Heartwarming Pet Adoption Moments That Touched Our Souls
It's no secret that this is a rough time for animal shelters. Whether it's the result of pets people thought they needed in 2020 or just a series of unfortunate and interconnecting circumstances, many are left caring for more animals than they can comfortably support.
This makes the intervention of caring everyday citizens so important, as vulnerable little bundles of love can go from overworked employees and volunteers to stable, nurturing homes. And each time someone takes on that beautiful responsibility, their tales of unexpected love and the utterly adorable photos that result never fail to warm hearts.
They had a long, hard road to get here
When Reddit user Ok_Eye9841 brought their two lovely rescue dogs home, they were stunned to see how awful the dogs' lives were before they were rescued. The uploader said it particularly broke their heart to see the dogs fail to recognize a bed, a couch, or even the home itself.
However, it seems they've had enough time since their adoption to get used to a healthier standard of living, and the best reminders come when they fall asleep together. As Ok_Eye9841 wrote, "Now as King and Queen of the house, they love to cozy up together, and we love knowing they're happy and safe."
It's going to take a little adjustment
By the time this photo was taken, this little cat was recently adopted. For that reason, Reddit user SeniorConcentr wasn't sure what to make of the fact that it yelled at them every time they took a shower.
Although that was likely a little annoying to deal with, it's hard not to be charmed by the reason why. When cats love someone, they want them to stay dry. For that reason, cats who take it way too seriously when their owners get wet are affectionately called "lifeguard kitties."
She's still so happy about her adoption
In a viral video, this dog's owner shared her progress seven months after her adoption. And it seems that it would be a massive understatement to say that she's enjoying her new home. As the owner explained, that's because she's been constantly wagging her tail ever since she arrived.
This has obviously been true whenever the dog sees her new family, but she also keeps it wagging while eating and in some cases, even while sleeping. As the owner put it, "I think it's safe to say she's a very happy girl."
A big moment for a precious girl
In footage uploaded by Reddit user RobakinSkywalker1, a woman explained that this dog had been through four other families before she came to this one. In all likelihood, that's why she's so endlessly curious and affectionate through this video.
When it was shot, this sweet girl had confirmation that there wouldn't be a sixth home and that she was there to stay. That's because she got her first bed. As we can see here, it didn't take long before she got comfortable in it. It's about time she found out how that kind of comfort feels.
It's been seven lovely years
When Reddit user Gracezf adopted this cat seven years ago, it was a timid little kitten. When the little guy looked up at his camera, he seemed a little curious but also pretty fearful of the big world around him.
However, the second picture shows how much more confident in the time since. And considering the lovely oil painting that Gracezf apparently made for him in more recent times, that cat is also going to have a pretty healthy self-image.
That's such sweet spontaneity
This photo captures a big, goofy dog and the rocking wild man who recently adopted it. From the sounds of things, this came as a big, fluffy surprise to everyone else in the man's life, too. Did he even expect to find such a perfect match?
Whether he did or not, he was certainly proud because all of his friends received this endearing picture captioned with "Adopted a dog yesterday." And the best part is that these friends didn't even know about each other, as one excitedly wrote, "I know that hairy doofus! (The human, not the dog)," when the photo found its way to Reddit.
This is someone else's adoption story to tell
When Reddit user surprisingsocks posted this heartwarming picture of a cat sleeping on his wife's shoulder, he said, "Someone please adopt this boy before I foster fail him." Immediately, commenters tried to tempt him into doing exactly that, saying that this was too adorable to see it as anything other than the cat choosing his family.
However, it seems he didn't give in to temptation and passed this cuddly cat onto his forever home. After all, he would probably be among the man's other pets in photos posted since that day if he didn't. Hopefully, whoever adopted him is just as comfy to nap on.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go
Reddit user hatsofftopups wanted to introduce the world to this big sweetheart named Rowdy. As far as their original plan went, the uploader was supposed to provide a foster home for the dog until it could find a suitable family.
However, it's common for those who foster pets to "foster fail," as it's affectionately called. That means that the foster carer can't resist permanently adopting a pet in their care. In many cases, it's the best kind of failure one can have, and Rowdy's story is no exception.
This feels as heartwarming as it looks
Reddit user kittywenham posted a short video of her newly adopted rabbit climbing on her before flopping down and lying on her chest. Her facial expressions made it clear that it was one of the cutest and sweetest things ever, but she was amazed that it happened just 24 hours after she adopted the bunny.
Indeed, commenters were just as amazed and impressed by how sweet, gentle, and comforting her presence must be. After all, the only way a healthy rabbit is ever going to flop down on someone like that is if they're confident that it's safe to do so. It's rare for one to feel that comfortable after only a day.
