Hundreds of loving animals across San Diego found forever homes on Saturday during the annual Clear The Shelters day.
NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 partnered with animal shelters and rescue centers across San Diego to waive all adoption fees on Saturday. The goal is to clear the shelters by finding forever homes for as many pets as possible.
On Saturday, 608 animals found new homes. Twelve local shelters participated this year in Clear the Shelters. Nationwide, 76,206 animals found homes.
[G]See Photos of the Dogs, Cats, Bunnies and Animals That Found Forever Homes During NBC7's Annual Clear the Shelters Event in San Diego
"We just adopted Blue!" one family told NBC 7, holding their new dog. "Thank you to all the shelters. He's amazing!"
Over 53,000 pets were adopted during last year’s event, but millions more remain homeless. Every year, 7.6 million animals end up in shelters nationwide — and only 2.7 million are adopted, according to the ASPCA.
NBC 7 Meteorologist Dagmar Midcap offered some tips that might help you find what you're looking for during Clear the Shelters and any adoption in the future.
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First, don’t let appearance be the sole reason you take home a furry friend. The cutest animal you see this weekend may not be the best fit for your lifestyle. When you visit a shelter, have an idea of what you want in a pet before falling in love with a set of puppy, or cat or turtle eyes.
Adoption counselors will be on site to help guide you through the process so that you, and your new pet, go home happy.
And don’t be surprised if the perfect pet for you isn’t young and spry. Mature dogs, for example, are great because they’ve outgrown that rambunctious and energetic stage that some can’t keep up with. Adult cats are great, too, because they are usually already litter box trained.
If dogs and cats aren’t your thing, there are plenty of slithering, hopping, carrot-chomping, and all-around awesome animals at county shelters in need of a new home.
#ClearTheShelters: Loving Pets Find Their Forever Homes in San Diego
