Clear The Shelters is a Fresh Start for Our Dogs, Cats, And Rabbits

This month, the spotlight is on Clear the Shelters! For the 6th year, Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) is joining paws with NBC 7/Telemundo 20 and other animal shelters and rescues in San Diego County and across the country to match adoptable pets with forever families. Clear the Shelters runs through Sunday, September 19.

The timing is perfect to kickoff of our new Fresh Start Program, promoting adoption of some of our long-term residents. While hundreds of pets, especially puppies, were adopted from RCHS early on in the pandemic, others got caught in what we’re calling the “COVID Loop.” These adult and senior pets that would have been adopted under normal circumstances are still waiting for their new families. In some cases, like Bellwether, they have been waiting for more than a year!

With Fresh Start, each week during Clear the Shelters we’ll spotlight three dogs, one cat, and one rabbit who have been with us long term. When these special pets get adopted, they’ll go home with a customized gift basket. The baskets will include treats, toys, food, supplies and, in some cases, professional in-home training sessions specifically designed to meet the needs of the pets and their new families.

Even if this isn’t the right time to adopt a pet, RCHS President Judi Sanzo says you can still help by sponsoring a Fresh Start. “Your tax-deductible donation will support the Fresh Start program and get these adoptable pets started on the right paw. The Fresh Start gift baskets will be ready to go with our long-term adoptable animals even if their adoption happens after the official Clear the Shelters campaign ends. Of course, we’re planning on getting them adopted much sooner!”

For more information, visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas from 11 AM to 2 PM Friday through Monday or Wednesday and Thursday by appointment. You can also visit SDPets.org/FreshStart or call 760-753-6413.

Our friend Joe Little from NBC 7 visited RCHS on the first day of Clear the Shelters 2021. He and his family adopted their dog, Happy, during Clear the Shelters 2019.

Watch Joe’s story: