The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) is expanding to South Jersey to become the first Animal Welfare Organization in the country to operate in three states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

The shelter has partnered with the Animal Adoption Center (ACC) in Lindenwold “to expand life-saving initiatives in a unified effort and create positive change for animals in need across the tri-state area.”

Currently, BVSPCA operates and cares for more than 17,000 lost, stray, owner-surrendered, abused, and neglected animals in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, and the entire state of Delaware, all while maintaining a 93% live release rate.

The organization’s no-kill initiatives will continue with the new affiliation with AAC.

“We’re excited for the future, as we enter into this partnership to join the efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers with the expertise of the Brandywine Valley SPCA to elevate our level of care for the animals we serve,” Kathryn Lambert, AAC Board Chair said.

“We see a real opportunity for growth and a need in this area of South Jersey, and we are committed to taking the steps necessary to bring our proven track record as a leader in animal welfare, and progressive programs and services into this community where there is still work to be done,” BVSPCA and AAC Chief Executive Officer Adam Lamb added.

Clear the Shelters Sep 7

The positive impact NBC10's Clear the Shelters campaign has on pets, families

Clear the Shelters Jun 21

Want to hang out with a dog for a day? Brandywine Valley SPCA launches new program where you can

Earlier this year, BVSPCA extended its life-saving initiative into Central Pennsylvania with a new partnership with the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA), which serves Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties.

Since the affiliation, officials from BVSPCA said HSHA has met the no-kill benchmark of more than 90% save rate for eight months in a row. BVSPCA’s work in Delaware also helped create the first no-skill state in the country.

Find the nearest location to support all the adoptable animals at theaacnj.org and bvspca.org.

But what is a “bonded pair”? According to Doreen Jakubbak, the executive director at Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, a New Jersey-based animal shelter, it all boils down to the bond both animals have developed with each other.

“It is the term we use for when two dogs come from the same home or owner and we make a commitment to not separate them.”

Bonded pets come in all shapes and sizes. They could be a dog pair, a cat pair, or even a cat and dog pair. They may be littermates, come from the same household, or just developed a strong bond after being rescued.

When a shelter labels a pet pair as a “bonded pair,” it means both animals have a healthy relationship and usually sleep and play together so they want the pair to be adopted as a pair instead of separate.

“The one constant was them having each other so we believe that (separating them) would create unnecessary anxiety and further trauma to break that bond,” Jakubbak said.

What are the benefits of adopting a bonded pet pair?

Despite being a major commitment to adopt two pets, a bonded pair does come with its benefits, some experts say.

For starters, adopting bonded pairs has been proven to reduce separation anxiety, barking, destructive behavior and even potty accidents among some pets.

Similarly, bonded pairs might tend to learn quicker than single ones.

“Pets adopted together continue the learning cycle they experienced with their mother and siblings by watching what each other does,” said NOCO Humane, a Colorado-based nonprofit animal shelter. “As they socialize, play, and observe, they see how to behave along with associating the consequences of their actions.”

Lastly, if you’re in the market for two new pets, a bonded pair might be a better choice than adopting to separate animals since the pair is already comfortable together and no introduction is needed.

Visit ClearTheShelters.com between now and Sept. 30, 2024, to find out how you can adopt a pet virtually or donate online to help a shelter near you.

Not only did Giorgi adopt Chester, he also founded the sanctuary in the dog’s honor to ensure that as many special needs senior dogs as possible receive love and care.

Nestled in Stamford, Connecticut, the sanctuary is managed by Giorgi and his wife Anna Giorgi. The family, which includes Anna and Todd’s daughter, Jagger, and son, Lennon, offers unwavering love and support to senior dogs in need.

“I just get to be engulfed in love on a daily basis,” Todd said.

Clear the Shelters Aug 27

Adopting a shelter dog? Celebrity trainer offers these 3 tips

Clear the Shelters Aug 12

How to donate to the Clear The Shelters campaign

At the sanctuary, neglected, senior, elderly, abandoned, sick, and hospice dogs can spend their remaining days in a secure and loving environment.

“We both had this passion to rescue senior dogs and make this their final home,” Anna said.

The organization’s operations depend on generous donations to meet expenses such as vet bills and medication.

With the help of social media campaigns, the sanctuary has received donations that help the Giorgi family continue rescuing and caring for senior dogs in need of a fur-ever home.

“The gift I give is I try to hold every single dog in my arms, kiss their head, and tell them that they’re a good boy or girl and that they’re gonna see all of our other dogs at the rainbow bridge,” Todd said. “What they give back in terms of gratitude is ten-fold.”

Of course a new dog owner will be beaming at the prospect of adding an adorable, fun-loving best friend to their everyday life. But that new bond requires responsibility and commitment, especially during the dog’s transition period from a shelter or foster to their forever home.

So what are the keys to making that transition go as smooth as possible for both the owner and dog? Celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan has three tips:

1. Do homework on your dog pre-adoption

Just like studying for a test, it’s important to find out as much as possible about a dog before bringing them home. Ask the shelter or foster questions that are pertinent to your situation. These could be questions like: How does the dog interact with cats and other dogs? What about with kids and other humans? How are they on walks? Are they chewers?

McMillan says gaining this knowledge ahead of time, rather than on the fly, will lead to a safer transition period.

Clear the Shelters Aug 13

Dozens of pets board flights to find forever homes

Clear the Shelters Aug 12

How to donate to the Clear The Shelters campaign

2. Help your dog adapt to their new home

Yes, an owner will eventually have to leave their dog alone for an extended period. But the first time doing so shouldn’t be immediately after bringing the dog home.

“Don’t get a dog from a shelter, put them in your house and then go out and party all night,” McMillan said.

Instead, McMillan suggests spending time with the dog to help them get comfortable in the new environment. And it probably isn’t wise to give a dog free rein of the house right away when they are left alone, especially if they’re a puppy.

3. Build trust with your dog through training

Once the dog is home, it’s time to start building that special bond. And McMillan says one of the best ways to do so is through training.

“[Dogs] naturally look for leadership,” McMillan said. “So, you being the mommy or daddy, you want to be the teacher, but you also want to be the parent.

“Training, it will not only build trust, it forms a friendship. And the one thing you can guarantee with a dog, they will not learn off you if they don’t trust you…You always have to make sure you form that bond, form trust with a dog and they’re gonna learn whatever you throw at them.”

McMillian cautions owners that dog training is like the stock market, “it doesn’t always go up” and “it’s going to have little crashes, little bumps in the road.” But if an owner does it right and forms that trust with a dog, they should eventually see a big return on investment.

But despite how intimidating they may look, behind the façade they are known to be lovable and well-behaved dogs.

That is exactly what celebrity dog trainer Tom Davis thinks.

“My absolute favorite breed to train is the pit bull,” Davis said.

For years, Davis, who founded the New York-based Upstate Canine Academy, has specialized in behavior-based dog training aimed at tackling challenging pet behavior.

According to Davis, pit bulls are so easy to train because they are bred to do anything for the humans they work with, which makes them naturally obedient and disciplined.

“In my experience pit bulls are some of the most loyal, trainable, and fun dogs to work with,” Davis said. “They also have a really good working drive and an off switch.”

The history of the American Pit Bull Terrier lineage is over 200 years old and can be traced back to 19th-century British bulls and terriers, according to the American Kennel Club.

Though they were initially bred to hunt, protect and drive livestock, the breed eventually turned into a family dog due to its loyal and enthusiastic nature.

“They like to go out and work with you, have fun and train but they also like to go home, cuddle and be a couch potato,” Davis said. “They are a really diverse dog.”

Why do pit bulls have a bad reputation?

According to Davis, it all boils down to the breed’s bond with its owner.

“The pit bull breed is so loyal and extraordinary that unfortunately it has given them a bad rep because of how loyal they are for their owners,” Davis explained.

“If the pit bull ends up in the wrong hands, that person can ultimately tell that dog to do anything they want. It’s one of the only breeds in the world that I’ve ever worked with that would literally die and do anything for their owner.”

Similarly, the AKC said pit bulls are “confident” and “strong” dogs, but “require an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog.”

Ultimately, any dog is what the owner makes of it, Davis explains. If the dog is not appropriately trained or disciplined, any good breed can turn into a bad pet.

“It always comes back down to training, whatever hands the dog is in is ultimately what the dog is going to act like,” Davis said. “It’s very important for dog owners out there to understand that if your dog is mean or aggressive or not listening when pulling on the leash, it’s a good chance that it’s because of you as the owner,.”

“There are no bad dogs,” Davis concluded.

Clear the Shelters Aug 15

2-time Super Bowl champ George Karlaftis' dog, Ralph, ‘is family'

Expert dog trainer Tom Davis says it is ok to let your dog sleep on the bed, but there is a potential problem that owners need to make sure to avoid.

“My answer is, it doesn’t really matter as long as you can get your dog off (the bed) when they are older,” Davis told NBC Local.

Dogs who become accustomed to sleeping on the bed as puppies will want to do the same when they are fully grown, which could be as big as 100 pounds or more.

