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49 Adopted Pets Who Brought Joy To Their New Owners

December 20, 2025

Nothing brightens up my day more than seeing my adorable cat curl up in my lap for a nap or run to the door to greet me when I get home from work. He might be a bit demanding when he’s hungry, and his teeth can be a little too sharp at times. But I wouldn’t trade that little guy for the world.

Adopting an animal into your family can simultaneously change your life and theirs. We all need love and companionship, even furry little creatures, and knowing that you saved a precious animal from a life in a cage is a great feeling. Below, you’ll find photos of some of the sweetest animals who have recently been adopted. These cuties have finally found their fur-ever homes, and they couldn’t be happier. Keep reading to find a conversation with Ivanka Patterson of Every Dog Matters EU, and be sure to upvote the pics that inspire you to adopt not shop!

Discover more in 50 Adopted Pets Who Brought Joy To Their New Owners And The Entire Internet This Month (February Edition)

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#1 I Adopted My Grandmother’s Cat When She Passed Away And We Are Both Adjusting To Life Without Her Together

To learn more about what it’s like to adopt a loving animal into your family, we reached out to Ivanka Patterson, director of Every Dog Matters EU. Ivanka was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain why it’s so important to adopt rather than shop our pets.

“A lot of dogs from breeders come from illegal puppy mills where the dogs and puppies are living in very poor conditions,” Ivanka shared. “Not knowing the origins of your bought pups hides the huge risk of getting an overbred pup which will have genetic health issues and a shorter life span.”

#2 My Husband And I Adopted This 10 Year Old Baby, Who Was Previously Returned To The Shelter For “Hiding Too Much”. Now I Can No Longer Use The Bathroom Unsupervised

#3 Missy’s Adoption Smile

“Shopping instead of adopting keeps this ugly business alive,” Ivanka continued. “The pros of adopting a dog are – you know the story and the health state of the dog you are adopting; you are giving a chance to an animal that, more often than not has not been treated well in life, to discover what real love and home mean; mixed breeds are much healthier.”

And when it comes to the benefits we can receive from adopting dogs, Ivanka says, “We believe there is a hidden superhero in each one of us. By adopting a rescue animal, this superhero comes to life, and the feeling of worthiness within oneself greatly improves one’s self-esteem.”

#4 Leonard The Cat With The Benign Tumors Nobody Wanted Was Adopted

#5 Please Don’t Overlook The Older Cats When Adopting

He found his home with me 2 hours ago. He’s an older cat who’s owners fell ill & could no longer care for him. When the volunteer told me he’s been there a long time & that they don’t get many calls about him, I knew I had to give him his forever home

#6 The Cds Wasn’t Working For Me, So I Went To The Shelter And Adopted The Oldest Cat There. Meet Cucumber

Meet Cucumber (named by my 7yo). He is a 10yo love bug.

“It has been scientifically proven that adopting a pet from a shelter makes people become more compassionate and responsible,” Ivanka added. “It has physical benefits as well, like spending time with one’s adopted animal normalizes blood pressure, reduces cortisol and helps overcome mental disorders like depression. And last but not least, all of the above makes us better people.”

#7 New Adopted Puppy Is A Bit Scared. Our Big Boy Has His Back, Turning Into A Helicopter Dad

#8 My Beautiful Street Kitties

#9 Titan Was Cleveland Animal Protective League’s Longest Resident (315 Days). He Was Adopted Yesterday

Unfortunately, not everyone understands how lovable and amazing rescue animals can be. So Ivanka wanted to set some of the common misconceptions about rescue dogs straight. First, she addressed the idea that an animal from a shelter will be aggressive and untrainable. “So not true. A dog’s behavior depends greatly on the conditions we put the dog in and on the way we interact with it,” Ivanka shared.

“Dogs need between 3 to 6 months in order to adjust to their new home. During this time the adopter MUST give the animal its space, be patient with it, and respect the dog’s willingness for privacy,” the expert says. “Having realistic expectations and patience is the key for a happy dog-human relationship.”

