Adopting a pet is an important decision and it shouldn't be something you rush into. But it's so rewarding. After all, you're saving more than one life — by taking an animal home, you're not only giving them a second chance at life but you're also freeing up space so the rescue organization can help another critter.
According to some estimates, around 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 810,000 are returned to their owners, 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted, and 920,000 are euthanized.
It's worth mentioning that the number of dogs and cats euthanized in American shelters annually has declined from roughly 2.6 million in 2011 but I think we agree it should be even lower. Way, way lower.
Each month, we at Bored Panda accentuate the difference a loving family makes for an abandoned or mistreated animal by celebrating the ones that opened their doors and hearts to those who needed love and care the most. Continue scrolling to check out September's edition and catch up on the series if you've fallen behind: August, July, June.
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This Old Boy Thinks We Adopted The New Kitten Just For Him
I Just Adopted This Senior Lady! She's The First Cat I've Ever Had And She's Also The Sweetest One I've Ever Known. Senior Cat Appreciation!
I adopted a 11 yr old Sr. kitty a year ago...Mr. Stitch! Best decision ever!!!
I inherited a friend’s old cat when she and the new kitten didn’t get along...she was 12 at the time and she lived nearly seven more years. She was the sweetest kitty I’ve ever known. Enjoy your old “baby”.
Load More Replies...My last cat was a senior cat given to me by friends who had just recently adopted a kitten and it was so intensely wonderful I vowed it would be only senior cats from now on.
It's important to understand that not only animals but their rescuers are facing tough times as well. Earlier this month, National Geographic ran an article called 'Why animal shelters are facing a new crisis'. Among many things, it said that "many shelters helping dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets in need have been hurt by staffing shortages—resulting in reduced operations." To find out more about it, we reached out to Animal Humane Society (AHS), an organization that provides direct care and services to help nearly 100,000 animals in need across Minnesota.
"Staffing shortages have been a challenge for [us] as well," Sarah Bhimani, Internal Communications and Content Producer at Animal Humane Society, told Bored Panda. "We're still able to provide care and services for animals and our community; our staffing challenges have placed additional stress on our existing teams."
My Teenager Lost Her Beloved 13-Year Old Ginger Rescue Kitty Last Year To Cancer. We Recently Adopted A 3-Year Old Creamsicle. I Think They’re Both Gonna Be Just Fine
Today We Adopted This Gorgeous Little Hedgehog
Correction: they shouldn't be, but pet stores sell them so now they are pets. This one is a rescue so it has to be a pet forever now.,
Load More Replies...He is so very very cute!!! I have a dog and and would love another animal however the hedgehog I’m afraid would not be a good idea as my dog would hurt/kill it. But what a sweetheart❤️❤️❤️
To account for fewer staff, Bhimani said they've "had to decrease the number of veterinary appointments and surrender appointments we can offer the community each day, and we've had to decrease the number of animals we're transporting from partners in other parts of the country to our shelters in Minnesota. We're prioritizing the needs of local animals first. Right now, the current wait time for non-emergency surrender appointments may be as long as eight weeks."
Human resources aside, shelters and other animal protection organizations are experiencing other problems, too. "Another issue is the lack of low-cost vet care options for our communities. Animal Humane Society vet centers are currently booking out three to four weeks in advance and when released, available appointments are booked within minutes."
Left Was From 5 Days Ago Before I Adopted Him. Right Was Earlier Today. I Am So Lucky I Adopted Him, He’s The Sweetest Most Caring Cat And I’m Thankful To Have Him
That look of sadness and misery turning into one of love and deep affection... congratulations on rescuing this gorgeous gentleman.
Who says animals don't have feelings? What a difference in just a few days.
Load More Replies...His eyes had no hope in him. He looked so sad! Now he looks content, relaxed and, all scrubbed up, he DOES look like a "gorgeous gentleman."
Originally Was Going To Adopt 2 Of These Guys. Turns Out Three Times The Charm. We Got All The Siblings Together! They’re Super Close And We Didn’t Want To Leave The Sister Out
We were going to get another a kitten to join our other 4 cats. Speaking to rescues and getting the ball rolling when my mum turned up to work on a Monday morning and finds two 7-8 week old kittens in a box in the drive way (it's a school?!) They are feral and we're having to handle them lots everyday, but in 12 days they've stopped growling and biting/ scratching and have started to purr! Looks like the universe wanted 6 cats not 5!
