NBCUniversal's Clear The Shelters campaign raises $500,000 and 135,000 pets find homes

Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week is all about remembering the fur kiddos who don’t get as much attention at the shelter. Senior pets, animals with disabilities, those with chronic health conditions, bonded pairs, or even certain breeds and colors… they all have the same ability to love and form connections with us, yet they’ll stay in shelters and foster care for longer. But it’s in a warm home where love and healing happen. While rescue organizations work hard to get these fur kids into loving homes, we’re asking ourselves: What can the pet industry do to help? The pet sector can create real impact through: • Donations: To help shelters help feed, house, and provide care to long-term furry clients • Elevating Visibility: Using brand platforms to amplify the stories of hard-to-place pets, and to reframe how potential adopters view senior or special-needs animals • Educational Messaging: Normalize the care of pets with chronic health challenges with practical guidance for new pet parents • Charitable Discount Programs: Partnering with rescues to provide ongoing resources or subsidized care plans that ease their financial burdens, such as the NHV Rescue Discount for registered charities Supporting animal welfare is a responsibility for our industry. When brands support rescues, we directly support the pets who need it most. To the shelter teams, rescue founders, and foster coordinators in our network: What kind of support from industry partners would make the most genuine, practical difference for the less-adoptable pets in your care? We would love to hear your insights in the comments below. Are you a registered animal charity? You may also like to sign up for our discount program: https://lnkd.in/gqWUZKnB

Too Many Stray Cats – The Growing Pressure on Rescue Charities Across Britain, animal rescue charities are facing increasing pressure from the number of stray, abandoned and unwanted cats needing help. Behind every rescue is an individual animal that may need food, shelter, veterinary treatment and, hopefully, a loving permanent home. For charities working with limited funds and volunteers, dealing with a constant flow of cats can become overwhelming. A Growing Demand for Rescue Cats can arrive at rescue centres for many different reasons. Some have been abandoned, while others have become lost or are no longer wanted. Kittens from unplanned litters can also enter the rescue system, particularly when cats have not been neutered. Some owners may also reach a point where they can no longer afford to care for their pets. Rising household costs can make food, litter and veterinary treatment increasingly difficult to manage. Whatever the reason, charities are often left trying to find a solution. The Cost of Helping Each Cat Taking a cat into rescue involves much more than finding somewhere for it to stay. A rescued cat may require a health check, vaccinations, neutering, microchipping, flea and worm treatment or medication. Some arrive injured or seriously ill and may need extensive veterinary care. There are also ongoing costs for food, litter, bedding and accommodation. When charities are already caring for many animals, these expenses can quickly become substantial. Volunteers Are Essential Many rescue organisations depend heavily on volunteers. They may spend their time feeding cats, cleaning accommodation, transporting animals to veterinary appointments, fostering kittens and answering requests for help. Without these volunteers, many organisations would struggle to continue. However, volunteers have limits too. There are only so many hours in the day, and constantly increasing demand can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Prevention Could Reduce the Pressure Rescue will always be necessary, but prevention should be a major part of tackling the problem. Neutering is particularly important because it can help prevent unwanted litters. Affordable neutering programmes could make a significant difference, especially for owners who are struggling financially. Microchipping is also valuable because it can help lost cats return to their families instead of entering the rescue system. Interested in cat welfare as well. Read the rest of this article on our Getcatcrazy Site. See other tips and news. https://lnkd.in/ePhVZK9q

1,000 pets desexed. And hopefully, thousands more never born into uncertain futures. 🧡 At Pets Of The Homeless, our focus has always been on prevention. Preventing a difficult situation from becoming a crisis. Preventing people from having to choose between their own needs and those of their pets. And, wherever we can, addressing a problem before it starts. That thinking is what led us to launch our Fix-A-Friend subsidised desexing program in 2022. Desexing can be expensive, particularly for people already doing it tough. We wanted to remove that barrier and make it genuinely affordable for people to do the responsible thing for their pets. Because the impact goes well beyond one procedure. It prevents unwanted litters, reduces pressure on shelters and rescue organisations, and can prevent a number of future health issues for the pet. We were fortunate to receive seed funding to get Fix-A-Friend off the ground. But one thing I’m very conscious of whenever I launch a new program is sustainability. I don’t want to create a service people come to rely on unless I’m confident we can keep it going after the initial funding ends. Four years later, I’m incredibly proud to share that we have now desexed our 1,000th pet through Fix-A-Friend. 🎉 To put the preventative impact into perspective, RSPCA Victoria estimates that just one undesexed female cat and her offspring can produce up to 5,000 cats in seven years. So while 1,000 procedures is a milestone worth celebrating, it’s the ripple effect that really matters. And we’re not slowing down. We now fundraise to keep Fix-A-Friend running, and this year we’re ramping up the program significantly, with an estimated 500 pets to be desexed this year alone. Prevention isn’t always the most visible part of what we do. But when it works, the crisis never happens in the first place. If your business/organisation/Foundation believes in the power of prevention and would like to help us make preventative veterinary care accessible to more Victorian pet owners, I’d love to hear from you.

Pure Dog Talk host Laura Reeves sits down with Brandi Munden, President of the AKC Humane Fund and VP of PR and Communications. Together, they pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful philanthropic organizations in the canine community. To date, the AKC Humane Fund has distributed over $2 million in grants and donations. In this deep dive, Brandi shares how this 501(c)(3) nonprofit is dedicated to keeping all pets and their people together, especially during their most vulnerable moments. We shine a bright spotlight on two critical grant programs: 🐕 Veterinary Care Assistance Grants (New This Year!) Launched at the start of this year, this initiative is the Humane Fund's newest baby. As veterinary costs continue to rise and "vet deserts" make accessible treatment harder to find, too many owners face the heartbreaking choice of surrendering their beloved animals. To combat this crisis, the Humane Fund has provided low-cost veterinary funds directly to organizations like the VCA group, Blue Pearl, and Banfield. Who it helps: Reputable organizations providing direct medical care and boarding for animals in need. Grant sizes: Average grants range from $5,000 to $15,000, with total funding of $60,000 to $70,000 distributed annually. Application details: The process is simple, fast, and accessible online, with a renewal cycle allowed every three years. 🏠 Domestic Violence Shelter Grants Statistically, pets are a frequent target of abusers. Tragically, many victims of domestic violence delay leaving or choose to remain in abusive situations simply because they cannot bear to abandon their pets. The AKC Humane Fund's Domestic Violence Shelter Grants are designed to break this cycle by helping shelters accommodate pets of all kinds, not just dogs. How the funding is used: Grants help domestic violence shelters construct pet-friendly housing spaces, purchase critical equipment, or coordinate secure off-site boarding where owners still have regular access to their pets. The impact: Shelters report that these grants have enabled them to help 25% to 35% more people, providing safety and peace of mind for survivors and their beloved animals. ❤️ Supporting All Pets and Their People The AKC Humane Fund operates under the firm belief that every pet owner should have the opportunity to live a safe, healthy life with their animals. From mixed breeds competing in the AKC Canine Partners program to support for breed-specific rescue networks, the AKC is actively evolving to serve as a modern, inclusive resource for every pet lover, no matter where they are on their journey.

Responsible Pet Ownership Includes Planning for the Future. Here Is Where to Start. Thoughtful leaders plan not just for today but for every contingency that lies ahead. We purchase insurance, write wills, and designate trusted people to carry our intentions forward when we cannot. Yet one area that is frequently overlooked in that planning process is the care of our pets. At the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, we see firsthand what happens when a beloved animal outlives its owner or enters a home where circumstances have changed without a plan in place. It is one of the most common and most preventable reasons animals end up in shelters. Taking the time now to plan for your pet's future is one of the most loving and responsible things you can do, and it does not have to be complicated. There are several straightforward steps every pet owner can take. First, identify a trusted person in your life who is willing and able to care for your pet if you are no longer able to do so, and have that conversation directly so there are no surprises. Second, include your pet in your estate planning. An attorney can help you establish a pet trust, a legal arrangement that designates funds specifically for your animal's ongoing care. Third, document everything your future caregiver would need to know: your pet's veterinarian, medical history, dietary needs, daily routine, and personality. Fourth, consider reaching out to a local rescue organization or shelter, including the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, to understand surrender processes and options in advance. A little planning today ensures that the animal who has given you unconditional love will continue to receive exactly that, no matter what the future holds. Visit Us Today The Bella Vista Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Your support, whether through adoption, donation, or volunteering, keeps our mission moving forward. We are grateful for this incredible Northwest Arkansas community. #BellaVistaAnimalShelter #NorthwestArkansas #NonprofitLeadership #AnimalWelfare #ResponsiblePetOwnership #PetPlanning #EstatePlanning #PetTrust #CommunityImpact #MissionDriven #PetsOfLinkedIn #NWADogs #NWACats #NorthwestArkansasNonprofit #BentonvilleAR