#10 My Dad’s Dog Adopted An Orange Boy

Tigger, showed up a few days before Christmas on my folks’ porch. Folks thought he might be a nearby farm cat, but he didn’t leave after a day and a half. Cruz, the dog, refused to eat his dinner in the second day and kept whining at the door. He didn’t go to his bowl till Tigger was let in. He then waited for Tigger to eat his full of his food before he finally ate. They’re now absolute best bros

#11 Adopted Rocco And She Said “Let’s Keep Him Forever And Ever And Ever”

#12 Just Adopted My Girl. She Was Found Starving And Pregnant On The Side Of The Road By A Sweet Couple Who Delivered Her Babes And Nursed Her Back To Health

Some people also assume that if they don’t get their dog as a puppy, it won’t be able to bond with them or be obedient. “Adopting a puppy is a lot of fun, but also a huge blank canvas one needs to put a lot of work into it,” Ivanka says. “Adopting an adult or senior dog has a lot of benefits, like the dog won’t go through the whole chewing on everything phase. It will [also] know super quickly that pottying is done only outside unless stressed or ill; there is no adult dog that likes to do their business where they live.”

#13 Adopted This 4 Month Old Girl Today

#14 Adopted A Stray Cat, His Name Is Bob

A neighbor said that his ex owner lives on our street and had kicked him out years ago, and he stayed wandering around on our street for years, sleeping under cars. I only began to notice him this last year. I thought he belonged to someone because he had a collar on.

He started coming up to us when we’d take our dog for a walk and he’d be the most loving and friendly cat. When I started petting him I felt the dirt on his fur and that’s when I realized he wasn’t being taken care of. He started coming to our door for food and started sleeping on our doorstep. Within a few days we took him to the vet, got him a check up and vaccines (vet says he’s 5-6yrs), bought him toys, bowls for food and water, litter box, a soft bed (even though he sleeps on our bed), and we ripped the dirty collar off him, gave him a shower.

He loves to cuddle. He used to be so skinny, now he never misses a meal and comes to the kitchen and waits.

#15 I Just Adopted This Girl From An Elderly Couple

This is an 11 year old female red foot. Shell length of 15″.

“And most important of all – you will already know the character of the dog and what to expect from it,” Ivanka continued. “Choosing a dog whose temperament fits the adopter’s energy and lifestyle is the most important part of the adoption for it to be a happy one for all sides. Adult and senior dogs have no problems emotionally bonding with their owner, just the opposite. They understand very well that they are given a chance in life, and there is no animal more grateful than the adopted one.”

#16 Adopted A Cat 2 Days Ago, This Is Her Now

#17 Saw Him At An Adoption Event And Couldn’t Say No. Say Hello To Our First Standard Issue, Chestnut!

#18 I Got Adopted By This Stray Beauty! Approached Me Out Of The Pitch Darkness, Scared The c**p Out Of Me, And Now I Can’t Wait To Get Home To Her. Still No Name, Formosa Mountain Dog

Ivanka also says that families shouldn’t feel pressured into getting a dog just because their children asked for one. “Dogs are not toys and should never be treated as such,” she says. “Having your child grow up with an animal is simply amazing, as it teaches the kids compassion, responsibility, true friendship and so much more.”

“If an adult wants to adopt a dog so their kid grows up with it, they must know going into the whole process that no matter what, the dog will be the parents’ responsibility! Dogs are not gifts, and one should never gift a pet to someone, as usually these gifts end up in shelters or on the street,” Ivanka says. “Have in mind that a mature dog has the emotional and intellectual capacity of a 2.5 year old kid. Would you treat a child this age poorly?”

#19 Adopted These Two Brothers At 15 Years Old

They are brothers, lovers, and fighters all rolled in to one.

#20 Found This Little Baby Left Alone In The Middle Of A Parking Lot Yesterday, Taken Her Into A Vet And They Say She’s Doing Well So Far!

#21 Hi, My Name Is Lulu

I don’t like any human but my own human.

As far as what prospective adopters should know before bringing a dog home, Ivanka says, “Before everything, the dog is a responsibility,” she told Bored Panda. “An adopter should really consider if in their current lifestyle there is room for a pet. And if yes, what exactly having one will entail.”