I have 6 cats, the more the merrier! One was a rescue and 3 are her babies because she was supposedly fixed and turns out she was not. We decided to just keep the babies since they were all females and just got our male cat fixed first. Now mama is fixed too and the babies will be when they are old enough!
The three stooges just waiting to take over your home and life 😊. Kudos for adopting!
The one in front like like they’re just trying to figure you out. Like “Hmmmm. Friend or foe?”
Katara - Purebred Mutt, Rescued And Adopted In Montreal. Of Course, We’re The Lucky Ones
Katara has astounding eyes! you are indeed lucky to have such an amazing blessing!
Now you have to adopt three more dogs. Can't have a Katara without an Aang, Sokka and Toph.
As you probably already understood, animal sheltering isn't an individual task — it's a network. And the better the community runs, the more they can do together.
"Another issue is a lack of foster families willing to take large dogs," Bhimani added. "At AHS, we have lots of families who regularly foster cats, small dogs, and critters (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc), but it's a lot harder to find people who are able to open their homes to a large dog foster that's recovering from surgery, requires medication, etc."
Our 2 Newly Adopted Kittens
Adopted My First Void This Week, Isn’t She A Beaut?
My New Cat’s Reaction To Her Forever Home
"I'm not a fan of the wallpaper, that sofa is hideous, and there's a distinct whiff of dog in the air. But I can live with it"
She's not sure yet "looks nice but might be a trap or only temporary" - I'm looking forward to the day when she realizes she's home now...
Load More Replies..."Hey! What's this place? I haven't seen anything like this before. One thing's for sure, it beats all the other places I've been! hmmmm..."
Remember that you don't have to adopt a pet to help the cause. "Help your local animal shelter promote their open positions, whether that's by sharing employment opportunities with your friends and family, or using your social media to amplify posts from your local shelter," Bhimani encouraged everyone who want to contribute.
"Animal shelters are also always in need of donations, whether they're financial or in supplies. If you have a pet, be sure to plan ahead for preventative vet care and schedule your appointment months in advance. And always be kind to veterinary and animal shelter staff — their work is physically and emotionally difficult! Being patient and saying thank you goes a long way."
Myself (Middle) My Brother (Left) And My Best Friend (Right) With Our Puppy Siblings We Just Adopted
Many joyous years of playing together ahead. And for the puppies too.
Just like my family. My parents adopted one puppy, my brother adopted another, and their friend adopted a third. Plus, my other brother had their "Aunt"(the puppies' mom's sister). They hung out and played with each other all the time.
This Is Hank. He A Stray I’m Caring For. He Slept Where My Husky Used To Sleep And Gave Me The Same Look My Husky Had, And I Think He’s Gonna Be Mine Now
That is such an amazing thing to say. It made me cry.
Load More Replies...Yes yes yes! Your Husky most CERTAINLY connected you both, just as my son's Husky picked him when we went to the SPCA 2 yrs ago bc my kid was having a tough day. He just wanted to be around dogs and visit. When he told them he wanted to see BALTO who just came in at 11 months old and TERRIFIED of the world from an old town Elko, NV, and they told him, we'll try to bring him in but he doesn't trust anyone. Period. My kid lost his Buster after growing up together, 5 weeks and 5 yrs old. Together 14 yrs. He was NEVER getting another dog. EVER. Then they opened the door. BALTO had his head down, ears back, tail between his legs, shaking like he was in ICE. Took one look at my now adult son sitting on the floor, ran RIGHT UP TO HIM, SAT DOWN AND PUT HIS PAW ON NICK'S LEG ALMOST TO SAY, I'm scared too but we can make each other feel better. The SPCA girl CRIED. I CRIED. BALTO just picked his new Dad. I took a photo AT THAT VERY SECOND, email me if anyone wants to see it, I LOVE this story 🥰 dburns@chaseinternational.com and now, Balto is my son's glue. They saved each other that day, and BUSTER sent BALTO TO NICK to be happy again 😭🙏 so. Yes.you got this one for a higher reason 🥰
yknow sometimes i think "maybe reincarnation does exist, in some form" this is one of those moments
How To Adopt A Hooman
That's how it works...my roommates rescued Ziggy 13 years ago, and has been a raging jerk since he was a baby...I moved in almost three years ago with no cat, and guess who decided I was his chosen hooman?
