adoption
Our guide to animal adoption; learn why, where, and how to prepare to adopt a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue group.
When a Rescue Animal Chooses You
I’m a firm believer that rescue animals make the best companions animals. There’s some debate as to how much cognition cats and dogs actually have. However, rescue animals seem to realize how awful their lives once were versus how good their lives are once they’ve found a loving home.
By Matthew B. Johnson4 years ago in Petlife
Heart warming dog adopting.
When we made the decision to move to the suburbs, we knew the extra space would allow us the opportunity to open our home to another dog in need. After some searching, I came across Cooper on Susie Senior Dogs’ Instagram. The post said that Cooper’s owner had died when he was 4 years old, he was now 10 and had been in the shelter for SIX years. At first glance, Cooper was a shy dog, he would rather be in the safety of his kennel than meet new people. This caused him to be overlooked again and again. However, from the photos, you could see a kindness in his eyes; this struck a chord with me. I think anyone who has ever been criticized for being shy can relate, sometimes you just need someone to believe in you and we were going to be that for Cooper.
By Shawn Corley4 years ago in Petlife
Simba and Binx
My wife and I have two cats, Simba and Binx. I got Simba about five years ago, a mewing little fur ball that was malnourished. Simba started affectionate towards people but as he grew older he became more and more distrustful of strangers. I attribute that to how his life started and could very well have ended, but I can't say for sure. When I picked up Simba to take home, I was watching my sister's cat Ninja. Ninja was a big black cat, very affectionate, and wasn't bothered by Simba as I was expecting but he did try sniffing Simba at first. Simba put up with it until he got to the base of his tail and then he turned around and “slapped” Ninja in the face. The look on both of their faces cracked me up so hard! Ninja and this tiny brown and black striped kitten competed for my lap too, they both wanted my full attention.
By Tiggerish Eeyore (Aaron Wood)4 years ago in Petlife
Poppy
I walked into a teeny-tiny, run-down animal shelter without a clue that I would walk out with my soulmate. Piles of papers and files stacked on the shelves behind the front desk, more files and papers piled high on the desk, a small bench in one corner, and peeling linoleum flooring greeted me as I ventured in. The older woman behind the desk greeted me and asked what I was looking for. I paused and asked if I could just take a look around. She waved me on. I wandered around the small square building, three rooms full of cats just… out, being cats, a couple rooms with puppies, then I wandered outside and walked a bit around the yard, finding some dogs in outdoor kennels.
By Davia Buchacher4 years ago in Petlife
Five Rescue Stories In One House
When my stepson was about six years old, he asked if we could go to the shelter and get a cat. That was in 2015. After looking around, my husband decided that it wasn't quite the right time, and I rather agreed with him. When we left the second shelter, my stepson had tears in his eyes. I tried to comfort him as best I could.
By Ashley McGee4 years ago in Petlife
Harvey
I can remember it like it was yesterday. If I close my eyes I can even still feel the cool late October air and hear the light rustling of leaves. I was sitting in the driveway of an old friends house, bundled up in my jacket but shivering because I was wearing shorts and trying to keep my legs warm as I sat legs crossed, deep in conversation with my childhood friend. I know that you were cold too, but I prefer to remember the story as this, you saw me shivering and so you crawled up into my lap to keep me warm. This small beat up ball of fur with gigantic green eyes and a purr box that sounded like a motor boat. I had no idea in that moment all that was to be in store for us. The joy, laughter and tears. They have all been worth it though. Every single step of the way.
By Michelle Paiva4 years ago in Petlife
Lola
In May of 2017, I was visiting with my daughter and we had just pulled up at the pet supermarket in town. As we got out of the car, we saw the animal control truck pull up and we both got excited, knowing we were going to be able to play with some puppies. We walked up and tried to get a sneak peek at the puppies that were being placed for adoption today when one of the workers opened a cage, revealing a scared brindle and white puppy. She looked to be around two to three months old and had the perfect puppy dog eyes as she locked eyes with me. The worker, I’m assuming sensed the connection between me and this puppy, picked up the puppy and put her in my arms.
By Heather Henkes4 years ago in Petlife
My Furever Baby
Let me just start by saying I am no stranger to pets. Growing up, my father always had a string of animals going through our house. We went through so many dogs it was insane. But he was never satisfied with only dogs. We had cats, iguanas, rabbits, birds, snakes, hamsters, turtles, and fish. We were very lucky children to be surrounded by so many different kinds of animals. It was amazing growing up the way I did, and it fed my love of animals today.
By Hannah Coltson 4 years ago in Petlife