Let’s CLEAR THE SHELTERS this weekend!!! As part of the campaign, adoption fees for small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, and parakeets will be waived, while adoption fees for large adult dogs (one year and older weighing more than 40 pounds) will be reduced by $200 at all three ARL Animal Care & Adoption Centers.

This week, WSYR ran a feature on the Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation that captured something central to how we think about growth — not just of dogs, but of an organization. The story centered on our training zones in Clinton, NY: spaces deliberately built to mirror the noise, color, and chaotic energy of the Guatemalan villages where this mission started in 2017, after I rescued a single street puppy. Dogs that learn to stay calm and confident in that kind of real-world stimulation — the same dogs that learn to ride a motorcycle or sit steady in a kayak — become dogs that can handle anything a family home throws at them. That's the training philosophy. But it's also, in miniature, our organizational philosophy: build for the hardest conditions first, and everything after gets easier. Right now, Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation runs its rescue operations, training programs, Second Chance Initiative (coffee and soap sold to directly fund rescue work), food-growing/seed bank program, and our Dog Immersion Program — all without a permanent home. Our next goal is to change that: acquiring land in Guatemala to consolidate and scale everything we do into one sustainable, profit-generating base of operations. This isn't about building bigger for its own sake. It's about building a model that doesn't depend indefinitely on donations — one where coffee sales, food programs, and immersion trips fund the rescue work directly, the way a handful of pounds of coffee already covered a full vet bill for one of our rescued puppies this year. If your network includes people interested in land partnerships, impact investment, or sustainable nonprofit models in Central America, I'd love an introduction. We're not looking for charity — we're building a case for what a self-sustaining animal welfare organization can look like.

Cat overpopulation remains one of the biggest animal welfare challenges facing the UK today. Every year, thousands of unwanted kittens are born, placing immense pressure on rescue centres, veterinary practices, and animal welfare charities. Neutering is one of the most effective ways to address this issue. Not only does neutering prevent unplanned litters, but it also provides significant health and welfare benefits for cats. Unfortunately, for some owners, the cost of neutering can be a barrier. That's why our free neutering scheme for owned cats, funded by Pets Foundation, is so very important. By removing the financial obstacle, we're helping more owners access this essential procedure and making a real difference to cat welfare in our communities. Every cat neutered today helps prevent future unwanted litters, reduces pressure on already stretched rescue services, and contributes to a future where fewer cats are left vulnerable, abandoned, or homeless. This is about more than a single procedure. It's about responsible pet ownership, better welfare outcomes, and creating lasting change for cats across the UK. The uptake of our scheme has been unprecedented, proving that financial & time restrictions are the biggest hurdle for pet owners to overcome. Since our Welfare Scheme began in June, we have neutered 167 owned cats and financed the euthanasia of 8 owned cats. We have been surprised and delighted that so many female cats are being neutered with our scheme, and that spay-abort procedures have specifically been requested. Vets can charge a huge premium for spay-abort procedures, making neutering even more of a financial strain. We have aimed to make our service as simple as possible- we collect the cats on day 1, take them to our vets for an overnight stay before being neutered and returned home on day 2. We make it very clear that this is a 'one-time only' service and if the cats aren't present when we arrive, that's their opportunity gone. Our success rate is over 99% (one boy did a runner through an open window...) which exceeds all of our expectations. I will openly admit that the scheme has been more effective than I'd anticipated - we'd spent hours working out contingency plans that have yet to be needed. The gratitude from the owners has been humbling and given me a very different perspective as to the hurdles some people have to overcome to reach out for help. The 167 cats we've neutered so far, and the 56 on our waiting list, are all from our one post on our Facebook page on the 1st of June. No further advertising has been necessary of yet. Neutering MUST become the number one priority for all cat rescues in the UK along with funding bodies, if there is any chance to reduce current cat numbers. We are so grateful to Pets Foundation for giving us the opportunity to prove that people DO want neutering help, and that by removing common obstacles, that help can be successfully achieved. Our very first Neutering Scheme cats:

🎉 Planned PEThood of Georgia Celebrates 16 Years of Paws, Purpose & Progress ! Planned PEThood is celebrating its 16th anniversary - marking 16 years of saving lives, preventing animal suffering, and expanding access to veterinary care throughout Georgia. Founded in 2010 as a Duluth based nonprofit, low-cost spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs, Planned PEThood has grown into a comprehensive, prevention-focused animal welfare powerhouse serving pets, families, and communities across Northeast Georgia and Metro Atlanta. Over the past 16 years, the organization has expanded its services to include affordable veterinary wellness care, treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, spay and neuter services, community cat TNVR, rescue and adoption, and community outreach. Its FIDO Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic and free community vaccine clinics extend veterinary services to communities with limited access to affordable pet care. Planned PEThood also provides veterinary services for animals in the care of county and municipal animal welfare agencies. In 2025, Planned PEThood helped more than 12,400 cats and dogs. In 2026, the organization is on pace to serve nearly 20,000 pets. What sets Planned PEThood apart is its focus on prevention. While adoption remains an important part of animal welfare, Planned PEThood works to address the factors that cause animals to enter shelters in the first place. By providing affordable and accessible nonprofit veterinary care, spay and neuter services, community cat population management, and preventive services, the organization works to reduce unwanted litters, prevent illness, and help keep pets in their homes. None of this is possible without Planned PEThood's sponsors and donors. Their support and generosity funds these lifesaving programs. “Sixteen years ago, we started with a simple goal: make spay and neuter more accessible to the community,” said CJ Bentley, Chief Executive Officer at Planned PEThood of Georgia. “Today, that same commitment to prevention has grown into a much broader approach to animal welfare - one that focuses on addressing problems before they become family, shelter or animal welfare crises.” The organization will celebrate its 16th anniversary in September and October 2026 with opportunities to highlight the people, pets, programs, and milestones that have shaped its journey. “Sixteen years represents thousands of individual moments—an animal receiving care, a litter that never enters a shelter, a family able to access veterinary services, or a community gaining resources to better care for its pets,” said Bentley. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited about what the next 16 years can bring.” #animalwelfare #spayneuter #gwinnettcounty

We’re excited to share the VCA Charities 2025 Impact Highlights, celebrating the incredible difference made for pets and their families last year. From emergency veterinary care and disaster response to shelter enrichment and pet food support, these programs helped hundreds of thousands of pets access the veterinary care, resources, and second chances they needed.   Some highlights from 2025: 💙 Over $4.1 million granted to support pets and families in need 🏥 Over $770,000 through HOPE Funds, helping thousands of income-qualifying pet owners access emergency veterinary care pets access lifesaving veterinary care 🍽️ 1.5 million pet meals provided through our network of nonprofit partners 🐶 $1.5 million awarded through Ready for Rescue Grants, helping shelter pets prepare for loving homes 🦮 35,000 shelter dog field trips supported by training and funding through our Dog Day Out program 🌪️ $116,000 in Disaster Relief grants, supporting 4,877 pets impacted by emergencies and natural disasters   Thank you to our generous donors for funding this life-changing work, to VCA Animal Hospitals Associates for the compassion and dedication they provide every day in the hospitals, and to our nonprofit partners for their tireless efforts to support pets. Together, we’re removing the barriers to pet ownership and helping more pets find and remain in loving homes.   #ABetterWorldForPets #VCACharities #VCA #AccessToCare #ShelterDogs