Load More Replies...Would I get in trouble for making a joke about the person who ruled Germany in the 30's?
Are Blind, 9 Year Old, Recently Adopted Boys Cute? I Sure Think So
I miss my old girl - she was blind but my beautiful best friend.
Load More Replies...Bless your heart for adopting him!!! He looks very pleased and happy you did.
Oh! That’s so wonderful! What a beautiful dog and so very lucky he found someone with a big heart!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Are you kidding me!! This dog is amazing and looks like a sweetheart !!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Adopted four old deaf-blind dogs in a row. All wonderful! Congratulations!!!
Just Adopted These Two Sweet Brothers. Our 2.5 Year Old Son Chose The Names... Meet T-Rex And Cardboard
Imagine if they're allowed outside and you're calling 'cardboard!!!!' lol hilarious name!
Cardboard 🤣 TRex 🤣 AMAZINGLY UNIQUE 🥰 I thought I took the prize when my son named his 1st let's try out a small animal before we move on to dogs and cats and at the ripe old age of 3 he names his 🐹 hamster: Boy 👍
My 2 year old son named his cat Thunderbolt Buster. She lived and was loved her for 18 years.
Just Adopted A 13 Week Old Kitten, And His Big Brother (3 Year Old Golden) Is Taking His New Role Very Seriously
Adopted These Two, Meeting Them On Thursday For The First Time
Void and Smoke. Wow that grey one has the stare down game on point!
Load More Replies...My Newly Adopted Boy Angus Looking Quite Dapper!
I absolutely love his name. He looks like an Angus.Does he bark with a Scottish accent?
Friend Asked If I Could Adopt A Stray, But My Dog Ended Up Doing The Adopting
The look on that kittens face...."With the fur-beast under my control no one can defeat my master plan of household dominance...muah hahahaha"
I Still Can't Believe I Was Lucky Enough To Be The One To Adopt Her
That facial expression looks like its seen things that should never have been seen, and will thankfully never see again.
Drove Five Hours To Adopt This Sweet Girl, Mocha. She Was Saved From Being Thrown Out Of A Moving Car. She Is The Most Gentle And Affectionate Little Girl And Will Be So Loved!
How can humans be so cruel to chuck a defensiveless animal out of a moving vehicle?! I'm glad she has found her safe forever home
That was not a human who would do that, but some aberrant species.
Load More Replies...Someone did the same to my old family dog. She was chucked out of car onto a busy road when she was just a few months old. Luckily my uncle was walking his own dog and rescued her. We had her for 10 years and she was the best girl!
Oh! Bless you! People are terrible and NO animals deserves such cruelty! People like that should be prosecuted !! Bless you and her!! You saved her life and she is blessed to have you!!😍😍😍
I ended up with a ferret that had been thrown out of a moving car in a carrier. We think he had been used for fighting. Nub tail and mean. Got him neutered and he turned into the biggest squish. He was a love, miss that boy.
Poe & Kylo First Day Of Kylo’s Adoption vs. One Week After Adoption
Adopted A Pupper, She Mlems When She’s Asleep
Adopted My Boy And My Cat Finally Accepted Him. Can You Tell That He’s Happy?
Cat: All right then, let's NOT get too enthusiastic...I said you can share the space. But stay on your side, understand?
More like... Cat: damn, I give up. Dog: you wuv me, you weely wuv me!
In A Span Of Two Days We Adopted This Baby And Got Engaged
Priorities: 1. Adopt kitten 2. Engage. They got their priorities in the right order.
Congratulations!! I hope you all have a beautiful, blessed, joyful life together! ❤️
we are siamese if you pleaseeee... we are siamese if you dont please.....
I meant a pet with a ring…. Not the type of ring.
Load More Replies...Meet Pearl, We Just Adopted Her
Look At This Perfect Little Bean I Just Adopted
Staffies are the huggiest derpy lovely wiggle-butts!
Load More Replies..."I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!"
Load More Replies...Adopted A Kitten Today! Her Name Is Loki, She Is Super Scared, But Too Cute
Give her lots of space and she'll come round, you'll find she starts exploring at night to get her head around where she is and when she feels confident she'll come out in the day. She'll come round in a day or two!
