Every August, the San Francisco SPCA joins hundreds of shelters across the country for Clear the Shelters, a nationwide adoption and donation campaign that has helped nearly 1.2 million animals find loving homes since it began in 2015.
Led by NBCUniversal Local, Clear the Shelters brings together more than 1,600 animal shelters and rescues from across the country. Last year, this event helped nearly 170,000 animals find their forever families.
But why do we need a campaign to “clear the shelters”? What makes it so urgent?
A national shelter crisis
Across the country, shelters continue to face serious overcrowding. For the past few years, the number of animals entering shelters has outpaced the number leaving, due in part to staffing shortages as well as limited access to affordable veterinary care and spay/neuter services.
But there’s good news: we’re making progress. According to national data from Shelter Animals Count, more shelter pets are finding homes. Dog adoption rates—the percentage of dogs adopted compared to those entering shelters—increased from 56% in 2023 to 57% in 2024. Cat adoption rates have remained high, reaching 64% in 2024, up from 62% the year before and 57% in 2019. These small shifts reflect a growing movement: more people are choosing adoption and discovering how wonderful shelter pets truly are.
How you can help
At the SF SPCA, we believe every animal deserves a loving home, and every person deserves the joy that comes from finding their perfect match.
This August, we’re making adoptions more accessible by offering Name Your Price fees all month long for cats and dogs five months and older.
But we can’t do it alone.
Your support helps cover the cost of care, vaccinations, microchipping, spay/neuter surgeries, and adoption fee waivers that make moments like these possible. When you give, you’re not just helping animals, you’re helping more people experience the life-changing magic of adoption.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Donate to help us waive adoption fees and provide high-quality care to every animal who comes through our doors.
- Spread the word by sharing adoptable animals and information about Clear the Shelters with friends and family.
- Visit the SF SPCA this August and meet animals ready to fill your home with love and laughter.
Whether you’re ready to adopt or just want to spread the word, your support helps save lives. To learn more about the national campaign, visit ClearTheShelters.com or DesocuparlosAlbergues.com (en español).