The public and the media are invited to join the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (S.P.A.R.C.) for a special adoption event Saturday, July 23, in conjunction with local television stations seeking to “Clear the Shelters.”

The second annual “Clear the Shelters” event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday July 23. Many dogs and kittens will be available for adoption at the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, 705 E. Santa Barbara St. in Santa Paula. Media coverage is welcome.

S.P.A.R.C is especially seeking adopters looking for larger dogs, as well as adult cats and about 45 kittens. Adoptions for big dogs at the special $20 adoption fee will begin a week prior to the “Clear the Shelters” event, on July 16, to allow time for processing adoptions and doing necessary checks. All animals adopted are spayed, neutered, microchipped and have up-to-date vaccinations.

S.P.A.R.C. Spokeswoman Nicky Gore-Jones said the shelter has been inundated with big dogs recently, many of them pit bulls that are friendly and highly adoptable.

“We looking for adopters who understand that having a dog does require some effort in training and exercise and is a lifetime responsibility,” she said.

“When dogs arrive at S.P.A.R.C., scared and stressed, our goal is to help them through regular exercise, basic training and lots of love, so they can readjust and be ready to be adopted to their forever home. At S.P.A.R.C. we firmly believe that in order to have a well-balanced dog, it must feel like a member of the family.”

As part of the No Kill, No Excuses mission, S.P.A.R.C. also offers low-cost spay and neuter services to the public for their current pets at only $10 per animal, in an attempt to stem the flow of animals into the shelter in the future.

“Clear the Shelters” is being held at 55 animal shelters throughout Southern California in conjunction with NBC 4, KNBC and Telemundo 52. The national pet adoption drive is being organized by NBCUniversal-owned TV stations to raise awareness about the overpopulation of local animal shelters and to encourage people to adopt shelter pets. Participating shelters, including S.P.A.R.C., will offer a reduced adoption fee of just $20 per animal (if the application is approved). In 2015, 20,000 animals were adopted nationwide through this event nationwide.

“This initiative offers the community an opportunity to welcome a new addition to the family and be part of a national day of action,” said Telemundo 52 Los Angeles President and General Manager Celia Chavez.

S.P.A.R.C. is a private, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter in Ventura County. SPARC is a place where homeless animals are brought for humane care without risk of being killed due to lack of space, illness or injury. S.P.A.R.C. relies solely on private donations. Visit http://www.santapaulaarc.org or call the shelter at (805) 525-8609.

To learn more about “Clear the Shelters” and locate other participating shelters, visit nbcla.com/cleartheshelters or telemundo52.com/desocuparlosalbergues. The public is encouraged to follow the effort and post pet photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with hashtag #ClearTheShelters @NBCLA and #DesocuparLosAlbergues @Telemundo52.