Joe Manganiello had never owned a pet as of roughly six years ago. Now, he’s hosting a special about animal adoption alongside his dog.
Manganiello will be joined by Bubbles, the actor’s Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix, as he hosts this year’s Clear The Shelters TV special.
The 30-minute special, which celebrates NBCUniversal Local’s annual pet adoption and donation campaign, premieres Friday night on NBC Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET. It can also be streamed live on NBC Miami’s FAST channel.
“Rescuing my dog, Bubbles, is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my entire life,” Manganiello said in a release about the special. “I hope people can feel my honest enthusiasm and that it encourages them to experience an ounce of what I have if they are in position to welcome a shelter pet into their lives.
“These animals have been abandoned and the shelters taking care of them need help. That’s why I’m proud to participate in Clear The Shelters to help promote pet adoption and raise funds to help shelters operate.”
Manganiello shares a heart-warming adoption story with Bubbles, and the special will spotlight several different animal rescue heroes. That includes an animal sanctuary founder “who helps dogs become unstoppable,” a man who’s “on a mission to provide for the pets of people experiencing homelessness” and a foster mom “who never gives up on challenging pups,” a release said.
Clear The Shelters this month is holding its 11th annual adoption campaign. An extended donation campaign that kicked off last month runs through Sept. 15.
Entering this year’s campaign, Clear The Shelters had driven close to 1.2 million pet adoptions and raised more than $5 million in donations for participating shelters and rescues.
Love Island USA star Leah Kateb teamed up with NBCUniversal Local’s annual Clear the Shelters initiative to visit a New York City shelter that gives animals at risk of euthanasia a second chance.
For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events and television programming, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com, and follow Clear The Shelters on social media:
