Local NBC Stations in Over 30 Markets Across the U.S. Team Up with Shelters to Find Homes for Thousands of Animals

For Immediate Release

Contact: Erin Long, Marketing Coordinator
Humane Society of Harford County
410-836-1090, x106
erin@harfordshelter.org

Fallston, MD (July 19, 2016) – The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) will open its doors wide on Saturday, July 23 as part of a one-day, nationwide pet adoption drive called Clear the Shelters. Adoption fees on all shelter pets will be waived with hopes that every animal will find a loving, permanent home.

“Almost 4,500 animals enter our shelter every year, including cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs, ferrets, mice and rats, chickens and more,” said Jen Swanson, executive director at HSHC. “We’re very excited to join forces with NBC4 out of Washington, DC and shelters all across the country to help find homes for thousands of pets this Saturday. We want to open for business on Sunday with little or no animals left!”

HSHC will be open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday. Interested adopters can view the photos and biographies of the cats, dogs and small critters ahead of time as well as download an adoption application. Regular adoption procedures will apply. As part of the adoption process for dogs, every member of the home as well as all resident dog(s), must come to HSHC to meet and greet the potential new addition with one of HSHC’s adoption counselors.

“We have a huge selection of animals to choose from,” says Cat Kelly, shelter operations director at HSHC. “Not only do we have cats and dogs, but we also have rabbits, guinea pigs and even mice up for adoption.”

Animals adopted from HSHC include a distemper vaccination (DHPP for dogs & FVRCP for cats), a rabies vaccination (if the animal is at least 3 months old), canine flu vaccination, canine kennel cough vaccination, FeLV (feline leukemia) & FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) testing, de-wormer, flea & tick preventative, a microchip, a free sample of Hill’s Science Diet food, and a general exam.

There is an additional $50 deposit for a HASP (Harford Animal Sterilization Program) certificate if the animal needs to be spayed or neutered. That fee is refunded upon completion of the procedure within 60 days.

About Clear the Shelters
HSHC will participate as an official Clear the Shelters partner alongside NBC4, the local news affiliate in Washington, DC. This year’s Clear the Shelters event comes after last year’s highly successful inaugural effort, which resulted in nearly 20,000 pets finding new homes through a partnership between the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations and hundreds of animal shelters in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The nationwide day of action literally emptied dozens of animal shelters across the country and inspired local communities to take action and open their homes to animals in need. Visit www.cleartheshelters.com for the full list of local participating animal shelters and to view a real-time pet “Adoption Tracker” on July 23rd.

About the Humane Society of Harford County
The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the approximately 4,500 animals that come to us each year. We promote the kind treatment of homeless, stray and abandoned animals by providing shelter, care, adoptions, and community education. We are not a county agency nor are we affiliated with any national or regional organization. Your tax-deductible donations, bequests, and proceeds from events are crucial to our life-saving efforts on behalf of the animals of our community.