“Making sure that you can (say) ‘get off,’ or ‘down,’ and that your dog will actually do that so that you don’t have a fight when they are 100-plus pounds,” Davis added.

Clear the Shelters Aug 15

2-time Super Bowl champ George Karlaftis' dog, Ralph, ‘is family'

Clear the Shelters Aug 8

Thinking of adopting a dog? Here's some advice from an animal communicator on what to consider

Do you want to spend five hours or more in the kitchen cooking for your pets? That is about the average amount of time a pet owner might spend making homemade pet food.

Many pet owners believe cooking their pets’ food will be easier and cheaper than buying commercial food. But according to Dr. Lindsey E. Bullen, a veterinary nutritionist, that’s not the case.

There is a “misconception about one being able to create nutritiously balanced pet meals from human ingredients. That is just not possible,” she said.

How to find the right recipe for your animal companion

Rather than finding a random recipe online, Bullen recommends working with a board certified vet to create the right recipe for your furry friend.

“Food preparation done incorrectly could cause long-term damage to be borderline lethal to your pet,” Bullen said.

How about feeding your pets kibble?

Kibble might not be so attractive, but it could be a better option for many.

Even though pet owners might think commercial food is less healthy, Bullen reminds them there is no equivalent in the human world.

If you want to make your own pet food, make sure to research and work with the right professionals.

Bullen said she doesn’t see the benefit of cooking over feeding pets commercial food because every pet is so unique and it’s humanly impossible to get every ingredient right.

Clear the Shelters Aug 12

How to donate to the Clear The Shelters campaign

Clear the Shelters Aug 8

What to know as Clear The Shelters kicks off its 10th annual adoption campaign

This year, he’ll bring his cat expertise to NBCUniversal Local’s 10th annual nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign as the “Clear The Shelters” advocate for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the initiative’s national sponsor for the last seven years.

Galaxy, who was the host and executive producer of Animal Planet’s “My Cat from Hell” for nearly a decade, has worked with cats and their guardians for more than 25 years. Along with authoring two New York Times best-selling books, he posts educational content on his YouTube channel and social accounts. 

Prior to that, Galaxy worked at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in Colorado 31 years ago — and believe it or not, he wasn’t naturally drawn to the cats. Galaxy, who was born and raised in New York City, grew up with dogs and didn’t have an “immediate bond” with cats.

His coworker at the shelter, however, quickly noticed the felines’ “immediate attachment” to Galaxy and started calling it out.

“Every time I walked into a room and I’d sit down, all the cats would come to me,” Galaxy said. “They picked me, and I went along for the ride. But then, of course, it was pretty quick that it became bigger than that.” 

Whether at animal shelters or in people’s homes, Galaxy has worked with thousands of cats to improve their behavior and wellness. Each one of them, no matter how short the time, is meaningful to him. 

Galaxy credits his work with his feline friends for helping him overcome his alcohol and drug addiction. 

“I got sober, in part, because I valued this work,” he said. “I could tell that I was only getting so far with the animals I was working with. But then it bled over to relationships with humans. Any time you shine a light back onto yourself in terms of your own pluses and minuses in a relationship, you get better.” 

This life-changing relationship between cats and humans informs Galaxy’s approach to teaching other guardians how to care for their animals. He says it’s not about “technique,” but rather, giving love to cats so that they can confidently accept humans and other animals into their lives.

Clear The Shelters

Clear the Shelters Aug 12

How to donate to the Clear The Shelters campaign

Clear the Shelters Aug 8

What to know as Clear The Shelters kicks off its 10th annual adoption campaign

Clear the Shelters Jun 25

Clear The Shelters campaign returns for 10th straight year

After working with countless animal rescues over the years, Galaxy has observed one of the greatest obstacles for shelters nationwide: “the public’s perception of what a shelter is.” 

“We’re communicating the message to the public that we’re not just there to put lost animals in cages,” Galaxy said. “We are a refuge of information and, oftentimes, supplies when times are tough for you.” 

Galaxy said he is “honored” to join this year’s Clear The Shelters campaign, which runs Aug. 10 to Sept. 10., in partnership with NBCUniversal Local and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. 

Since its inception in 2015, Clear The Shelters has worked with more than 1,400 shelters across the country to help over 1 million animals find their forever homes. Galaxy, who has worked in partnering shelters, has seen the impact of the annual campaign on individual rescues and homes.

“If you just look at Clear The Shelters as a phenomenon in itself, over 10 years, a million animals have gone home. A million families have been forever changed,” Galaxy said. “It takes campaigns like this, eye-on-the-prize campaigns to get us to the next place.”

The next place, according to the Cat Daddy? Clearing the shelters — and keeping them cleared.

“We’re giving new adopters and old adopters alike tools so that if an issue crops up … we’ll find ways to keep them in their homes,” Galaxy said. 

Galaxy encourages those interested in the campaign to support it in whatever way they can. 

“Help us out in adoption events. Come on in here and spend some time with the animals, getting to know them with no pressure whatsoever,” he said. “Can’t do that? Help us donate. Can’t do that? I mean, there’s this whole wonderful chain that you can participate in, and it doesn’t have to just begin and end with adopting.”

To learn more about Clear The Shelters 2024 and search for adoptable pets in your area, visit cleartheshelters.com. You can also donate to your local animal shelters and rescue groups by visiting clearthesheltersfund.org.

Check out Jackson Galaxy’s website to learn more about him. 

Follow Clear The Shelters on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on this year’s pet adoption and donation news:

Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues

The Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, who grew up in Greece before moving back to the U.S. when he was 13, said he always loved animals but could never have a dog growing up because his mom was allergic.

Fast forward to the present day, and he and his girlfriend have their very own flandoodle (a Bouvier des Flandres mixed with a poodle), Ralph, who the NFL star says is “amazing” and has “taken up the personality” of the couple.

“He’s big, you know, most of us are larger human beings,” Karlaftis told NBC Local. “He’s pretty lazy around the house — he likes to relax and just hang out. He’s awesome. Everyone loves him.”

“Ralph is family to me,” the 2021 All-American added. “You know, getting back home after a game, or after a long day of work, you know, to him, is awesome because you can’t be mad at him.”

The 30-minute show celebrates NBC and Telemundo stations’ 10th annual nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign, which began Aug. 10 and continues through Sept. 10. Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has led to more than one million pet adoptions and raised more than $4.5 million.

Who is hosting this year’s Clear The Shelters special?

This year’s Clear The Shelters special is hosted by actor, producer and singer-songwriter Amanda Seyfried.

Seyfried has earned more than 70 acting credits since 2004, including the films “Mank,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Les Miserables” and series “The Dropout” and “The Crowded Room.” She is starring in and executive producing the upcoming Peacock series “Long Bright River,” based on the Liz Moore book, in which she plays Mickey, a police officer who patrols a Philadelphia neighborhood hard-hit by the opioid crisis.

What are some highlights of this year’s special?

This year’s show marks the 10^th anniversary of Clear The Shelters with a look back at some of the adoption stories the initiative helped establish throughout the years. A feature from The Dodo, the animal and pet brand and longtime Clear The Shelters media partner, will highlight one of their “Dodo Dream Dates” featuring actor Maggie Q and a shelter dog. 

The program will also highlight Little Shelter’s “Silver Seniors” program, which pairs older pets with loving homes, and the Niagara SPCA’s pizza box and field trip initiative, which “thinks outside the box” to find their shelter pets new homes. Plus, NBC 4 New York’s Lauren Scala details how fostering a shelter pet can be a life-changing experience. 

As part of the monthlong milestone campaign, NBC and Telemundo stations nationwide are partnering with more than 1,400 animal shelters and rescues in their communities to promote pet adoption and raise critical funds to support their operations. The 2023 campaign resulted in more than 158,000 adoptions – lifting the all-time adoption total past one million – and raised over $575,000.

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How to donate to the Clear The Shelters campaign

Clear the Shelters Aug 8

What to know as Clear The Shelters kicks off its 10th annual adoption campaign

How to watch this year’s Clear The Shelters special

The special will air on NBC-owned and affiliated stations nationwide and on stations’ streaming platforms. Check local listings for dates and times in your area.

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The “Good Flights” airlift, which was conducted by Greater Good Charities in partnership with Clear The Shelters, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and The Animal Rescue Site, involved dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters in Alabama and Louisiana. Some of the rescued pets are considered to be harder-to-place or vulnerable, such as large dogs, homeless cats and asymptomatic heartworm-positive dogs.

The 100-plus pets traveled on a flight from New Orleans to Morristown in northern New Jersey, where representatives from new shelters were there to take them in.

The receiving shelters — based across New Jersey, New York, Delaware, New Hampshire and Rhode Island — will provide the pets with any needed medical care before placing them for adoption.

“Good Flights is so important because they’re able to provide transportation for pets in need from areas of the country [where shelters] are at crisis-level capacity and bring them to areas where the pets have a better chance of getting adopted,” said Yvonne Hsu, president of Hill’s Pet Nutrition U.S. “And that’s really critical, because we want to make sure we find a forever home for every pet.”

