On August 4th, as part of NBCUniversal Local's 12th annual Clear the Shelters event, The Animal Rescue Site and Greater Good Charities will fly dozens of cats and dogs out of the South to new homes in Wisconsin.

Nearly 6 million cats and dogs enter shelters every year - only 4 million find homes. We need your help to increase the number of animals adopted. 

Animals are spending more time in shelters waiting to be adopted, especially large dogs. This is only adding to the capacity crisis shelters are already facing as new animals continue to arrive. 

In shelters across the country, highly adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized just because the shelters are overcrowded. In other areas, shelters have a shortage of adoptable pets. We're transporting these pets to shelters where they're immediately adopted.

Help Clear the Shelters by flying dogs and cats to freedom! 

The pets on this flight are at-risk pets; without the flight, they might never find their loving homes due to the overcrowding that often happens in shelters. Sending these pets from under-resourced shelters to shelters with empty spaces will give them a second chance at life AND the adoption they deserve.

Meet some of the pet passengers from this year's flight below!

Meet Lavender!

This sweet dog gave birth to nine puppies after arriving at a foster home. She is the most loving and devoted mama. Lavender and all nine of her puppies are now ready to find loving homes of their own in Wisconsin.

Meet Zeus!

Zeus arrived at the shelter heartbroken after his owner passed away. The six-year-old German shepherd is housebroken, dog friendly, smart as a whip, knows his basic commands, and a really good boy. 

He deserves to be loved again. 

Meet Phoenix!

This beautiful 6-month-old Labrador mix came to the shelter as a cruelty and starvation case - a start to life that is heartbreaking beyond words and one that no puppy should ever know. But Phoenix refused to let that be her story. She rose, healed, and she came out the other side with her tail wagging, her heart wide open, and enough love for absolutely everyone she meets

Help fly them all to freedom!

Help us fund August's Clear the Shelters Flight to Freedom now! Just $10, helps cover the fuel costs of flying a pet 250 miles towards safety. 

*Due to many factors including pets being adopted prior to a flight, receiving shelter capacity, and pet health, the final number of pets on a flight may be different from totals quoted above.