“And once again, patience,” Ivanka added. “A lot of people think the dog will immediately love their new life the moment it steps into their new home. That the dog will immediately trust their adopter and will bond and start playing from the get go. Would you immediately trust a stranger?”

#22 My Friend Adopted A Street Dog From Cyprus And I Got To Meet Her For The First Time Yesterday. One Ridiculously Photogenic Dog

#23 I’m Adopting This One Eyed Baby Boy

#24 Adopted Our Very First Cat Last Weekend. I Was Worried We’d Get A Non-Friendly Cat Who Was Very Standoffish But She’s An Angel. Is Interested With Anything, Wants To Be Cradled Like A Baby, Vibrates All The Time

“If you have decided to adopt a dog, really think it through, and choose a dog with a temperament and character that will best fit your lifestyle in order to have a true best friend,” Ivanka says. “Have realistic expectations from your adopted dog, be patient with it, and show it that it can trust you 100%. Then, and only then, will you really have a true, joyful, obedient and forever four-legged best friend. And trust me, every single effort is so worth it!”

If you’d like to learn more about Every Dog Matters EU, be sure to visit their website!

#25 Adopting One Of My Teacher’s Baby Cat

#26 We Adopted This Handsome Guy!

#27 Adopted A Stray Cat

We hope you’re enjoying these photos of precious animals who have finally found loving homes, pandas! Adopting and rescuing animals is so much better than buying from a breeder, and your sweet little companion will always be thankful for your love. Keep upvoting the pics that you find particularly precious, and if you’re interested in checking out more wholesome adoption photos from Bored Panda, look no further than right here!

#28 Just Adopted This Handsome Boy

#29 Just Adopted This Little Monster!

#30 Sweet Independent Girl. Very Quiet, And Doesn’t Bark. Just Short Quips And Yodels

#31 Adopted This Guy Yesterday. Meet Charlie. He Is So, So Beautiful. He’s Been Such A Joy Already (So Far ). He Is 1/4 German Shepherd, 3/4 Husky Or A Shepsky

#32 Adopted Two “Undesirable Cats” At The Animal Shelter- A Very Scared Feral Kitten (Still Trying To Get A Good Face Pic) And The Fattest Cat In The Building

#33 Adopted My First Dog!! I Named Her Bella Btw And She Wanted To Say Hi!

#34 New Adoption; So Many Beans!

#35 Adopted This Little Booger About A Week Ago

#36 Meet Fred

His name was Mercury but I call him Fred. He is only 5 months old and he’s huge I think. It’s only day one but I’ve never met a cat like Fred. He wants to be directly near me and I’ve never met a cat who didn’t eventually get sick of pets and want some space from you. I love Fred already. Also Fred is really vocal and I think that’s neat.

#37 He Is My First Pet Ever, Adopted Straight From The Streets

#38 First Time Being A Cat’s Person! Adopted Inigo Meowtoya Last Week

#39 Adopted This Sweetie Today And Within 15 Minutes She Was Laid Up And Purring

#40 This Is Pumpkin, A Street Cat Of 10+ Years That We Adopted!

#41 Meet Bumi! I Just Adopted Him And I’m A New Dog Owner

#42 I Just Adopted A Dog. He Is A Year Old And Super Sweet. He Has Very Corse Fur. He Is Very Good With Kids And A Bit Lazy

#43 I Just Adopted This Little Baby

#44 I Adopted Him 3 Days Ago

#45 I Will Adopt Those Cats, I Have Never Had Cats, Will Be The First Time

#46 I Adopted My First Dog Yesterday

#47 Meet Budgie

#48 Just Adopted This Baby Friday. The Shelter Said Great Pyrenees & Saint Bernard, But I’m Really Unsure!

#49 Thoughts On Blue?

The agency we adopted him from thought he was part Catahoula Leopard dog but others have disagreed. He sounds like Chewbacca and also has the shrillest whine (scream) I’ve ever heard a dog make.

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49 Wholesome Pics Of Pets Who Will Not Have To Be Alone Ever Again

December 19, 2025

Discover more in 50 Wholesome Pics Of Pets Who Will Not Have To Be Alone Ever Again (January Edition)

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#1 Today I Adopted This Beautiful Queen, Her Name Is Nettie And Shes 18 Years Old💞👑

#2 A Stray Puppy I Took In. Can’t Sit Down Without Her Squeezing In Beside Me

#3 Pulled A Mother And Kitten Off The Streets Of Detroit Last Month, Now They Are Spoiled

As someone who grew up with dogs, I can definitely attest to the fact that having cute and cuddly animals in your home just makes it feel more like, well, home! There’s always a wagging tail to greet you when you get home (or in the case of my cat, a demanding meow telling me off for leaving him alone), and there’s always someone to snuggle up with at bedtime.

And if you’re in need of an animal for your home, I strongly urge you to look in shelters and rescues rather than checking out breeders. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, about 6.3 million domesticated animals find their way into shelters in the United States every single year. These little creatures would love to be adopted into loving homes, and taking them in can literally save their lives.

#4 My Sweet Rescue

#5 From Rough Dubai Streets To The English Countryside

#6 Our New Cat Is Ridiculously Photogenic

To find out more about why it’s so important to adopt rather than shop when getting a new pet, for a previous Bored Panda article, we reached out to Chair of Almost Home Dog Rescue, Alex. Alex was kind enough to have a chat with us and shared that there’s been a crisis in animal rescues in the UK since the pandemic.

“Breeders are breeding faster than we can rehome. Thousands of healthy, non challenging dogs are euthanized weekly in the UK, simply because there is nowhere for them to go,” Alex noted.

#7 Was Never A Cat Person Aaaaand I Became A Cat Dad

#8 Poor Guy Got Dumped In Snow Storm

I felt terrible for the poor boy and had to adopt him. He is a very sweet dog and so well mannered.

#9 I Adopted Old Man Shadow Recently. Kevin Gained A Friend And I Lost The Couch

One reason why some people might be hesitant to adopt is the fact that many of these animals have experienced trauma, and they might not seem incredibly friendly right off the bat. But Alex assures readers that she has witnessed animals undergo incredible transformations after being adopted into loving homes. “There have been many stories of where a timid, challenging or abused dog has completely transformed in the right supportive environment,” she previously told Bored Panda.

#10 Just Adopted A Puppy From The Shelter And It Said It’s Breed Is Unknown

#11 I’ve Never Had A Cat Before So It’s Been Really Nice Relishing All These Moments With Him. I Immensely Love Him So I Would Like To Share These Photos Of Him!

#12 Picking This Boy Up From The Pound Tomorrow. (Oc)

As far as what prospective owners should understand before deciding to adopt, Alex says, “[Almost Home] supports by giving any potential adopters a pre-adoption checklist – asking them to cover all the points as a family. Everyone in the home needs to be committed to the dog for the rest of its life!”

#13 Found This Little Furry Rascal Freezing On The Street Yesterday. Tomorow We Are Going To The Vet ! Welcome Home Dante/Lucifer 😻🐈‍⬛️

#14 Found A Wee Kitty On A Road 🥺 Mine Now

#15 Adopted Rocco And She Said “Let’s Keep Him Forever And Ever And Ever”

“[Almost Home] offers support to the family for the rest of [their dog’s] life too,” Alex says. “Finances are a big one, and what changes people expect in their lives over the next 10 years – all that should be considered.”

“We ensure all our dogs are neutered before they are adopted,” she added. “We strongly recommend this for behavioral reasons as well as medical.

#16 This Is The Face That Got Him Adopted

#17 3 Of The 4 Pups I Found On The Highway This Morning

#18 It’s -8 Here And Heard A Cry At Our Front Door

And while some people may believe misconceptions about rescue or shelter dogs, Alex wants readers to understand that anything they’ve been through was not the animal’s fault. “A rescued dog has simply been let down by humans!” she shared.

#19 I Rescued The Tattooed Cartel Cat That Was Living In A Mexican Prison

#20 Bred And Dumped At The Pound. Now She’s Couch Surfing At My Place

#21 I Think My Adopted Pupper Is Happy Here

Having a pet might seem like a huge burden before actually getting one, and I completely understand the hesitation. Before my partner and I decided to go through with adoption, the only things racing around my mind were the downsides. “It will be so expensive,” I thought. And, “That’s way too much responsibility!” And while those are important factors to consider, what I didn’t realize was how deeply in love I would immediately fall with our pets.

#22 Adopted Our Very First Cat Last Weekend. I Was Worried We’d Get A Non-Friendly Cat Who Was Very Standoffish But She’s An Angel. Is Interested With Anything, Pickups No Problem, Wants To Be Cradled Like A Baby, Vibrates All The Time, And… Stops Me From Working Or Playing On My PC

#23 Adopted This Sweet Girl Yesterday, We Can’t Settle On A Name

#24 His First Sound Sleep After Being Adopted From A Shelter

The bond between a pet and their owner is so special, and if you’re in a place where you can financially and practically take care of a little creature, I would highly recommend it. Plus, look at how precious the photos on this list are! There will never be a shortage of pets in shelters, so if you’re at a point in your life where you’re ready to expand your family, please remember to adopt not shop!

#25 I Adopted A Kitten And She Came With A Gift.. The Kitten Was Pregnant

#26 Guys, I Need Your Help, I Adopted My New Baby Today But I Need A Name For Him

#27 So The Pup We Adopted Turned Out To Be A Big Big Baby🤭 3 Months, 44 Lbs

Has this list made you realize that you might need to adopt a new cuddly member into your family, pandas? Whether you’re a cat, dog or reptile person, having a little creature roaming around is always worth it. Enjoy scrolling through the rest of these cute pics, and if you’re interested in checking out another adoption photo of the month list, you can find Bored Panda’s last one right here!

#28 Adopting These Two Dummies Is The Best Thing That’s Ever Happened To Us

#29 One Month Since Adoption Day And I’m In Love 🥰

#30 I Found A Little Boy I Want To Adopt Locally. He Showed Me His Air m****r Mittens In Seconds Of Seeing Me. I Believe He Will Adopt Me

#31 Almost 2 Weeks Ago I Signed Moishe’s Adoption Papers, And He’s Still Smiling Today! I Think He Is Happy To Be In His Forever Home

#32 Adopted This Baby Boy Today! He’s Already So Snuggly And Demanding Of Pets. He Doesn’t Know I Love Him So Much Already

#33 Meet Bear (Right) He Just Lost His Human And His Family Offered Him To Me, I Couldn’t Refuse

#34 I Adopted This Sweet Boy 6 Hours Ago And He Just Passed Out And Started Dreaming Right In Front Of Me 🥺❤️

#35 Just Adopted This 6 Month Old Boy And He’s My First Cat!

#36 Picked Up A Stray Cat A While Back. Turned Out She Was Pregnant. Now I Have 5 Cats. 🐈‍⬛

#37 We Adopted These 2 Little Black Beauties About 5 Weeks Ago! I Think We May Be In For Trouble!

#38 My Rescue Finally Feeling At Peace In My Home ❤️ Have You Ever Rescued A Little Angle?

#39 I Adopted Mine Today! Was Told His Brain Cell Would Come In The Mail In 3-4 Weeks

#40 I Am Adopting This Boy Tomorrow And Couldn’t Be More Excited. Him And His Brothers Were Found Under A Bridge

#41 My First Dog In 8 Years. This Boy Is Beau, He Is Already My Best Friend 🩵🩶💙

#42 I Felt So Lucky That I Adopted Him About 2 Months Ago. He Is Such A Good Paw For Me! What Do Y’all Say

#43 My Parent’s Cat Is Still Getting Accustomed To Having A New Puppy Around

#44 Found This Baby In My Backyard Today And Now It Is Mine

#45 Our New Kitten Is Obsessed With Her Big Brother

#46 I Will Adopt Those Cats, I Have Never Had Cats, Will Be The First Time, I Need Help With His Names! Pls 🥰

#47 Adopted A Jersey Wooly

#48 Two Months Into Adopting A Cat, And I (Chronic Side Sleeper Turned Contortionist) Have Become His Bed 💙

#49 The Cat I Picked Up On The Road Yesterday Is Already Very Friendly With Me Today. I Don’t Know Why Her Owner Don’t Love Her

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Source Link 49 Wholesome Pics Of Pets Who Will Not Have To Be Alone Ever Again

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