This was the fifth airlift from Clear The Shelters, NBCUniversal Local’s pet adoption and donation initiative. More than 600 dogs and cats have been transported since the first airlift in 2021.

The latest iteration came days after Clear The Shelters kicked off its 10th annual adoption campaign.

“This flight and this campaign we hope will bring more eyes on these pets and these people that care for them,” said Erin Robbins, VP of Pet Programs for Greater Good Charities.

“If we can get the word out to more people: Go to your shelters…Whatever you can open your home and your heart to is there waiting for you and all they want is love.”

Hill’s Pet Nutrition and The Animal Rescue Site funded the airlift and each presented Greater Good Charities with a donation to the Clear The Shelters Fund. Greater Good Charities is the fundraising partner of Clear The Shelters.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the national sponsor and partner of Clear The Shelters, made a $50,000 donation, while The Animal Rescue Site donated $25,000. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is also donating 5,000 pounds of food to the shelters in Alabama and Louisiana where the pets were sent from.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com.

Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

• X: @ClearTheShelter
• Instagram: cleartheshelters
• TikTok: @cleartheshelters
• Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues

This year’s campaign is a month-long event from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10 and culminates in crescendo events the weekend of Sept. 7. 

Leading up to and during the campaign period, Clear The Shelters, in partnership with Greater Good, will host digital fundraisers to raise money for participating animal shelters. 

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is once again the lead national sponsor of Clear The Shelters.

Here’s how to donate through Clear The Shelters’ social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Clear the Shelters Aug 8

What to know as Clear The Shelters kicks off its 10th annual adoption campaign

Clear the Shelters Jun 25

Clear The Shelters campaign returns for 10th straight year

How to donate on Facebook

Click to donate on Facebook or follow the steps below.

1. Find the fundraiser you want to donate to through a Facebook post or by visiting the Clear The Shelters page.
2. Click “donate to nonprofit.”
3. Type the dollar amount you want to donate.
4. If you agree, check the “cover donation processing fees.”
   1. Note: The processing fee is no longer paid by Meta. The fee will be deducted from your donation.
5. Click “continue.”
6. Fill out the donation form, include your contact information, credit or debit card number, expiration date, CVV and zip code.
7. You also have the option to donate through PayPal.
8. Confirm your donation.
9. You can also set up a PIN for additional security when making donations on Facebook.
10. Troubleshooting instructions from Facebook.

How to donate on Instagram

Click to donate on Instagram or follow the steps below.

From Aug. 10 through Sept. 10, the Greater Good Charities Instagram donation fund will be delegated/directed to Clear The Shelters. 

There are several ways to donate on Instagram, including to a nonprofit fundraiser in a post, during an Instagram Live video, or through a donation sticker in a Story:

• Donate to a nonprofit fundraiser in a post
  • Open the post, tap the banner on the right, tap Donate on the fundraiser details page, enter the amount, tap Continue, and then tap Donation visibility.
• Donate during an Instagram Live video
  • Tap Donate in the bottom left, enter the amount, tap Next, select a payment method, and then tap Donate at the bottom.
• Donate through a donation sticker in a Story
  • Eligible nonprofits can create a Story, add the donation sticker, and supporters can donate without leaving Instagram.

How to donate on TikTok

1. Click the + button.
2. Record a video, go live or post an existing video.
3. Tap the stickers icon on the right rail.
4. Select the “Donation” sticker.
5. Search for “Greater Good Charities” and select it.
6. Place the sticker on your video.
7. Add a caption and post, or continue live streaming.

To learn more about Clear The Shelters 2024 and search for adoptable pets in your area, visit cleartheshelters.com. You can also donate to your local animal shelters and rescue groups by visiting clearthesheltersfund.org.

Follow Clear The Shelters on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on this year’s pet adoption and donation news:

Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Embracing imperfection

As the saying goes, good things take time, and building a lifelong bond with a new furry friend is no different.  Pet parents are often consumed with the initial excitement of bringing a new pet home, but that excitement can fade as a pet experiences the normal challenges of adjusting to a new environment, sometimes leading adopters to return pets to the shelter.

However, the Hill’s Pet Nutrition 2024 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report showed that 2 out of 3 people who did surrender a pet said intervention, like shelter support or pet food pantries, could have prevented the surrender. Consequently, many shelters and communities are responding with support that focuses on pet retention, however, the best strategy to reducing pet surrenders is through education and awareness: pet parents should approach adoption with knowledge and understanding that there will be bumps in the road. As you welcome a furry friend into your home, remember that your pet is experiencing a big change. And though adopted pets will come with varied backgrounds and temperaments, pet parents can use the handy 3-3-3 rule as a framework to set expectations and work towards realistic goals for a smooth transition: 3 days for adjusting, 3 weeks for training and bonding, and 3 months for routines and socialization.

The First 3 Days: a period of transition

The initial 72 hours in a new home are often the most stressful for a pet. Don’t be dismayed if your pet exhibits signs of anxiety, such as hiding, whimpering, or even refusing to eat. After having adopted three dogs from Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, vet technician Rafael Valle Del Río knows exactly what to expect: “The first three days after being adopted, an animal is still decompressing. They may not want to eat their food or show signs of being lethargic. And that’s just basically him not being used to a new world.” Focus on factors you can control, and the measures you can take to create a sense of comfort for your new pet, like providing a quiet place to sleep and maintaining a consistent, science-led diet. “Keeping any consistency is really good for them,” says Dr. Alyssa Comroe, Director of Veterinary Medicine at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, which partners with Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love Program. The initiative provides science-led nutrition to feed pets in more than 900 animal shelters across the U.S. as well as free Adopter Bags to go home with all new dog and cat adopters at partner shelters.“ Every time a pet is adopted from our shelter, they go home with a bag of Hill’s food, and we recommend that they continue on that food–let’s keep some consistency with leaving a shelter and going to a home, which is so exciting, but it is still a big change.”

3 Day Tip: Stay consistent with the shelter’s food and feeding schedule.

The First 3 Weeks: establishing a routine

After the initial transition, pets begin adjusting to their new environment. As your new pet settles in, their personality traits and any training needs will become more apparent. “That’s when your pet is starting to learn your routine. They’re starting to become part of the family and figuring out what you are about and settling in,” asserts Dr. Comroe. Begin with basic training commands and continue to focus on consistency in feeding times, bathroom breaks, and exercise; the next three weeks are critical for establishing a routine that helps pets feel secure. “Keeping a consistent diet is definitely a big part of the adoption process; keeping the consistency of the food that was being fed at the shelter and going home with it,” says Valle Del Rio. In addition to maintaining a science-led diet like Hill’s Science Diet or Hill’s Prescription Diet, you can begin gradually socializing your pet with other family members and pets, along with positive reinforcement to aid in the transition. By the third week, the pet will feel more comfortable and confident, allowing for more focused training and routine building in the coming weeks. Throughout this period, patience, love, and attention are essential to help the pet feel at home and ensure a smooth transition into the family.

3 Week Tip: Habits are taking hold. Establishing a routine is key.

The First 3 Months: feeling at home

By the three-month mark, most pets begin to feel truly at home. Adopters can expect their pet to be more settled and comfortable in their new environment. This newfound comfort allows more time for building trust and understanding each other’s quirks and habits, enabling deeper bonds to form. “Three months, that’s when they’re a part of your family, and you’re going to see their true personality shining through, because that’s really who they are,” shares Dr. Comroe. Now that your pet feels safe and comfortable, you can advance their training and expose them to new experiences and environments like car rides or a park excursion where they can interact with other dogs and people. Overall, the adopter can expect a more harmonious and integrated relationship with their pet, marked by trust, affection, and mutual understanding.

3 Month Tip: The bond with your pet emerges now. Continued training and patience will strengthen it.

3 Months and Beyond

Throughout the first three months and beyond, persistence and patience will be rewarded in profound and lasting ways. “You got to focus on the positive, right?” says Valle Del Rio, “because nothing that’s great is going to come easy.” With some effort, not only will your pet feel safe, comfortable, and bonded with you as a parent, but you’ll have an integral new family member who offers unconditional love. “All four of my dogs are rescues. Being able to provide them a second chance and a home has been super fulfilling,” said Valle Del Rio. “A shelter animal will love you unconditionally. They have been through many things. They can’t speak, but they can definitely give you all of their heart.” 

If you’re big into exercise, you might want a furry friend who can keep up on some long trails. If you work in an office full-time, having a pet that doesn’t get separation anxiety is another aspect to consider.

Most importantly, when you enter an animal shelter, you should bring lots of positive energy, according to animal communicator Lydia Hiby.

Hiby, who has been working with pets for the past 38 years, says “positive affirmation” is important because even with the pets you don’t adopt, you’ll be able to project a positive aura that will influence their lives.

Here are a few things Hiby recommends considering before adoption:

How much exercise does my breed need?

Hiby says it’s important to know the potential temperaments of the dog breed you are adopting.

She says owners should ask themselves, “What’s going to work for me energetically, and what’s going to work for me physically?”

For instance, if your home has stairs and you adopt a senior dog, are you able to carry it up and down?

How often will my dog need someone to be at home?

This one is tricky.

