The numbers are in and more than 600 pets in the state have new homes thanks to NBC Connecticut's Clear the Shelters event Saturday.
It was part of a nationwide initiative we participated in, Aug. 15, to help animal shelters across Connecticut place all of their dogs, cats and even bunnies with forever homes. Nationally, 17,699 pets were adopted.
Many participating shelters among the 40 shelters or so taking part in the event offered reduced adoption fees.
NBC Connecticut teamed up with the Connecticut Humane Society and numerous shelters in hopes to find your perfect pet match. The Connecticut Humane Society is the leading resource in the state for companion animal welfare, enriching the lives of families and communities through adoption services, medical care, education and prevention of cruelty.
Ellen DeGeneres gave the national event a shoutout on Twitter, tweeting, "It’s Clear the Shelters Day. I hope everyone gets to know the joy of adopting a rescue pet. There’s no better feeling."
At the Connecticut Humane Society in Newington, the lines stretched into the parking lot before Clear the Shelters even started at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Employees there told us Saturday set a record for the most dogs adopted there in one day.
Kevin Moody of Simsbury was first in line looking for a kitten.
"I grew up with a cat my whole life and now that she passed away we kind of want to start a new chapter," Kevin Moody, of Simsbury, said.
As the crowd gathered outside, adoptions took place inside -- dogs, cats, and other furry friends finding forever homes. Stephanie Gonzalez adopted a dog there three weeks ago.
"My daughter fell in love with her and then my sister also fell in love with her so now we're here to get one for my sister," Stephanie Gonzalez, of Newington, said of their new pet.
We posted a photo of Pilar, a dog up for adoption through the Connecticut Humane Society, on Facebook before the event started Saturday morning. Great news! Pilar found a new home, already showing a whole lot of love for a new family.
Local
Clear the Shelters also took place in cities across the country with the help of other NBC-owned stations.
In North Haven, while some animals remain there, they say adoptions actually picked up earlier in the week as word of this event spread.
"Because of the publicity we've had a lot more footwork coming in this week. We've had a few animals adopted out this week," Dave Carney, of North Haven Animal Control, said.
By mid-afternoon, all three of the shelter's dogs were adopted, as two cute kittens still waited for new homes.
"It's about getting awareness out to people about the nice dogs that are in shelters," Carney said.
And in Plainville, by early afternoon, the Almost Home rescue organization adopted 14 dogs -- including Lady who headed home with her new owners.
"She kind of came to us. She kind of picked us out of the crowd and wanted to come home with us," Adam Dolce, of Narragansett, Rhode Island, said.
When NBC Connecticut stopped by, just one dog, Woody, and six cats were still looking for new homes.
"We didn't really expect this much enthusiasm, crowds, it was awesome," Meda Talley, of Almost Home, said.
The shelter cleared by the end of the event. So did Ledyard Animal Control and Cats Tales in Middletown.
Humane societies, shelters, and rescues, are all coming together for NBC Connecticut's Clear the Shelters day.
"They want rescue dogs. The rescue dogs appreciate it," Talley said.
"It's a great experience and a great opportunity to get an animal," Moody said.
See how many pets were adopted out of shelters in our nationwide Clear the Shelters event:
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