Just Adopted. Her Name Is Minette
Pretty name, do you all know the 60´s song "Mademoiselle Minette"???
When We First Adopted Our Dog A Few Weeks Ago vs. Today. He A Thick Boy Now!
This Is Henry, The Newest Member Of Our Family
Henry just cannot understand why you are taking a picture before giving him his treats
He knows exactly what's going on and you'd best pay attention, and he adorable.
Went To Adopt One Cat, Came Out With Bonded Sisters
Nothing like a bonded pair! They are beautiful!!! Thanks for adopting❤️❤️❤️
The calico looks like my kitty that we lost 4 months ago and I miss her terribly
Sisters are so great together. They will never have to look for a playmate....
Found This Little Girl On The Street And We Are Adopting Her. Her Hair Is All Matted And She Has Some Skin Issues And I Look Forward To Posting Her Transformation Pictures. Does She Look Like A Jenny Or Millie?
My Feral Baby I Adopted From My Backyard
adopted this feral stray from down the street. lady-1-615...de91e8.jpg
A feral Russian Blue kitty??? So once more a proof that being purebred doesn´t mean you can´t end up on the streets as cat or dog... Eventually she had a home once, but had made a traumatic experience there and that´s why she behaved like a feral cat.
This Is The Fourth Stray Kitten I Find Near My House. They Keep Coming And I Keep Adopting Them. Am I Cursed?
You're THE CHOSEN ONE. Do you know how many people who would give their right arm for that position?
I for sure would give my arm to be the Chosen One
Load More Replies...The word is spreading in the neighborhood. "Cat lady on 4th street!!!"
Illegaly Smol Cat That Adopted Us Yesterday
Doctor Doom Enjoying Her First Nap In Her Forever Home After Her Stint At The Shelter
Whoever said cats are aloof should see this. So peaceful and happy. Gorgeous markings too.
I feel it's because those people judge cats by a dog's standards. Some cats tend to be reserved or have trust issues, but we all know how lovely beans they really are when they finally trust you and cuddle up to you!
Load More Replies...This cat is sooo content!! Bless you for adopting and your cat is gorgeous!!!❤️
Adopted This Little Guy The Other Day, He’s A Complete Sweetheart
They absolutely are, but this is definitely not a rat!
Load More Replies...What amazing colors. I had pet hamsters my entire childhood. I never saw one with these markings. He looks like he's a big boy too.
Just Adopted This Big Baby, My Very First Standard Issue Cat. He Even Came Pre-Derpped!
Just Adopted Her And I Think She’s Fitting Right In
Just Got Her, Need Help Finding A Name. I Like Mushroom, But My Mom Doesn't
Our rescue kitty is named Shiitake Mushroom, but we call him Mooshie for short. LOL My friend told me her Oma's nickname from her Opa is the same pronunciation. Apparently, "muuschie" (I don't know how to spell it in German...) is a term of endearment that also means "kitty." Or something like that....(They're from Germany, so I took her word for it.)
Load More Replies...Truffle. It's a kind of mushroom that lives underground and costs a lot of money.
I’m So Glad We Adopted Them Together
If you find kitties who are family or best frens, just understand you're taking all of them home. They're like potato chips. You can't have just one.
There is nothing like a bonded pair!! They are gorgeous! Thanks for adopting!!🥰🥰
My Cousin Just Adopted This Little Pup. Meet Lulu!
“Little Lulu says, when the sun is out make hay”. Sorry, old cartoon reference…
We Adopted Nala!
Haha that’s the same goofy, excited face my pups give when I take a photo “puppy, look!” Pup: *derp*
Aw!! Nala just loves you!!! She has such a sweet face and thanks for adopting!!! ❤️❤️❤️
She's a big girl...and a happy girl!!! She adopted you guys for sure.
We Adopted This Lil Guy Yesterday & He Gives Me The Warmest Fuzzies. Home At Last!
When they finally sleep that soundly, and don’t pop up at the slightest sound or movement, you can rest easy, knowing they’re finally feeling safe, secure, loved, and home.
He is right at home! What a handsome face!!! Thanks for adopting. ❤️❤️
Adopted Her On Sunday From A Hectic Household. This Is Us After An Hour In Her Forever Home
Doggo can finally feel relaxed enough to nap quietly without the hurly burly!