Our furry friends have gotten used to having their owners home with them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, many workplaces have switched over to a hybrid system instead of a full-time in-office policy,

Hiby recommends owners ask themselves how often they will actually be at home before choosing a pet, as some are better on their own than others.

The last thing owners want is for their lovable pets to feel increased separation anxiety.

Take time to reflect before entering the shelter

When it comes to actually selecting a dog to adopt, Hiby recommends that people search deeply within themselves to figure out which breed would be the best fit.

“I always suggest that you close your eyes for a minute and tell your higher self, ‘I want be able to go in and know confidently whose the best animal for me,'” Hiby said.

Clear The Shelters, NBCUniversal Local’s nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign, is kicking off its 10^th annual adoption initiative on Saturday. The adoption campaign will run for one month until Sept. 10.

The donation initiative, which began Aug. 1, is on an extended run until Sept. 30 in celebration of Clear The Shelters’ 10^th anniversary. But starting Saturday, donations can now be made to a participating shelter or rescue of your choice.

Here’s what to know as Clear The Shelters’ adoption initiative gets underway:

What is Clear The Shelters?

Clear The Shelters sees NBC and Telemundo stations nationwide partner with animal shelters and rescues in their local communities to promote pet adoptions and to fundraise.

Last year, over 150 NBC and Telemundo stations teamed up with 1,400-plus shelters and rescues located across 49 states and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam.

How many Clear The Shelters pets have been adopted?

Clear The Shelters surpassed a landmark of 1 million all-time adoptions last year. The total currently sits at over 1.02 million.

Clear The Shelters helped over 150,000 pets find homes in 2023 while also raising more than $575,000. The campaign has raised millions of dollars for participating animal shelters and rescues.

What’s the closest Clear The Shelters location to me?

Clear The Shelters has hundreds of participating shelters and rescues across the nation. Check out the interactive map below to find the location nearest to you:

Virtual pet adoptions are also available through WeRescue, which allows prospective adopters to search for pets in their area, submit adoption applications and ask questions directly to shelters.

What are some of the special events during this year’s Clear The Shelters campaign?

Good Flight Pet Airlift: On Aug. 13, NBCU Local, Greater Good Charities, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and The Animal Rescue Site will conduct a pet airlift to transport more than 100 cats and dogs from overpopulated shelters in Louisiana and Alabama to New Jersey, where they will be received by several shelters, provided with any needed medical care and placed for adoption.

MEGA Adoption Event: A Clear The Shelters adoption event will take place Aug. 17-18 in North Texas, the birthplace of Clear The Shelters, to help celebrate the campaign’s 10th anniversary. In partnership with NBC5 and Telemundo 39, dozens of area animal shelters will convene at the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, to help find new homes for more than 1,000 pets.

Clear The Shelters Television Special: Actor, producer and singer-songwriter Amanda Seyfried – who has starred in acclaimed films such as “Mank,” “Mama Mia!” and “Les Misérables,” and hit series “The Dropout” and “The Crowded Room” – joined this year’s campaign to serve as the host of the Clear The Shelters half-hour television special, which will premiere on NBC stations and COZI TV nationwide on Aug. 16.

“As a lifelong animal lover who has rescued and fostered pets, I know the life-changing impact of welcoming pets into your life and understand the growing challenges faced by animal shelters and rescues,” said Seyfried. “That’s why I’m so proud to participate in the 10th annual Clear The Shelters and support its mission of promoting pet adoption and raising funds that benefit animal welfare.”

More about Hill’s Pet Nutrition, national sponsor of Clear The Shelters

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-based pet nutrition, is serving as the national sponsor and partner of Clear The Shelters for the seventh consecutive campaign. During the campaign, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will provide adoption kits to new pet parents. Available at participating shelters, the adopter kits include starter bags of Hill’s Science Diet, coupons, pet-parenting tips and other supplies.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

• X: @ClearTheShelter
• Instagram: cleartheshelters
• TikTok: @cleartheshelters
• Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters and #DesocuparLosAlbergues

Clear the Shelters Jun 25

Clear The Shelters campaign returns for 10th straight year

Clear the Shelters Jul 22

Hill's Pet Nutrition returns as lead national sponsor of Clear The Shelters

While people oftentimes turn to a puppy to take home, there are so many advantages to having an elder companion.

As a matter of fact, dogs aged seven and older are typically housebroken, less destructive, and calmer than younger dogs. The devastating reality, however, is senior dogs have a 25% adoption rate, compared to a 60% adoption rate for younger dogs and puppies, according to ASPCA.

“After about 12 years of volunteering in animal shelters, what I noticed was the older dogs that I fell in love with were getting passed over for puppies,” said founder and CEO of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue Sherri Franklin.

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Franklin vividly remembers when of her favorite dogs at the shelter — a cheerful 8-year-old Beagle Basset — was euthanized for space because she wasn’t considered adoptable.

“I knew I had to do something,” Franklin said. “I started taking home dogs one at a time, fixing them up, getting them to see my vets and finding them homes on my own.”

It was such a large mission, which led Frankin to start a nonprofit in 2007. In the past 16 years, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has saved over 9,000 senior dogs.

“I like to say we made senior dogs sexy,” she said.

Did you know older dogs often end up in shelters after their owners pass away, get sick, or transition to assisted living?

“I know for me personally, one day I’m going to grow old, or older, and I hope at some point in time when I need it, there will be someone out there that’s going to provide the assistance that I need,” said Doreen Jakubcak of Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary.

While there are many benefits to adopting senior dogs, be prepared to accommodate semi-annual veterinary checkups, special diets and decreased mobility.

The key is to address any and all health issues as early on as possible, Jakubcak advises. Catching any health ailments before they worsen can oftentimes rectify the issue or at least save the dog before it becomes untreatable.

“People often ask us how do you do it when you have to say goodbye?” Jakubcak said. “We focus on that quality of time, we focus on knowing that we did our best and we gave that dog the best care we could during that period of time they were with us,” Jakubcak said.

So what are you waiting for? This is your sign to run to a shelter and take home a loyal senior dog today.

“Hill’s Pet Nutrition is an incredible, longstanding advocate for vulnerable pets and the shelters and rescues in communities across the nation that care for them,” said Bruce Kallner, SVP of Business Development, NBCUniversal Local. “Their sponsorship of Clear The Shelters has been a key driver of the campaign’s expanding impact and the milestones we’ve celebrated. As we embark on our 10th year, we’re again thankful for Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s contributions and remarkable collaboration.”

To support the 10th anniversary of Clear The Shelters, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will provide adoption kits to help new pet parents and their pets get a healthy start on their new life together. Kits containing starter bags of Hill’s science-led nutrition, coupons, pet-parenting tips and other supplies will be available at select shelters during the campaign.

“Tackling the growing challenge of the over capacity crisis happening in our nation’s shelters requires a team effort, which is why Hill’s Pet Nutrition is proud to continue our support of the Clear The Shelters campaign,” said Yvonne Hsu, US President and General Manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “Supporting the significant work animal shelters do for the pets in their care is a priority for Hill’s as we work toward our collective goal of connecting more shelter pets with loving families.”

Clear the Shelters Sep 13, 2023

Clear The Shelters celebrates 1 million pet adoptions

Clear the Shelters Jun 25

Clear The Shelters campaign returns for 10th straight year

Clear The Shelters directly aligns with Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s mission to support shelter pets in need through the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program, which partners with shelters 365 days a year by providing science-led nutrition to feed the pets in their care, as well as financial support and other needed resources such as pet food for community food pantries. For more than 20 years, the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program has provided more than $300 million in food to shelters across North America, and has helped more than 14 million pets find new homes. To learn how Hill’s Pet Nutrition supports shelters and pets, visit Hill’s Food, Shelter and Love.

As part of the Clear The Shelters initiative, NBC and Telemundo owned and affiliated stations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico will partner with animal shelters and rescue services in their communities to promote pet adoption and raise needed funds. To mark the campaign’s 10th anniversary, donations to participating shelters and rescues can be made at ClearTheSheltersFund.org from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

The 2023 Clear The Shelters campaign led to more than 158,000 adoptions – lifting the all-time adoption total past one million – and raised over $575,000. More than 1,400 shelters and rescues representing 49 states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam – along with 152 NBC and Telemundo stations – participated in last year’s campaign between Aug. 1 to 30.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com.

Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

X: @ClearTheShelter
Instagram: cleartheshelters
TikTok: @cleartheshelters
Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues

Back in June 2024, the first few cases popped up at Faithful Friends Animal Society, an animal shelter in New Castle, Delaware. Dogs were showing signs of sneezing, coughing and runny noses. From there, the illness rapidly spread to a majority of their animals, creating an urgent situation that required immediate attention.

The issue began to affect shelters across Delaware, one of three states that does not allow the killing of animals. However, for now, the Department of Agriculture says shelter dogs cannot be moved into or out of the state. This means that southern states that rely on sending their animals to be adopted in Delaware can’t send them there, and Delaware shelters can’t offer as many walk-in services for animals either.

