
Famed Actor & Advocate Becomes Spokesman For 2022 “Clear the Shelters” Campaign
You may know him from The Blacklist or The Kite Runner, which just debuted on Broadway, but now stage, film, and television actor Amir Arison is playing another role that’s close to his heart.
The animal-loving actor has become the spokesman for this year’s Clear the Shelters campaign, NBCUniversal Local’s nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign that runs from Aug. 1 to 31. Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has helped more than 700,000 pets find new homes!
“I am beyond honored to help Clear the Shelters,” said Arison, a long-time animal rescue advocate who can’t imagine life without his own adopted dog, Reina.
“When we rescued Reina, my little perfect mutt, my life changed forever and I can’t imagine life without her,” the actor said. “Reina makes home feel like home. With so many sweet souls in need, fostering and adopting pets not only helps shelters, it gives so many dogs and cats new homes. Additionally, it will give your life a whole new dimension of love.”
The Animal Rescue Site is also thrilled to play a role in 2022’s Clear the Shelters campaign by partnering with NBCUniversal Local, Greater Good Charities, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition on two life-saving pet airlifts on Aug. 2 and Aug. 30. These special flights will airlift 200+ shelter pets from overcrowded shelters in the South to safety in Massachusetts and New Jersey, where they’ll be transferred to local shelters for adoption.

Both flights will focus on saving harder-to-adopt cats and dogs from overpopulated shelters in Florida and Louisiana, including asymptomatic heartworm-positive shelter dogs, homeless cats, and large dogs. Without these life-saving flights, many of these animals would be at risk for euthanasia.
Our first Clear The Shelters flight will fly from Florida to Massachusetts on Aug. 2 filled with 160+ shelter cats from overcrowded shelters in South Florida. This includes kittens like July and August, who were both rescued during the height of kitten season. This life-saving flight will give these adorable kittens the chance to grow up in forever homes!

Our Aug. 2 flight will also fly adult cats like Sasha and Margo, two shelter BBFs hoping to find a forever home together! After the plane lands in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Sasha, Margo, July, August and all of their fellow shelter pet friends will be transferred to receiving shelters in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for adoption.
On Aug. 30, a second Clear the Shelters flight will fly 50 at-risk shelter dogs from Louisiana – where shelter overcrowding and high rates of heartworm infection leave animals in danger – to safety in New Jersey, where they’ll be distributed to local shelters for adoption. Learn more about our shelter pet fliers!

These airlifts are part of Greater Good Charities’ Good Flights program and funded by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and The Animal Rescue Site, which is also donating much-needed supplies to shelters participating in this year’s pet adoption and donation campaign. Once again, The Animal Rescue Site is hosting fundraising for this year’s shelter donation drive and covering 100 percent of transaction fees to ensure every cent goes to shelters and rescues in need. Support your favorite shelters here!

“It might seem like there is nothing cuter than a puppy or kitten, but there is nothing sweeter than saving a life – adopt, don’t shop,” said Arison, who will also be hosting a TV special highlighting some of this year’s Clear the Shelters adoption stories. “Let’s help all those animals in need, I promise you won’t regret it. Reina changed my life, and I know your new fur-baby-family-member will change yours.”
Please make a donation to support our Aug. 2 and Aug. 30 Clear the Shelters flights, which–like all of our Flights to Freedom–depend on your generous donations! Just $5 allows us to fund 125 air miles for a needy shelter pet passenger, while larger donations can save even more lives. For a limited time, your donations will also be matched by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, up to $30,000.
Learn more about Clear the Shelters 2022 and make a donation to support your favorite shelters!
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