Michael Phelps Promotes Pet Adoption for 'Clear the Shelters' Campaign

TOWSON, MD — A familiar face is part of a national campaign for shelter pets.

Michael Phelps, a Rodgers Forge native and the most decorated Olympian of all time, is among those encouraging people to adopt animals this weekend during the "Clear the Shelters" program.

Phelps was one of a handful of Olympians featured in a People magazine photo shoot to encourage people to adopt pets from animal shelters on July 23. The pup pictured licking his face, along with all the dogs in the spread, was reportedly adopted.

The photo shoot was designed to spotlight NBC's upcoming Clear the Shelters day, a campaign to alleviate overcrowding during what is typically a busy season for shelters. The program—which involves local shelters waiving adoption fees—helped 19,000 pets get adopted into new homes last year during its inaugural run.

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Annually, more than 7 million animals enter shelters in the U.S., and of those, 31 percent of dogs are euthanized and 41 percent of cats are euthanized, according to the ASPCA.

Baltimore County Animal Services recently moved into an expanded shelter to accommodate the thousands of pets that end up there each year. To help clear the shelter, adoption fees will be waived on Saturday, July 23.

Normally, the adoption fee at the county-run shelter is $50 for dogs and $40 for cats, which includes spaying and neutering, vaccinations, license and microchip.

See the adoptable animals at Baltimore County Animal Services.

Baltimore County Animal Services is located at 13800 Manor Road, Baldwin. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, for Clear the Shelters day.

Photo of Michael Phelps by marcopako via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.