Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year1. This year marks a critical time as over the past five months, more animals are entering shelters than leaving them2. That's why Hill's Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-led pet nutrition, is ramping up its year-round support of shelters as part of its mission to help end pet homelessness.

For the fifth year, Hill's returns as the national sponsor of  Clear The Shelters, NBCUniversal Local's nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign, and is teaming up with actor Taylor Lautner (Twilight, Scream Queens) to encourage prospective pet owners to find their new best friend during the country's largest pet adoption of the year.

A Cause Close to the Heart

As a longtime pet lover and owner, Lautner adopted his dog Remi in 2021 and jumped at the opportunity to join this year's Clear The Shelters campaign.

"Adopting Remi was one of the best decisions my fiancée and I have ever made. She not only completed our family but has also fueled our passion for advocating for shelter pets who are in need of a loving home," said Lautner. "Hill's does a great job helping get shelter pets ready for adoption through science-led nutrition. Together we encourage anyone considering adopting a pet to open their hearts and homes to pets in need."

Clear The Shelters…For Good

Each year through Clear The Shelters, NBC and Telemundo stations nationwide team up with shelters and rescues in their communities, which included more than 1,300 organizations last year, to help find loving homes for pets in need. Since its inception in 2015, the campaign has helped more than 700,000 find their forever homes.

The campaign will again feature online donations through partners Greater Good Charities, a global nonprofit, and The Animal Rescue Site, which will host the fundraising and cover all transaction fees so that 100 percent of donations go directly to shelters and rescues in need. Online donations can be made to participating shelters or rescues during the campaign at ClearTheSheltersFund.org, which is also accessible via ClearTheShelters.com.

In addition to being a national sponsor, Hill's will provide adoption kits to new pet parents containing starter bags of Hill's pet food, coupons, pet-parenting tips and other supplies, which will be available at select shelters throughout the month. 

"For the past two decades, Hill's has helped millions of shelter pets find their forever homes through our Hill's Food, Shelter & Love program, and we are proud to continue our long-time support of the Clear The Shelter campaign," said Nicki Baty, President of Hill's Pet Nutrition US. "We are grateful to work in partnership with Greater Good Charities, Taylor Lautner, and thousands of veterinary, retail and shelter partners nationwide, to help end pet homelessness - especially during a time when shelters are under-resourced and experiencing rising intake rates."

Hill's is also providing financial support for the campaign to support two Greater Good Charities "Good Flights" pet airlifts during Clear The Shelters month in August, where at-risk animals in overpopulated shelters will be transported to new shelters to be evaluated and receive needed medical care before being put up for adoption.

With purpose at the heart of everything, Hill's is empowering its employees to give back to communities and support the initiatives that help drive the brand's mission forward. Across the organization, hundreds of Hill's employees will volunteer at participating shelters during Clear The Shelters crescendo weekend August 26-28, 2022 to provide adoption kits to help pet parents welcome their new pets into the family.

20 Years of Helping Pets Find Forever Homes

The year's campaign also coincides with the 20th Anniversary of Hill's Food, Shelter and Love program, which partners with shelters 365 days a year to supply premium pet nutrition for animals in need. The program has provided more than $300 million in pet food to more than 1,000 shelters and has helped more than 12 million pets find new homes. When pet parents purchase Hill's products, they help us provide premium nutrition to thousands of shelter pets across the country.

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.

To learn more about Hill's support of shelters and the pets they care for, visit www.hillscleartheshelters.com.

¹American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
²Shelter Animals Count