900 or go to ahsforkedriver.petfinder.org.

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Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center

Appa is a 7-year-old male domestic shorthair at the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood. For more information, call 856-401-1300, email info@homewardboundnj.org or go to homewardboundnj.org.

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Edison Animal Shelter

Benji is a 5-year-old male Staffordshire bull terrier in the care of the Edison Animal Shelter. For more information, call 732-248-7278, email eas@edisonnj.org or go to petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=NJ593.

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Animal Outreach of Cape May County

Nero is a senior male domestic shorthair in the care of Animal Outreach of Cape May County. For more information, call 609-898-1738 or email info@aocmc.org.

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Eleventh Hour Rescue

Bear Adams is an 8-year-old male Shepherd mix in the care of Eleventh Hour Rescue in Rockaway. For more information call 973-664-0865 or go to ehrdogs.org.

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Associated Humane Society in Forked River

Milo is a 5-year-old male domestic longhair at the Associated Humane Society in Forked River. For more information, call 609-693-1900 or go to ahsforkedriver.petfinder.org.

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Animal Welfare Association

Huck is an 8-year-old male basset hound mix in the care of the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees. For more information, call 856-424-2288 or email adoptions@awanj.org.

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EASEL Animal Rescue League

Knightly is a male domestic shorthair kitten in the care of EASEL Animal Rescue League in Ewing. For more information, email apps@easelnj.org, call 6o9-883-0540 or go to easelnj.org.

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Associated Humane Society in Tinton Falls

Clara is a 7-year-old female terrier mix at the Associated Humane Society in Tinton Falls. For more information, call 732-922-0100 or go to petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=NJ02.

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Randolph Regional Animal Shelter

Spring is a 2-year-old male cat at the Randolph Regional Animal Shelter in Mendham. For more information, call 973-543-9333, email doggie54@optonline.net or go to randolphregionalanimalshelter.org.

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Trenton Animal Shelter

Ginny is a 1-year-old female American Staffordshire terrier mix at the Trenton Animal Shelter. For more information, call 609-989-3254 or go to trentonanimalshelter.org.

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Liberty Humane Society

Dishwalla is an adult female domestic shorthair in the care of the Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City. For more information, call 201-547-4147, email lhs@libertyhumane.org or go to libertyhumane.org.

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Associated Humane Society in Newark

Penelope is a 1-year-old female pit bull terrier mix at the Associated Humane Society in Newark. For more information, call 973-824-7080 or go to petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=NJ01.

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Animal Welfare Association

LaTravis is a 2-year-old male domestic medium hair in the care of the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees. For more information, call 856-424-2288 or email adoptions@awanj.org.

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Burlington County Animal Shelter

Isis is a 12-year-old female pit bull terrier mix at the Burlington County Animal Shelter. For more information, call 609-265-5073 or go to co.burlington.nj.us/168/Animal-Shelter.

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St. Hubert's Noah's Ark

Stila is a 3-year-old female domestic shorthair at St. Hubert's Noah's Ark in Ledgewood. For more information, call 973-448-7601, email amagyar@sthuberts.org or go to sthuberts.org/noahs-ark.

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Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center

Opal is a 5-year-old female mixed breed at Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center. For more information on Opal, call 856-401-1300, email info@homewardboundnj.org or go to homewardboundnj.org.

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West Orange TNVR

Pickles is a 5-year-old male domestic shorthair that is FIV-positive in the care of West Orange TNVR. For more information, call 917-589-5684 or 201-341-2170 or email jrizzuto@outlook.com or jtstier@comcast.net.

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St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in North Branch

Kanga is a 4-year-old female pit bull terrier at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in North Branch. For more information, call 908-526-3330 or go to sthuberts.org/animals-available-for-adoption/.

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Humane Society of Ocean City

Wendy is a 7-year-old female domestic shorthair at the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information, call 609-398-9500 or email info@hsocnj.org.

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Salem County Humane Society

Tucker is a 5-year-old male beagle at the Salem County Humane Society in Carneys Point. For more information, call 856-299-2220 or email info@salemcountyhumanesociety.org.

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South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter

Stanley is a 3-year-old male domestic shorthair in the care of the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in Vineland. For more information, call 856-691-1500, email adoptions@sjras.org or go to southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org.

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One Step Closer Animal Rescue

Rosie is a 7-year-old female Chihuahua mix in the care of One Step Closer Animal Rescue in Sparta. For more information, call 973-810-2853 or email oscarrescue@yahoo.com or go to oscaranimalrescue.org.

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Edison Animal Shelter

Quinny is a 3-year-old male brown tabby cat in the care of the Edison Animal Shelter. For more information, call 732-248-7278, email eas@edisonnj.org or go to petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=NJ593.

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Liberty Humane Society

Maxina is a 7-year-old female pit bull terrier mix in the care of the Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City. For more information, call 201-547-4147, email lhs@libertyhumane.org or go to libertyhumane.org.

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Burlington County Animal Shelter

Pepper is a 5-year-old female domestic shorthair at the Burlington County Animal Shelter. For more information, call 609-265-5073 or go to co.burlington.nj.us/168/Animal-Shelter.

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Greg Hatala/For NJ Advance Media