Somebody pranked their fellow animal lovers well!
One day, Reddit user brandontaylor1 announced to the world that he'd be adopting a bear. To keep up the ruse, he said that this sweet girl was of an unknown breed but probably an American black bear. Surprisingly, only a couple of people fell for it.
After all, brandontaylor1 explained, "I don't think shelters adopt bears, but I will have to find a new apartment if she gets over 450lbs." Yes, it turns out she's actually a dog that only looks like a bear. He was still leaning towards the name Cubbi for her, though.
Protect them both at all costs!
As as Imgur user named MaggieTheMoggy explained, her husband wasn't allowed to have any pets growing up. This is something that he must have always felt he missed out on because she had a little surprise waiting for him when they moved.
Not only did she get her husband a kitten, but she got him the most adorably small and curious little kitty the world has ever seen. Although he would likely treat any pet like it was as precious as gold after his childhood, there's no other way to treat this fragile little creature.
Good luck looking at this without falling in love
This unbearably adorable little fellow is named Milo, and by the time Reddit user NeumocortPlus adopted him, he was only two months old. Naturally, they already loved him dearly after only a week of him living under their roof.
Although the uploader isn't sure what breed he is, they were able to see his parents. Unsurprisingly, they were also small and cute dogs, but he's the cutest yet in his bloodline. Well-wishers will also be glad to know that Mila is happy essentially all of the time.
He was powerless to resist this little kitty
As Reddit user ReasonaeAgency explained, their partner was pretty firm on not wanting to get a cat. Of course, as anyone with a grumpy parent who was adamant about the same thing knows, it's common for that tough front to melt away when they actually meet the little one.
Predictably, that's exactly what happened when this stray cat decided it was a member of their family. As if the man's body language didn't make it clear enough, the uploader said he fell in love quickly. The cat isn't as grumpy as it looks, either.
They rescued him after he rescued them
When Reddit user AccomplishedChip8054 met Thor and Clause here, neither of them was particularly adoptable. Thor growled at everyone unfamiliar, while Clause was the dirtiest and smelliest dog in the whole shelter.
But while it took some patience on the man's part (and a shave of Clause's neglected fur), he described both dogs as "well behaved, beautiful, healthy, loving and loyal." In return, they've become the reason AccomplishedChip8054 gets out of bed every morning after his and his wife's recent separation.
The exact thing everyone wants to see after an adoption
Whenever a pet is adopted, it's often hard not to wonder what that animal had to deal with before the came into their new family's lives. Although shelter workers can sometimes fill in that information, it's not uncommon for them not to know either. And that goes double when an older animal like this 11-year-old cat is involved.
But whatever the cat had to live through before, this picture makes it abundantly clear that life after its adoption from a Chicago shelter will be full of love and comfort. After Reddit user tiffanymcclure's 13-year-old daughter got home from camp, she instantly fell in love. This won't be the last time they sleep like this.
It's impossible to get a warmer welcome
As Reddit user zozozkittykat told it, one of their cats started as a stray. When their family discovered the poor little kitty, it was crying outside and clearly feeling lonely and vulnerable. However, it would never need to feel that alone again.
As this incredibly sweet photo proves, that began on day one because their cat pulled the scared little stray into this adorable cuddle. That was risky because it's never clear what diseases a stray might have, but this one is now as happy as it is healthy.
Nobody has to guess this cat's personality
Some cats give off a regal vibe that makes it look like they think they're smarter and more sophisticated than their owners. However, others can not make that façade last even before they start moving. For cats like this, it looks like there's nary a thought behind their eyes.
As cute as it is, that is definitely true of this cat. And as Reddit user OfficiallyRobsust described, this is not a case where looks can be deceiving. As they put it, "We adopted this goofball a couple of months ago, brain not included."
A powerful and life-affirming transformation
According to Reddit user PekDeek, he happened upon this cat when it was at its worst. Although he didn't get specific about how long ago that was or what was wrong with the poor creature, the lifesaving impact he's made has been obvious.
And as he told it, the cat understands that he saved it from malnutrition and the other illnesses that plagued it. After he saved the kitty, he adopted it and now considers the loving little fuzzball his son.
The most adorable and comfortable pillow
When Reddit user meatmcguffin posted this adorable photo, it came with an even cuter explanation. The larger sleeping dog is Pixel, and the white one sleeping on him is his newly adopted sister, Toast.
Commenters mentioned how impressed they were at Toast's level of comfort with a dog in her new home, but the uploader said things didn't start out that way. In their words, "For the first week, Toast kept a bit of a distance, but then she started creeping closer and closer and well... Pixel's now her pillow!"
