Learn More About Local Animal Rescues and Clear the Shelter Month

In August, the nationwide Pet Adoption & Donation Campaign (from NBCUniversal Local) also known as Clear the Shelters, is returning for a 10^th straight year. The month-long adoption initiative is held from August 10^th to September 10^th and in honor of the 10^th anniversary, the donation initiative has been extended from August 1st-September 30^th. GECU Cares is promoting this program and celebrating a decade of helping one million animals find their forever homes; this is also a cause our team members care deeply about, as we have supported several of the local animal organizations mentioned below. 

The Clear the Shelters Campaign was established through partnerships with animal shelters, rescue organizations, and media outlets to connect caring families with pets in need, while tackling pet overpopulation and advocating for responsible pet ownership. In 2023, thanks to the hard work of shelters across the country, over 150,000 pets found new homes and more than $575,000 was raised in donations.

Many shelters continue to struggle with overcrowding nationwide. At most non-profit organizations, animals enter the shelters faster than they can be adopted. The rescues are full of amazing, loving animals who are just looking for the right person or family to give them a good home. To raise awareness about the Clear the Shelters Campaign, we would like to highlight a few of the non-profits we work with to help even more local pets find happy homes and “clear out” these facilities. GECU team members have volunteered regularly with HART Animal Rescue, Save the Animals Foundation, and SPCA Cincinnati over the years. All three partners do an incredible job of taking care of their animals and helping each pet find a loving owner who will give them a second chance at a happy, healthy life. Read on to learn more about these organizations.

Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART)

HART’s mission is to rescue homeless animals, saving them from euthanasia, abandonment, and abuse with the goal of placing them in forever homes. However, HART doesn’t have a physical facility, as the organization is all foster home-based and supported with a network of volunteers; all their animals are housed in private foster homes. 

When HART was a GECU Giveback Partner previously, our team members enjoyed working with the organization and supporting its events throughout the year. Every volunteer shares the same passion—to care for, love, and save these animals (with an emphasis on spaying and neutering to prevent overpopulation) and to help each pet find a permanent home. There are many opportunities to volunteer with HART such as working at their special events or becoming a foster home for an ever-expanding network of dogs and cats. 

Save the Animals Foundation

Save the Animals Foundation (STAF), located at 4011 Red Bank Road in Cincinnati, is one of our 2024 Giveback Partners. The all-volunteer driven non-profit is a no-kill shelter providing rescue and rehabilitation to alleviate the suffering of dogs and cats, while helping each animal find a loving home. 

STAF operates entirely with volunteers;, and the shelter relies on a network of approximately 400 individuals to manage their daily operations. These committed volunteers are driven by their love of animals and rewarded with a sense of fulfillment when they positively impact the welfare and well-being of these furry friends. There are a variety of ways to support STAF; the shelter always needs volunteers, pet supply donations, and loving people who are interested in adopting a dog or cat. Every caring individual can make a difference at STAF by giving every shelter animal the attention and love they need and deserve. 

SPCA Cincinnati

The SPCA Cincinnati has been a leading hometown animal shelter for 150 years. Founded in 1873 as the Ohio Humane Society, it was the first organization of its kind in the state. In 1907, the name was changed to The Hamilton County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and is currently known as the SPCA Cincinnati. 

Located at 11900 Conrey Road in Cincinnati, the shelter offers a variety of solutions for everything animal-related from pet adoptions to vaccination clinics. The SPCA provides compassionate care for each animal that comes to the shelter, from food to medical care, as well as exercise and enrichment to prepare the animals for new homes. The staff and volunteers strive to give the animals (in their care) the best humane treatment; in addition, the organization continuously develops and offers programs to support pet owners. There are several opportunities to get involved with SPCA Cincinnati, beyond rescuing your own furry friend. You can volunteer at the shelter, work in the intake area, train and foster animals, support their special events, and so much more. 

For more information about the Clear the Shelters Campaign, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details about local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com. We hope you enjoyed learning about this initiative, as well as several of the local animal organizations we partner with regularly. Every animal deserves to be cared for, loved, and treated well in a forever home; this is why we support these non-profits and the important work they do. If you would like to visit a shelter or inquire about a pet in their care, contact the organizations directly to set up an appointment. Please take a moment to spread the word about Clear the Shelter Month and help a furry friend find a new home by sharing this article to your social media profile.

Let’s advocate for Clear the Shelter Month!
If you have volunteered with one of these organization or adopted a furry friend,
tell us about it; send a message to [email protected]
#GECUCares