Houstonians did their part on the national Clear the Shelters Day. More than 1,200 four-legged creatures found their forever homes.

“We have an invisibility crisis,” Harris County Public Health Executive Director Umair A. Shah said. “The work we do is behind the scenes and often forgotten … the testing of water, the restaurant inspections, the community vaccinations, spraying of mosquitoes … and so we have to engage with our community” to help them see what public health officials are doing to build trust for an emergency.

The Harris County Animal Shelter has over 400 animals in need of homes, and is offering fee-waived adoptions that include spay and neutering services, vaccines, microchipping and a one-year pet license, according to the shelter website.

Houston was just named the no. 35 most pet-friendly city in the United States, falling behind Austin at no. 4, according to a WalletHub report.

KPRC 2 is once again joining NBCUniversal's Clear the Shelters initiative and teaming up with Telemundo Houston and animal shelters in the Houston area to host the fourth annual Clear the Shelters on August 17.

Stewart Title Fine Properties, Kirby and Heights collected donations including eight large boxes of cat and dog food items to benefit the Harris County Animal Shelter. More than 15 cats and dogs were adopted and found safe and loving homes in the area.

"The cold and starving puppies were brought to Harris County Animal Shelter and will be placed in temporary cruelty foster,” said a Facebook post telling of the incident, which occurred in February.

Officials in our area want to remind you to take precautions during this summer heat.

Aug. 12, Get vaccinated: Children and adults can receive free immunizations from Harris County Public Health on a first-come, first-served basis at this event, so long as they meet certain eligibility requirements.

The Harris County Animal Shelter and Lone Star Animal Welfare League are teaming up to offer free microchipping through August.