What a striking and mysterious dog
All we know about Sunny here is that the dog was adopted by Reddit user CauliflowerSushi's in-laws. It's unclear if the dog's eyes are like that due to trauma or simple heterochromia, but it's likely genetic since the source of the eye color difference would have been worth mentioning if it wasn't.
However Sunny came by those eyes, they certainly give the dog an interesting and distinguished look. It's also clear that the trip to its new home was a tiring one because it seems like one of the first things Sunny did was pass out on this couch.
This is how everyone wants their pets to get along
Nobody ever knows how their pet will react to a new one joining the family, but there's likely hope in the back of their minds that it'll look something like this. However, the main reason these two cats became this close is that they once only had each other.
As it turns out, they're siblings and the shelter was insistent that they had to be adopted together. Since they literally sleep like this every time, it is easy to see how inseparable they are. They must have helped each other through so much.
Everyone instantly wants to snuggle with this sweetie
Although this is clearly a beautiful little dog, what made people instantly fall in love with her was her timid personality. Just be looking at her, they could tell that she's an incredibly sweet and polite girl.
They also figured she looked pretty scared, so they expressed hope that's she's getting a lot of gentle affection in her new home. Of course, her new owners loved her from day one, so it doesn't look like anyone needs to worry about that. By the way, her name is Snowflake.
Merlin has a little stepdaughter now
When Reddit user SaraKidman shared the new kitten she had just adopted, she likely expected everyone to fall in love right away. With its small, fragile nature and that lovely little pink nose, she had every reason to think people would melt at the sight of her.
However, the question on her mind was how well her cat Merlin would take to the little one. To her delight, he accepted the kitten like she was his own little baby. Apparently, that's common for male cats.
Hopefully, this moment was just the beginning
Although most people who adopt pets will take a photo of them after that happens, this man was jumping the gun a little bit. When Reddit user ecctt2000 posted this sweet photo, he wrote, "Hoping to adopt this little lady."
Immediately, that desire made sense. People couldn't stop commenting on how beautiful and full of love she looked, which led some to ask if he could take her home impatiently. As he responded, "The adoption location takes about two weeks to make a decision."
This little guy is definitely welcome home
This little doggie's name is Leo, and when this photo was taken, Reddit user Jhm09c had recently adopted him. Unfortunately, they didn't share much about Leo besides his name, which means that there aren't any details about how they met and that adoption went down.
Considering how unbearably cute Leo is, that story probably would have only added to the warm-fuzzy feelings here. Still, little Leo is cute enough to let his eyes and that adorable outfit do all the talking for him.
It looks like the adoption went well
As Reddit user LambaPseudosopher explained, this was how it looked in the car after she adopted her new dog. From this picture alone, it's obvious that she's already getting along famously with him. It's the first of a lot of sweet moments between them.
Although she was playing it cool behind her sunglasses, that little smile told everyone exactly what they needed to know. As for the dog, the fact that he's already got his head on her shoulder shows she's made a powerful impression on him. That's some serious comfort.
By the time she woke up, she had a name
When Reddit user joplinj1 posted this adorable photo of their sweet little adopted kitten, it likely didn't come as a surprise to see everyone instantly fall in love with her. However, they may not have expected to see the kitten come away with a name after their post.
Apparently, discussions on their post led them to mine their love of classic stories of the Old West and call the cat Calamity Jane. Apparently, little Calamity started trying to type their messages for them when they decided this. It's like she's already full-grown!
She's just as happy and playful as she looks!
According to Reddit user fupayme411, this is Belle! She's an 11-week-old golden doodle that the uploader had just finished adopting at the time of their post. And her attitude matches her loveliness, as the Redditor described her as the sweetest dog since she's been brought home.
However, it seems that not everyone feels that way. That's because there's also a ten-year-old Shih Tzu in the house, who is not at all pleased about its new roommate. As the uploader said, "Hoping that one day they will become BFFs."
She's wearing that with surprising grace
As Reddit user AllenDurwood wrote when he posted this photo, "I thought I adopted a dog, but evidently I adopted a model." After all, she seemed to pose with this blanket he wrapped around her rather than curl into it like other animals would do.
Apparently, her name is Luna, and she's wearing this because she started shivering after the uploader took her to an outdoor hockey game. After he wrapped her up, the Redditor thought she looked like a substitute art teacher.
These happy little fellows found the right opportunity
As Reddit user ChampionshipLeft603 explained, five of their six dogs were adopted from shelters. Although they didn't say which of these little ones was Homie and which one was Tegan, it was clear that they were among the rescues.
They also explained that they used to work at a shelter and adopted all of their rescues from their job. They also had a tip for those looking for new adoptees of their own. In their words, "Go to the shelter, do a walk-through. Staff members are always moving dogs (small, medium, to large) from the back to the adoption floor."