Clear The Shelters™ Fee-Waived Adoption Weekend
Published on August 14, 2026
Collier County Domestic Animal Services Joins NBCUniversal Local’s 12th Annual Clear The Shelters™ Campaign with Fee-Waived Adoption Weekend and Community Market Event
Collier County Domestic Animal Services (CCDAS) has joined NBCUniversal Local’s 12th annual pet adoption campaign, Clear The Shelters Presented by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, to help more shelter pets find loving homes and connect the community with adoptable animals.
As part of the nationwide initiative, NBC and Telemundo stations partner with animal shelters and rescues in their communities to promote pet adoption and raise awareness for animal welfare. Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has helped more than 1.3 million pets find new homes.
To celebrate this year’s campaign, Collier County Domestic Animal Services will host a fee-waived adoption weekend from Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23, providing an opportunity for members of the community to adopt a shelter pet without an adoption fee. The special adoption event will help more animals find their new homes while creating space at the shelter for other pets in need.
As part of the Clear The Shelters celebration, Collier County Domestic Animal Services will host its first-ever Community Market event on Saturday, August 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will promote participation in NBCU’s national pet adoption campaign while bringing the community together in support of local animal welfare.
The family-friendly event will transform the shelter into a community gathering space featuring several local, animal-focused businesses from Collier County, offering pet-related products, services and information for animal lovers of all ages. Attendees can also enjoy food from two local food trucks, children’s face painting and an opportunity for kids to adopt and name a stuffed animal to take home.
"Clear The Shelters is another opportunity to highlight the amazing pets waiting for homes at Domestic Animal Services and connect them with families looking to adopt," said Grace Angel, Operations Manager of Collier County Domestic Animal Services. "Our fee-waived adoption weekend and Community Market event will give the community a chance to meet adoptable pets, learn more about responsible pet ownership and celebrate the important role animals play in our lives."
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-based pet nutrition and leading supporter of animal welfare, is returning as the campaign’s national sponsor for the ninth consecutive campaign. For the first time, Hill’s is serving as the presenting sponsor of Clear The Shelters this year.
For more information about Clear The Shelters, visit ClearTheShelters.com.
For more information about Collier County Domestic Animal Services, available pets and adoption services, visit Pets.Collier.Gov or call (239) 252-7387 (PETS).
About Domestic Animal Services
Collier County Domestic Animal Services is the county’s public animal shelter, providing care for lost and homeless animals, adoption services, community outreach and enforcement of animal-related ordinances. The shelter takes in thousands of animals each year and works to support public safety, responsible pet ownership and lifesaving outcomes.
About Clear The Shelters
NBCUniversal Local’s Clear The Shelters™ is an annual nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign held each August. As part of the initiative, NBC- and Telemundo-owned and affiliated stations partner with animal shelters and rescues in communities across the U.S. to promote pet adoption and raise funds for participating shelters. Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has led to more than 1.3 million pet adoptions and raised more than $5.6 million. Longtime campaign supporters include Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a national sponsor for nine consecutive years and presenting sponsor in 2026, Greater Good Charities and We Rescue. Clear The Shelters was inspired by a 2014 North Texas pet adoption event hosted by NBC 5 / KXAS and Telemundo 39 / KXTX.
Media Contact:
Meredith McLean
Division Director, Domestic Animal Services
(239) 877-8186