Adopted Him Today, He Loves Cuddling
Whoever keeps saying that cats aren’t affectionate is so wrong. Just look at this baby
People are just judgey and stupid. As if loving a cat makes you less of a person.
Load More Replies...This Is Beowulf. Turns Out Beowulf Is Actually A Girl And Now Needs A New Name. Any Ideas?
Keep the name :) My adopted kitty is a girl, too, but we still call her Zorro :)
Same with me! Mads turned out to be a girl... nobody cares :D
Load More Replies...Beawulf instead of Beowulf, maybe? “A” in the middle for the feminine, “O” in the middle for the masculine? Plus its pronunciation is virtually the same. Easy transition.
It might not matter. What you name her and what she answers to might be two different things. She will let you know what her name is.
LOL my girl is named Molly, but she answers to "T-T or Dee-Dee"
Load More Replies...How about Ides? That's the reference to Grendel's Mother, Beowulf's opponent in the story.
She was not a good character was she? It's been quite a while since I read/studied the poem so my memory may be bad.
Load More Replies...Recently Adopted These Two Dingleberries. They’re Not Related But Get Along Quite Well
Took me a moment to realize there were actually two cats…they’ve merged
Meet Aspen. Just Adopted Her And She’s An Absolute Sweetheart
I have that same bed, but my Molly half-in lies in it with her feet and tail outside!
I’m amazed this sweet little thing didn’t get more comments!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Newly Adopted Kittens. Tom And Jerry
No worries... they'll slow down some in about five years. :D
Load More Replies...Cute Girl We Adopted... She Is Being A Little Sunshine In Our Lives
Adopted These Babies Yesterday, They Are Really Scared And Are Hiding In Their Cozy
Just Adopted This Little Buddy, Got Returned 2 Times, 3rd And Final Home Now! He Still Needs A Name!
We Have Adopted Our First Daughter Yesterday
She may look shy now, but she's show off her stripes on a Zoom call soon.
Name Suggestions For Our Newly Adopted Pup? As Well As Breed Guesses? He’s About 5 Months
He reminds me to Kromföhrländer Dogs - but maybe not enough Terriergenes.
Little bit of Australian Shepherd I think. Just a little, but I think it is there.
Meet My New 13 Day Old Pup. I Haven't Named Him Though. Suggestions Are Welcome. He's A Stray And I Adopt Strays
13 days is too young to be away from mum, unless he's an orphan or mum rejected him?
The owner corrected on reddit and said the puppy is 16-19 days old.
Load More Replies...Adopted A Cat Today
take the damn clothes off the cat. cats do not wear clothes. it's cruel.
Don't judge if you do not know the situation. Maybe she had an operation and wears the sweater in order to not mess with the stiches?
Load More Replies...Just Adopted This Precious Girl From A Family That Don't Want To Take Care Of Her. She's Supposedly 6 Months, But Shes Soooo Huge
Give her LOTS of space to exercise & I bet she'll drop the weight! My son's bunnies have out-lived their life expectancies because they get lots of active play time, have ramps for running etc. Enjoy!!
She's so cute! Hope she loses weight, that looks very unhealthy-she's bigger than an adult rabbit I think
Aw, I needed this. My seven year old rescue is dying from renal failure and we won’t be able to adopt any more cats when he goes because our other rescue (Samwise) is a very rambunctious (and very large) young tom. Edit: My beautiful Fern was put down at 5:25 pm. Rest In Peace, my toofy boi, my precious little brother.
So sorry for your loss. But maybe Samwise will miss his friend too, and need a new companion to help him cope with the loss and heal 😿
Load More Replies...Adorable furbabies, each of them, thanks Pandas for also having #AdoptDontShop as one of your (c)attitudes.
Aw, I needed this. My seven year old rescue is dying from renal failure and we won’t be able to adopt any more cats when he goes because our other rescue (Samwise) is a very rambunctious (and very large) young tom. Edit: My beautiful Fern was put down at 5:25 pm. Rest In Peace, my toofy boi, my precious little brother.
So sorry for your loss. But maybe Samwise will miss his friend too, and need a new companion to help him cope with the loss and heal 😿
Load More Replies...Adorable furbabies, each of them, thanks Pandas for also having #AdoptDontShop as one of your (c)attitudes.