“Unfortunately, we had to hold on public veterinary care, which is not only a service that supports our mission but that also helps us generate revenue for the shelter as well,” said Shannon O’Neill, Director of Public Relations for the Faithful Friends Animal Society.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is requesting the public’s cooperation in making all efforts to reunite stray dogs with their owners before contacting the Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Service for pickup or taking them to the state’s connected animal shelter, the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

“Stray dogs are usually found very close to home and by walking the dog around the neighborhood or checking with neighbors, the dog can often be reunited with their owner(s) with no need for impoundment,” said OAW Executive Director Christina Motoyoshi. This proactive approach is crucial in limiting the number of impounded dogs and reuniting every lost dog with their owner.

Faithful Friends also seeks foster families to keep their healthy dogs safe. Experts also shared the following safety tips for dog owners.

• Consider keeping your dogs away from any animal with a cough or other symptoms.
• If you find a stray dog, try hard to find its owner yourself. Attempt to walk the dog around your area, scour social media, and use the Nextdoor app.
• If you notice symptoms in your dogs, don’t ignore them, but also don’t panic. Call your veterinarian to let them know your pet has respiratory symptoms. Some places may have a special room, while others will ask you to wait in your vehicle.

Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center – located in Blackwood – announced they are overcrowded and adopters and fosters are urgently needed.

The center has waived all dog adoption fees from now until Sunday, July 21 in an effort to find homes for all the furry friends.

“This is our worst nightmare and is something that we have narrowly avoided all year while combating severe overcrowding. We are currently caring for over 200 dogs, and we have 25 more dogs than we have kennels in our shelter building,” the center said in a social media post.

The center said they have seven dogs in their shelter that have been there for a long time and are most at risk for euthanasia.

The adoption center is open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you would like to see the dogs that are up for adoption you can visit Homeward Bound’s website.

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Temple Public Safety Officer Arashteep Bawa spotted the Cane Corso on 18^th and Diamond streets Thursday morning.

“I see the dog running across the street and my main concern was hey, I don’t want the dog to get hit or hurt and I also don’t want the dog to cause an accident,” Officer Bawa said.

Bawa said the dog appeared to be sick and he was also concerned about the sweltering heat at the time. He also didn’t know how long the dog had been outside up to that point.

“We were here. At first we exhausted all of our options because we didn’t want to take her to the shelter right away,” Officer Bawa said. “So we must have been out here for about two hours.”

Other officers arrived at the scene and they gave the dog water.

“You could tell she was being neglected,” Temple Public Safety Officer Steven Duda said. “Her ribs were showing. She was skinny. Her bones were starting to show through.”

The officers eventually took the dog to ACCT Philly. A spokesperson said the dog doesn’t have a microchip and is doing well aside from a few issues that they continue to monitor.

ACCT Philly named the dog “Shero.” The officers who found her had another name for her, however.

“We all agreed on the name Diamond,” Officer Bawa said. “Found her on Diamond Street and also you know, we found her, you know, Diamond in the rough. So we named her Diamond and it really stuck.”

Diamond was adopted on Saturday afternoon from ACCT Philly.

Since its inception in 2015, NBC10 and Telemundo62’s local Clear The Shelters campaigns have helped more than 42,000 pets find new homes. Nationally, more than one million pets have been adopted and millions of dollars has been raised for participating shelters and rescues over nine Clear The Shelters campaigns.

“We are thrilled to celebrate a decade of community and compassion through our Clear the Shelters campaign,” said Ric Harris, President and General Manager of NBC10, Telemundo62 and NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Over the past 10 years, this initiative has helped countless animals find their fur-ever homes while also deepening our ties to local shelters and rescues in our community.”

The 2024 fundraising effort will again be led by Greater Good Charities, a global nonprofit and longtime campaign partner. Donations can be made Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 at ClearTheSheltersFund.org. Through the online platform, built by Fundraise Up, donors have the option to cover transaction fees so that 100 percent of the funds go directly to the shelter or rescue of their choice.

Virtual pet adoptions are also returning for the sixth consecutive campaign through WeRescue. The WeRescue website and app enable users to browse adoptable pets in their area by breed, gender, size and other factors, submit their adoption applications, and ask questions directly to shelters.

For more on Clear The Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com.

Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

• @ClearTheShelter
• cleartheshelters
• @cleartheshelters

The shelter says many pets tend to run away scared during fireworks displays and end up at animal shelters

From now through Sunday, the shelter is offering $7 adoptions for dogs and cats this week so they can free up space.

Kittens are not included in the adoption special. 

If you would like to see the animals that are up for adoption you can visit Homeward Bound’s website.

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The nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign from NBCUniversal Local is returning for the 10th straight year this August, the company announced on Tuesday.

The monthlong adoption initiative will take place from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10; and in honor of the 10th anniversary, the donation initiative will have an extended run of Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

Clear The Shelters’ landmark anniversary comes after the campaign surpassed 1 million all-time adoptions in 2023.

“Surpassing the one millionth all-time adoption last year and now celebrating our 10^th campaign are not just milestones, these numbers help quantify the incredible support Clear The Shelters has received from communities around the nation and the impact it’s had on vulnerable animals and the shelters that care for them,” said Meredith McGinn, NBCUniversal Local’s Executive Vice President of Diginets & Original Production, in a release.

Clear The Shelters sees NBC and Telemundo stations nationwide partner with animal shelters and rescues in their local communities to promote pet adoptions and to fundraise. The campaign has raised millions of dollars for participating animal shelters and rescues since launching in 2015.

Last year, over 150 NBC and Telemundo stations teamed up with 1,400-plus shelters and rescues located across 49 states and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. The 2023 campaign helped over 150,000 pets find homes while raising more than $575,000.

Details on highlights, activations and initiatives for 2024 will be announced at a later date.

Clear The Shelters has multiple partnerships that will be extended for the 2024 campaign. For the seventh straight year, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will serve as the campaign’s national sponsor and partner.

Meanwhile, virtual pet adoptions will be available through WeRescue for a sixth consecutive year. WeRescue allows prospective adopters to search for pets in their area, submit adoption applications and ask questions directly to shelters.

Clear the Shelters Aug 12

How to donate to the Clear The Shelters campaign

Clear the Shelters Jul 22

Hill's Pet Nutrition returns as lead national sponsor of Clear The Shelters

The campaign’s fundraising efforts will continue to be led by longtime partner Greater Good Charities, while animal and pet brand The Dodo will return as a media partner for an eighth campaign.

“It’s a privilege to partner with participating shelters, affiliate stations, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and our employees, to continue to grow and expand this initiative,” McGinn said.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

• X: @ClearTheShelter
• Instagram: cleartheshelters
• TikTok: @cleartheshelters
• Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters and #DesocuparLosAlbergues

The Brandywine Valley SPCA announced a brand new program that aims to enrich the lives of shelter dogs, and expand their chances of finding a new family outside the shelter walls.

Animal lovers in the community are encourage take part in the new “Shelter Skip Day” program and volunteer their time to take an adoptable dog out on a fun outing.

Program organizers say participants can stop by BVSPCA Campuses in West Chester, New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown, and the Animal Rescue Center in Sussex County to choose and sign a dog out for an hour, an afternoon, or the whole day.

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Once participants sign up they will be given a packet of supplies, information and a list of dog-friendly places to visit on their day out.

Shelter Skip Day pick-ups can be made Tuesday through Friday noon to 4 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All dogs must be returned to the originating location an hour before closing time.

“We are so excited to offer this fun opportunity for dog lovers who want to spend time helping homeless animals, but may not be ready to adopt,” BVSPCA Chief Executive Officer Adam Lamb said in a statement. “We know that when dogs spend time out of the shelter, even for short periods, they are more likely to be adopted, and this program gives our communities a new way to engage with the dogs in our care.”

For more information about the program visit bvspca.org/shelter-skip-day.

Brandywine Valley SPCA hosted its annual mega adoption event at the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware over the weekend of June 15-16, finding homes for more than 700 dogs and 400 cats.

This annual week long adoption event partners with 11 shelters to make an impact across the tri-state area.

For just $35 in fees, you can adopt a dog or cat to take home the day of. All animals are previously sprayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

The Mega Love Adoption Event has been extended through June 23, 2024, in hopes of finding home for even more animals.

Visit the animal shelter’s adoption event website to find your new furry friend.

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Faithful Friends Animal Society (FFAS) shared that on Friday morning the Minquas Fire Company in Newport found a kitten inside the hood of a car.

The firefighters carefully rescued the tiny kitten – now named Blaze – from the vehicle and brought it to FFAS for a full examination.

Blaze got the full VIP treatment as he rode in the firetruck to the organization’s new animal adoption and community center on Airport Road in New Castle.

After being examined, the shelter said Blaze is in good health and will soon be available for adoption.

“FFAS is so grateful for the heroic efforts of the Minquas Fire Company and is thrilled to welcome Blaze into their care,” the shelter said in a news release. “Blaze’s journey from under a car hood to the safety of FFAS highlights the extraordinary efforts of our community’s first responders and the importance of animal rescue.”

If you want to learn more about Blaze and the other animals up for adoption visit faithfulfriends.us.

