Ten lucky shelter dogs from Irving Animal Services in Texas experienced an unforgettable day at the ballpark after being invited to attend a Major League Baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers. The special outing was organized to celebrate the launch of Clear the Shelters, NBCUniversal Local’s annual nationwide pet adoption campaign, while giving the lovable canines extra exposure as they search for permanent families.
The dogs received complimentary tickets from the Rangers to attend the Aug. 4 game at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The matchup also coincided with the stadium’s popular “Bark in the Park” event, where fans were encouraged to bring their own dogs, creating the perfect atmosphere for adoptable pets to meet hundreds of animal lovers in one place.
Throughout the evening, the shelter dogs were treated like VIP guests. Along with enjoying the excitement of Major League Baseball, they sampled classic ballpark snacks, including hot dogs and French fries, while spending the day socializing with volunteers, shelter staff, and baseball fans. The relaxed and festive setting gave the dogs a rare opportunity to showcase their personalities outside the shelter environment, where potential adopters could see them at their happiest.
The event marked the beginning of Clear the Shelters Presented by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a month-long initiative that partners NBC- and Telemundo-owned television stations with hundreds of animal shelters and rescue organizations across the United States. The campaign encourages pet adoption while also raising donations for animal welfare organizations. Since its launch 12 years ago, the initiative has helped more than 1.3 million pets find loving homes, including approximately 160,000 adoptions in 2025 alone.
Irving Animal Services has participated in the campaign since its inception, making the shelter a natural choice for the baseball experience. Organizers hoped the outing would generate additional interest in the featured dogs and increase their chances of being adopted before the campaign concludes.
In addition to their day at the stadium, each of the 10 dogs received professional portrait sessions from Stronger Shot Adoption Photos, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving adoption outcomes through high-quality photography. Fresh, eye-catching photos often help shelter animals stand out online and can significantly increase adoption inquiries.
Adam Goldberg, founder of Stronger Shot Adoption Photos, said the goal was to give the dogs an enjoyable experience while helping them make a memorable first impression on prospective adopters. He explained that professional portraits often play a vital role in helping shelter pets connect with families searching for a new companion, and partnering with Clear the Shelters allows the organization to assist even more animals in need.
People interested in adopting one of the featured dogs can visit the Irving Animal Services website to learn more about each pet. Those living outside Texas are encouraged to participate by adopting from another shelter involved in the Clear the Shelters campaign, which includes hundreds of rescue organizations nationwide.
To further support new pet owners, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is providing adoption kits at select participating shelters. These welcome packages include starter bags of Hill’s Science Diet pet food, coupons, and additional supplies to help families and their newly adopted pets settle into their homes.
For animal lovers who are unable to adopt at this time, organizers encourage supporting the campaign through financial donations, helping shelters continue providing care and increasing opportunities for thousands of dogs and cats still waiting to find their forever homes.
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