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Treetops Kitty Café in Kennett Square is dedicated to rescuing “misfit” cats – the seniors, the ones with medical needs, the scaredy-cat and the ones no one else wants.

Philly Live recently took a trip to visit the special cafe and met a bunch of sweet kitties who were looking for “forever” homes.

Since opening in 2017, the small nonprofit has saved over 850 cats but now Treetops is in trouble.

Founder Hannah April posted a series of videos to the café’s Instagram. She explained that between rising costs of supplies, recent unexpected medical bills, and a slowdown in donations, the rescue is struggling to keep up financially.

The café also issued a plea to large corporations looking to sponsor a local charity.

If you’re moved to donate, all information can be found on their Instagram.

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Fishtown Taps, a neighborhood-wide, summer-long weekly happy hour is back, and more than two dozen businesses are participating.

Every Tuesday now through October 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., participating locations are offering drink deals, discounted appetizers, and small plate specials. Look out for $5 beers, $6 wines and $7 signature cocktails.

Here’s a list of participating locations:

Alamodak Middle Eastern Grill
Bottle Bar East
Cedar Point
Evil Genius Beer Company
Fette Sau
Fishtown Social
Fishtown Tavern
Five Iron Golf
Frankford Hall
Front Street Café
Garage
Interstate Drafthouse
Izakaya Fishtown
Kraftwork
LMNO
Lloyd Whiskey Bar
Murph’s
Punch Buggy Brewing
R&D
Saint Lazarus Bar
Sancho Pistola’s
Stateside Vodka Bar
The International Bar
Two Robbers Fishtown

“Last year we introduced ‘Fishtown Taps’ as a way to bring people to Fishtown and Kensington during the week with the incentive of specialty cocktails, beer, and wine,” Fishtown District Executive Director Marc Collazzo said in a news release. “We are excited to once again to see the street filled with new shoppers and visitors. This extends not only to the participating establishments, but the retail stores, shops, and services that are here as well.”

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After several large- groups of cats were rescued and more in the near future, the Pennsylvania SPCA‘s headquarters said they are desperately seeking adopters for many furry friends.

This Saturday and Sunday, the shelter will set adoption fees at just $10 for all cats over a year old.

To see a list of available pets visit www.pspca.org/adoptcats.

For more information on the shelter’s policies and procedures, visit www.pspca.org/adoption-process.

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In a series of posts on social media, the PSCPA shared the stories of several of the retired dogs, all animals that served as working dogs for police, military and airport security services, after the animals were taken in by the PSPCA from a kennel that professed to support these animals.

According to the PSPCA, rescuers have secured 28 dogs — mostly German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois — after they were neglected when they were sent to a rescue called K9 Hero Haven, in Herndon, Northumberland County.

“They went to a place that basically took on more than what they could handle,” Nicole Wilson, the PSPCA’s director of animal law enforcement told NBC10’s Karen Hua.

The animals were taken to the shelter once they got too old to do their jobs. It was supposed to be a place where dogs who served the country could relax and enjoy retirement.

However, that location was found to have kennels covered in feces and blood, water bowls there were green from lack of cleaning and dogs there were found losing tufts of hair and they were severely underweight, PSPCA officials said.

“People start out on a path where they have the best intentions, but those intentions are lost when they are no longer able to say no and no longer able to see how they are creating harm now,” said Wilson.

Last year, the operator of K9 Hero Haven, Ann Gibbs, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges and lost her kennel license.

However, PSPCA officials said they have filed additional charges as Gibbs still owns up to 25 dogs legally.

Now, the PSPCA has 10 dogs remaining from this seizure that they are looking to find homes for.

But, officials with the animal shelter said, they want to find people who have experience with working dogs.

For those interested in learning more, contact the PSPCA by emailing gkocher@pspca.org to set up a meet and greet.

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On Monday, the Pennsylvania SPCA‘s Animal Law Enforcement team – who had been contacted by the Pennsylvania State Police on behalf of Coaldale Borough Police – rescued 15 Great Pyrenees-type dogs, two collie-type dogs, two birds, and a turtle from a property in Coaldale, Schuylkill County.

Officials said that Coaldale Borough of Police received a tip from a Good Samaritan regarding dogs at the property in poor health.

After receiving that information, officials said a search warrant was received. During the execution of a search warrant, the PSPCA’s Officers found the dogs suffering from severe skin conditions, many with little or no hair on their bodies.

Officials added that several dogs were suffering from open wounds, believed to be the result of sarcoptic mange.

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The owner surrendered all the animals over and they were brought to both the PSPCA’s Philadelphia headquarters and Main Line Animal Rescue site to undergo examinations, officials said.

The investigation into animal cruelty and neglect is ongoing, and charges are pending the conclusion of the full investigation, according to officials.

“The dogs, who should have had beautiful, fluffy white coats, were instead nearly hairless with crusted scabs and open wounds. Their condition is shocking,” the Pennsylvania SPCA wrote in an Instagram post.

“The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a Great Pyrenees is their beautiful, fluffy white coats,” CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCAJulie Klim said in a news release.“But the dogs rescued yesterday are a stark contrast; instead of white fur, there was red, itchy, rough, bloody skin. This didn’t happen overnight, and sadly these animals have been suffering for some time. We take solace in the fact that they are safe now, and beginning their journey to learning how pets are meant to be treated.”

Anyone with information about this case or other cases involving animal cruelty is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s cruelty hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.

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More than 1,000 pets will be looking for “fur-ever” homes as part of Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Summer Mega Adoption Event.

The event will be held at the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware in Newark on June 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from BVSPCA and participating partner organizations will be available for just $35!

Event organizers said all available pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and have current vaccinations.

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Other participating organizations include – ACCT Philly, Animal Adoption Center in New Jersey, Animal Care Shelter for Kent County in Maryland, Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Crossing Paths Animal Rescue in Alabama, Currituck County Animal Services in North Carolina, Faithful Friends Animal Society in Delaware, Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in New Jersey, Humane Society of Harrisburg Area and Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Texas.

If you are interested in attending, you might want to grab an early access fast pass. The special passes give potential adopters access at 8:30 a.m., which is more than an hour ahead of general admission.

Adopters are encouraged to bring with them a leash and collar if planning on adopting a dog and a carrier if adopting a cat. A valid ID and the adoption fee are required.

“Our Megas are an amazing experience, to see so many pets who have lost everything be chosen by families eager to give them a new life full of love,” Brandywine Valley SPCA CEO Adam Lamb said in a news release. “As the largest adoption event in the country, our goal with the size and format of our Megas is to save even more lives by reaching folks who might not otherwise consider coming to a shelter to adopt.”

For more information, volunteer opportunities and to grab your fast passes, visit megaadopt.com.

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Last month, Brandywine Valley SPCA announced dozens of animals living in deplorable conditions, including a duct-taped kitten were rescued from a Chester County home.

At the time, officials said the kitten, whom they named Roo, was about a month old and was smelling of waste, infection, and was missing a front leg.

Roo was rushed to the Brandywine Valley’s West Chester campus to be treated and has remained there these past few weeks to recover.

“She needed emergency surgery at just 5 weeks old, weighing less than a pound. She was so tiny that she needed a paper plate instead of a cone to keep her from getting to her staples. But she made it through,” the shelter said in a Facebook post.

Clear the Shelters May 11

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Roo healed up while in foster care and now loves nothing more than to jump onto furniture and run up and down the stairs, according to the shelter.

The shelter said Roo’s adoptive family found her by “serendipity.” Her new owner said she had recently lost her own cat and she dreamt about Roo after hearing her story.

“Upon meeting Roo for the first time, Roo immediately curled up in the adopter’s arms the same way her previous cat used to, went to sleep, and was reluctant to be taken away from her. It was as though Roo chose her new home and when she was finally cleared medically to go to her forever home, we knew she already had her place picked out,” the shelter said.

To see the other pets up for adoption visit bvspca.org for more information.

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The BVSPCA said 120 dogs and puppies—primarily Great Danes—were seized from a property in Union County, Florida last month.

Officials said the animals were living in “extremely unsanitary conditions,” and many of the dogs were underweight or had untreated medical conditions.

Eight of those dogs have now made the journey to the Brandywine Valley SPCA West Chester campus.

Now, the BVSPCA is in search of fosters for the dogs to spend their Pennsylvania state-mandated isolation period.

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“Our everyday work doesn’t stop when we step up to help with large rescues like this,” said Lamb. “We need our community to join us in this emergency situation by fostering, adopting and donating so that we can continue to care for the local animals who count on us every day, while we also welcome these eight dogs in need.”

If you are interested in welcoming one of the dogs into your home for fostering or even adoption, you can email wcfoster@bvspca.org or stop by the West Chester campus.

For more information, visit bvspca.org.

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The shelter announced Monday that two longtime residents finally found their forever families and those lucky pups were Chocolate and Jay.

Chocolate had been at the Georgetown campus for 556 days, while Jay had been at the West Chester campus for 250 days.

“We are beyond thrilled that these two sweeties have homes where they can get lots of attention and love, ” the organization said in a Facebook post.

If you are interested in adding a furry friend to your family, you can visit bvspca.org to see all the adopted pets.

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The shelter said there is no space for incoming dogs. To help adoption fees have been waived for dogs over 40 pounds now through Wednesday.

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“We started Wednesday with not a single kennel open and dogs are being euthanized for space,” an ACCT Philly spokesperson said in a statement.

The shelter said its rescue partners are also struggling with overcrowding. ACCT Philly is even paying other rescues to take some dogs off its hands.

If you’re looking to adopt or foster, the shelter is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit ACCTPhilly.org for more information.

In partnership with PetSmart Charities, Brandywine Valley SPCA will bring adoptable pets to four local PetSmart locations for National Adoption Week.

The special in-store adoption event will take place this weekend and feature puppies, kittens, dogs and cats.

PetSmart Charities is celebrating its 30th anniversary and hopes people will attend these events and adopt.

“PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week can be the perfect chance to give a pet in need what they need most – people to love,” Director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities Heidi Marston said in a news release. “With so many shelters across the nation struggling to keep pace with the number of animals in need of care, adopting a new pet makes an impact on the health of your community, too.”

Adoptable pets will be available at the following times and PetSmart locations in our area:

Saturday, March 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christiana: 1291 Churchmans Road, Newark, DE 19713
Rehoboth: 19563 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Plymouth Meeting: 2100 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Sunday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Millsboro: 26680 Centerview Drive, Millsboro, DE 19966
Plymouth Meeting: 2100 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

To view all available pets for adoption you can visit bvspca.org/adopt.

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The shelter is offering $1 dog adoptions now through St. Patrick’s Day

According to Executive Director Ken Sieranski, the shelter has seen a 25% increase in dog intake compared with 2023.

The adoption center is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you would like to see the dogs that are up for adoption you can visit Homeward Bound’s website.

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Anyone who has lost a beloved pet would understand the sorrow the Hinshaw-Gratin family in Murrieta, California felt. They have been carrying a hole in their hearts after losing three beloved pets within a year. 

Then last week, Dee Hinshaw-Gratin and her husband saw the story of Angel, a 1-and-a-half-year-old Siberian Husky and German Shepherd mix, on NBC Los Angeles, they felt an immediate connection. 

“We looked at each other and said, “Yeah, we’re ready,” Hinshaw-Gratin recalled. 

The family was heartbroken and motivated to bring Angel home after hearing her harrowing tale. 

Angel had been under the care of the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center since she was found abandoned at Iglesia Park in Aliso Viejo at around 9 p.m. on Jan. 28. Officials said Angel was tied to a tree with her seven puppies in a box next to her.

“Can you imagine what happened to her? Tied to a tree at a park with her puppies. No food or water with her puppies, so she couldn’t even feed her puppies,” Hinshaw-Gratin said. 

Mission Viejo officials said just hours after NBC Los Angeles aired and published Angel’s story, there was a “surge” in adoption applications. But they decided not to look far and go with the Hinshaw-Gratin family, moved by their love of animals.

“The family members believed Angel would be their beacon of hope,” Kelly Tokarski, a public information specialist with the city of Mission Viejo, said in a statement. “This sweet young pup found her forever home with the caring family, residing on a spacious property, surrounded by love for the rest of her days.”

Tokarski also credited the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center’s nonprofit, DAWG, for saving Angel and her seven puppies.

Hinshaw-Gratin said she feels the family is complete once again.

“You’re a true angel girl,” Hinshaw-Gratin told the pup. “We lucked out, didn’t we?”

The PSPCA, alongside Lancaster County Detectives and the City of Lancaster Police Department executed arrest warrants for Pablo Duran and Donna Renee Smeltzer on Thursday, Feb. 29.

Léelo en español aquí

The pair has been charged with 3 counts of animal cruelty, including felony and misdemeanor level charges in the abuse of two dogs, according to officials.

The PSPCA said on Monday, Feb. 26, officers responded to the 500 block of Dauphin Street after receiving a complaint regarding the welfare of dogs at a home. Upon arrival, officers found a brown pitbull-type dog belonging to Duran in an emaciated condition.

The dog, identified as Beans had muscle wasting, ribs and hips easily visible and a sunken skull, officials said.

Additionally, through veterinary examination, it was found that Beans was anemic, dehydrated and infested with fleas.

The PSPCA said Duran was charged on the felony level for knowingly or intentionally torturing Beans, causing prolonged pain and suffering through the deprivation of necessary sustenance. He was also charged on the felony level for intentionally failing to provide veterinary care causing serious bodily injury or death.

On the misdemeanor level, Duran was charged with knowingly or recklessly ill-treating Beans, risking serious bodily injury or death.

A second dog in the home, identified as Pompei – a miniature poodle – had belonged to Smeltzer. Officials said Pompei was found to be suffering from a complete displaced fracture to one of her hind legs, a break in the pelvis and a full circumferential ligature mark around her muzzle cutting through the lip.

The PSPCA said she had sclera hemorrhage indicative of strangulation or blunt force trauma, a dirty hair coat and urine staining on her legs.

Smeltzer was charged with felony animal cruelty for intentionally or knowingly failing to provide necessary veterinary care causing serious bodily injury, according to officials.

She was also charged with felony animal torture due to a broken leg and pelvis, as well as ligature marks to the muzzle of Pompei. On the misdemeanor level she is charged with knowingly or recklessly ill-treating an animal causing bodily injury or risking serious bodily injury.

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Beans and Pompei were removed from the home and brought to the PSPCA’s Main Line Animal Rescue for immediate and critical veterinary care, officials said.

Pompei will require specialty surgery for her hind leg to be saved and Beans was placed on a refeeding plan and is being monitored closely.

“This case of animal cruelty is particularly disturbing,” CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA Julie Klim said in a news release. “The physical injuries to these precious dogs are hard to stomach, and knowing that their suffering was prolonged by a lack of food and veterinary care is heart wrenching.”

“It is our hope that while we cannot erase what happened to these dogs, we can work to bring them the justice they deserve,” Director of Animal Law Enforcement and Shelter Services at the Pennsylvania SPCA Nicole Wilson added. “The heinous and seemingly intentional mistreatment of these animals is hard to fathom, and it is our hope that the individuals involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Anyone with information about this case or other cases involving animal cruelty is urged to call the PSPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at 866- 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.

If you would like to help Beans and Pompei during their recovery you can visit pspca.org to make a donation.

The shelter said it’s “critically full” and they are lowering the adoption fees to $1.

The adoption center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you would like to see the animals that are up for adoption you can visit Homeward Bound’s website.

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And, there appears to be a link to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Morgan Eveland, of National Park, saw the adoption listing for a 3-year-old pit bull mix named Millie, she knew the pup would be a perfect fit for her family.

“We decided to foster and then we came in to pick her up as an official adoption,” Eveland told NBC10.

The South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in Vineland desperately needs more people to do the same.

“We are at a critical status,” Jessica Morrison of the shelter said. “We’re having to make life and death decisions on a regular basis.”

For more than a year, the staff has tried to keep up with an unprecedented number of dogs in need of new homes.

The facility is about 140% over capacity. The total number of dogs that came in last year was up by more than 800 compared to 2022.

“In my past ten years here, this is the worst that I’ve ever seen it as far as the increase in numbers,” Morrison said.

The shelter is hosting what they call “Fur the Weekend Getaway” and making adoptions for dogs over 6 months just $14 until Valentine’s Day.

“We’re having to help animals in untraditional ways by utilizing our office spaces when we need to,” Morrison explained.

Meanwhile, for weeks, the Toms River Animal Shelter has not accepted any new dogs.

Instead of going to the Toms River shelter, some pets have ended up in Ocean County’s two facilities instead.

“We’re less than 50% of our capacity where we can handle right now,” Ocean County Health Department officer Daniel Regenye said. “With the numbers coming in right now, we can certainly accommodate the animals coming to us.”

Staffers say there’s a common thread among many of the dogs coming in.

A significant number of people who adopted pets during the pandemic are now saying they’re unable to keep them, staffers said.

“The economy plays a role in this,” Morrison said. “There’s so many people contacting us because they cannot find affordable pet-friendly housing.”

For those in Camden County, The Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center is offering reduced adoption fees for all dogs and cats now through Valentine’s Day at just $5.

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A 9-month-old Shar-Pei named Jake “Cronut” Waffles from Cherry Hill, New Jersey is representing Team Fluff for this year’s Puppy Bowl.

Cronut came from the Shar-Pei Rescue of Virginia in Chesapeake, Virginia and has been adopted into the Sevick Family.

Patricia Sevick told NBC10 they gave him the nickname Cronut because it has been 20 years since the release of cronuts and it’s the 20th annual Puppy Bowl.

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Cronut has now become quite popular and is already a celebrity in the neighborhood.

To celebrate Cronut, the chefs at Haddon Culinary even baked special cronuts and donated a portion of the proceeds to help shelter dogs in need.

You can cheer on Cronut in the Puppy Bowl this Sunday at 2 p.m. on Animal Planet.

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The shelter said they have more dogs and cats looking for love this Valentine’s Day than they have kennels.

To help as many animals as possible, Homeward Bound has reduced the adoption fees to $5.

If you are looking for love this holiday this is your chance to adopt and open your heart to an animal in need.

“There are so many animals at the shelter just waiting to find a loving home,” liaison to the animal shelter Commissioner Jeffrey Nash said in a news release. “Please consider opening your heart and your home to a new pet. And if you are unable to adopt right now, the shelter is always looking for donations.”

The adoption center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you would like to see the animals that are up for adoption you can visit Homeward Bound’s website.

The Wooder Bowl will be on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the restaurant located at 2639 Poplar Street.

Guests will have the opportunity to support ACCT Philly by purchasing personalized dog tags or ordering items off the Boozy Mutt menu.

The focus of this event is getting senior dogs adopted as well as supporting ACCT Philly’s YODA Fund helping fund medical care for dogs.

This is your chance to meet adoptable dogs or just bring your own dog to hang out and play.

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There will be complimentary “woofer ice,” a house-made frozen treat consisting of watermelon ice cubes and unsweetened whipped cream, for all dogs who arrive in football gear.

Following the Wooder Bowl you can stick around for a Super Bowl “Watch Pawrty” where there will be additional food and drink specials.

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On Monday, 76 animals were removed from a mobile home after they were found living in “cramped and unsanitary” conditions, according to officials.

The animals were transported to the Brandywine Valley SPCA Animal Rescue Center in Georgetown, Delaware where the animals received care.

The Brandywine Valley SPCA said after being medically evaluated, some of the animals are now ready to be adopted and will be available at three of their adoption campuses starting Saturday at 11 a.m.

Some of the dogs and cats will be available at the campus located at 290 Churchmans Road in New Castle, Delaware.

Most of the dogs and a bird will be up for adoption at the Animal Rescue Center located at 19022 Shingle Point Road in Georgetown and the Georgetown Campus located at 22918 Dupont Highway.

The organization said adoptions are on a first-come basis and all paperwork will be done on-site.

For more information, you can visit bvspca.org.

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The organization said that the length of stay for shelter dogs has increased and the team has been trying to find new ways to find them forever homes.

Now with the PSPCA’s “Test Drive Program,” potential adopters can take dogs home for a week to see if it’s a perfect fit.

“The family can learn in real-time how a pup fits into their lifestyle prior to making the adoption official,” the shelter said in a news release.

Those who are interested in participating in this program must have access to email to communicate with the PSPCA staff daily, be at least 18 years of age and have an approved application.

The dogs who will take part in this program will be over 7 months of age, over 30 pounds and will have been at the shelter for at least 30 days, according to the PSPCA.

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Additionally, the “Test Drive” dogs will not be allowed in dog parks, interact with dogs other than resident dogs and not be allowed to take part in off-leash activities.

“It is no secret that shelters across the country are experience challenging times,” Director of Lifesaving at the Pennsylvania SPCA Maddie Bernstein said in a new release. “The Pennsylvania SPCA is no exception. We are hoping that through the launch of this new program, we will make more families complete, and ultimately create families that are for a lifetime.”

For more information and if you are interested in adopting a furry friend you can visit pspca.org.

A dog named Mecca was adopted on Jan. 5 by Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst resident Ebony Toney and his daughter.

The 4-year-old bulldog had been in the shelter since August after being surrendered by his former owner.

“Mecca is a goofy boy who lives for making people smile,” Burlington County Animal Shelter Director Ericka Haines said in a news release. “He’s really playful and we’re thrilled he is starting off the year in a wonderful new home.”

Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell shared his excitement for Mecca and hopes more loving pets find their forever homes.

“Our most sincere thanks and best wishes go out to the Toney family for opening their hearts and home to Mecca. It’s a great way to start 2024 and we’re hopeful many more residents will follow their example and adopt or foster some of the other wonderful dogs and cats at the shelter still waiting to find a new family,” said O’Connell. “I encourage anyone thinking about adopting a new companion to visit the shelter. Your next best friend could be waiting for you.”

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If you are interested in adopting a furry friend you can visit the Burlington County Animal Shelter located at 35 Academy Drive in Westampton.

Walk-in visits to the shelter are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from noon to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays are by appointment only. For more information click here.

The leadership of the Harrisburg Humane Society and Brandywine Valley SPCA announced Thursday that both governing boards had unanimously approved entering into an affiliation agreement.

“Joining the efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers with the expertise of the Brandywine Valley SPCA will help us elevate our level of care,” HSHA Interim Executive Director Aspasia Yeager said in a news release. “By combining our shared mission and passions, we can continue to grow, save more lives, and reach more of our community with vital resources, while operating more efficiently to keep the focus on the animals who are counting on us.”

Brandywine Valley SPCA was founded nearly 100 years ago in Chester County and continuously works to expand its no-kill initiatives across the country.

Currently, Brandywine Valley SPCA operates and cares for more than 17,000 lost, stray, owner-surrendered, and abused and neglected animals in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, as well as the entire state of Delaware and maintains a 98-percent live release rate.

Delaware became the first “no-kill” state in the country thanks to the work of the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

Now Brandywine Valley SPCA is working to bring this level of lifesaving standard to the Harrisburg region.

“There is an opportunity for growth and a need in this area of Pennsylvania, and we are committed to taking the steps necessary to bring our proven track record as a leader in animal welfare, and no-kill mission to this community where there is still work to be done,” BVSPCA and HSHA Chief Executive Officer Adam Lamb said. “We are counting on those in the Central community to embrace the partnership by supporting HSHA through adopting and donating, not only financially, but also with their time by serving as volunteers and fosters.”

Brandywine Valley SPCA will continue to be a national mentor to animal welfare organizations and match adopters with shelter animals locally and across the country.

Over the years, Brandywine Valley SPCA has led the national largest adoption event in several states which has led to nearly 16,000 adoptions.

“Brandywine Valley SPCA has a proven track record of successful life-saving programming and helping many animal welfare organizations around the country. It’s great to see organizations like Brandywine support community, and state-wide no-kill success as they continue to grow. We commend both the Brandywine Valley SPCA and the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area for the vision and opportunities they are mutually creating for Harrisburg and the state of Pennsylvania,” said Julie Castle, Chief Executive Officer of Best Friends Animal Society.

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As Brandywine Valley SPCA and Humane Society of Harrisburg Area join together, the organizations welcome adopters, donors, fosters and volunteers.

For more information, you can visit humanesocietyhbg.org and bvspca.org.

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For the first time in 47 years, the Adams County SPCA kennels are empty because all of its animals have been adopted and strays have been reunited with their families, the organization shared in a Facebook post.

The kennels were nearly full two weeks ago, but now there are no dogs remaining and only one cat that came as a stray, according to the animal shelter.

The Adams County SPCA shared a joyous photo of its employees smiling in a hallway filled with empty kennels.

“This is the first time in 47 YEARS that the Adams County SPCA is empty let alone at Christmas time, it is a true miracle!” the organization wrote. “To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked VERY hard to take care of the animals in our care and to make sure they got adopted to the right home!”

Adams County SPCA kennel technician Tonya Hays tells TODAY.com the organization moved between 15 and 20 animals either as adoptions or strays returned to owners in the last two weeks to empty the kennels.

“We had to get all them spayed and neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heart worms and tick-borne illness while also processing a lot of (adoption) applications, so the staff worked really hard,” Hays says. “It was pretty cool. It was quite a feat.”

The Adams County SPCA adopted out 94 animals and returned 26 strays to their owners since Nov. 1 and not one of them has been returned, officials told TODAY.com.

Shelter officials wrote on Facebook that the organization has adopted 598 animals this year and reunited 120 pets with their owners. It’s now pitching in to help other shelters in Pennsylvania that are filled.

While it may seem like the holiday spirit motivated more adoptions to help empty the shelters, Hays said they actually discourage people from giving pets as gifts because of the years-long commitment it requires.

Many of the owners who adopted pets from the shelter responded in the comments with photos of their lovable pooches and felines.

The organization also shared “happy tails” on Facebook sent by owners who have recently adopted pets from the shelter, including an adorable cat named Bootsie.

“All of our children adore him but he has been the biggest game changer for my four-year-old autistic daughter,” the owner wrote to the SPCA. “Hope cuddles Bootsie when she’s upset instead of having full-blown meltdowns, cuddles him and practices her verbal expressions of compassion, love and affection. Thank you so much for all you do!”

The Adams County SPCA wrote in a follow-up Facebook post on Dec. 26 that it has “received an overwhelming response” from shelters across the country and in Canada and Mexico, as well as members of the public, asking them to take in animals to shelter.

“Even though our hearts break from them and the situation they are in we need to help our members of OUR community members first,” the organization wrote.

The shelter is only taking animals surrendered by residents within the county as well as surrounding counties and any “overwhelmed shelters” in Pennsylvania.

“We are going to do the best we can to help as many animals and people we can,” the Adams County SPCA wrote.

The ASPCA estimates that 6.3 million animals enter shelters every year, split almost evenly between cats and dogs, and about 4.1 million of them are adopted each year. Approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized each year, the majority of them cats, according to the ASPCA.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

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