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Each and every pet deserves a roof over their head, a comfy bed, nutritious meals, and, of course, a family who will love them forever and ever. The sad fact is that countless animals end up in rescue shelters after being abandoned by their owners. The ASPCA notes that a whopping 6.5 million companion animals enter animal shelters each year in the United States. Meanwhile, an estimated 250k animals go to rescue centers each year in the United Kingdom. 

The stats are staggering and our hearts might break. However, there are countless selfless people out there who live by the slogan “adopt, don’t shop” and open up their homes and their hearts to pets in need. Bored Panda has collected this month’s most wholesome photos of pets rescued from animal shelters, and they’ll bring a lot of light and love back into your lives, dear Pandas.

There never seem to be enough cute animals in our lives, right, Pandas? Hopefully, our previous articles about people adopting pets and giving them the quality lives they deserve will help with that. Have a look through our recent articles for June, May, and April once you’re done upvoting your fave photos in this list and booping all those oh-so-boopable noses.

Meanwhile, read on for Bored Panda’s interview with the PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, about how to make rescue pets feel welcome in their new forever home.

#1

The Rescue Centre Said Nobody Wants Him Because He's FIV+ And That He's Desperate For A Home Because He Just Loves People. Adopted Him Today And I Think He's Happy

The Rescue Centre Said Nobody Wants Him Because He's FIV+ And That He's Desperate For A Home Because He Just Loves People. Adopted Him Today And I Think He's Happy

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#3

I Adopted A 7 Year Old Cloud. I Believe He Adopted Me Too

I Adopted A 7 Year Old Cloud. I Believe He Adopted Me Too

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I reached out to PDSA vet Anna Ewers Clark to have a chat about how we can make our new best friend cats feel right at home when we pick them up from our local animal shelter. Anna was kind enough to share her expertise with Bored Panda. These tips and tricks help the cat feel more comfortable and less stressed.

“Pheromone diffusers or sprays can help make your cat feel more at home from the moment they come through the door,” vet Anna said. “Continuing with the same food for a few weeks can also help, to avoid making sudden changes to the diet that could upset their tummies. So ask the rescue center or breeder for the name ahead of time.”

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#5

My Rescue Kitten Has Bonded With My Dog And It Makes My Heart Melt

My Rescue Kitten Has Bonded With My Dog And It Makes My Heart Melt

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#6

The Shelter Said She Was Shy And Wouldn't Want To Be Around Us Much... But This Is What I Wake Up To Every Day

The Shelter Said She Was Shy And Wouldn't Want To Be Around Us Much... But This Is What I Wake Up To Every Day

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nawwww...it's always nice to wake up to someone with stranger dental work than you...xxxx

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The PSDA vet continued: “Set up a safe space or den for your cat. Your cat will often need some time to adjust to their new family and surroundings, so think about setting up their own private room with everything they need and let them join you when they’re ready.”

Anna suggested to Bored Panda that when bringing home a new rescue catto, we ought to give it time to acclimate to its new surroundings. Change is hard on all of us, especially on pets who weren’t loved in the past as much as they deserved to be.

#7

Went To The Shelter And Fell In Love

Went To The Shelter And Fell In Love

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#8

The Only Thing Better Than Adopting A Black Kitty Is Adopting Two Black Kitties

The Only Thing Better Than Adopting A Black Kitty Is Adopting Two Black Kitties

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#9

Koda Just Came To Her Retirement Home From The Shelter! She's 12, Blind, And Happy As Can Be

Koda Just Came To Her Retirement Home From The Shelter! She's 12, Blind, And Happy As Can Be

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“Keep your cat indoors for the first few weeks, as it’s easy for cats to get lost or confused in a new place. Giving them time to get used to the sights, sounds, and smells in your home can help them feel more confident when you start letting them venture out and help them find their way back to you. When you do begin letting them out, start with short trips into the garden and give them a tasty treat or meal when they come back inside,” the animal health expert explained to Bored Panda.

#10

This Year I Moved To A Different Country, And With Covid, I’ve Been Pretty Lonely. In A Strange Place With No Friends, This Gentle Stray Found And Adopted Me. Meet Porchey

This Year I Moved To A Different Country, And With Covid, I’ve Been Pretty Lonely. In A Strange Place With No Friends, This Gentle Stray Found And Adopted Me. Meet Porchey

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#11

Adopted Our First Family Puppy Today. Found My 2 Year Old And Puppy Like This Day 1 - I Think We Found A Winner

Adopted Our First Family Puppy Today. Found My 2 Year Old And Puppy Like This Day 1 - I Think We Found A Winner

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#12

We Went To The Shelter Today To Look For Our First Kitten, And Ended Up Walking Out With This 9 Year Old Pretty Lady

We Went To The Shelter Today To Look For Our First Kitten, And Ended Up Walking Out With This 9 Year Old Pretty Lady

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You also need to start thinking about your new cat’s veterinary and healthcare needs as soon as possible. “Make sure you register your new cat with a local vet and think about pet insurance from the day you bring them home so you can be reassured that they’re covered if they ever become ill or injured. You’ll also need to think about neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping which are all really important to keep your cat safe and happy.”

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#13

I Might Have Accidentally Adopted A Seal

I Might Have Accidentally Adopted A Seal

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#14

Someone Likes Being Adopted And Someone Is Not Amused By Her New Brother

Someone Likes Being Adopted And Someone Is Not Amused By Her New Brother

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#15

Aaron Purr Was An Orphan We Took In To Bottle Feed And Care For Until He Could Be Adopted. And Now We Are Keeping Him Forever. He's Six Weeks Old And We Love Him. How Could We Not, Right?

Aaron Purr Was An Orphan We Took In To Bottle Feed And Care For Until He Could Be Adopted. And Now We Are Keeping Him Forever. He's Six Weeks Old And We Love Him. How Could We Not, Right?

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And there you have it, dear Readers—that’s how you can make your companion feel at ease and well cared for from the moment they enter your home. Love might be the most important thing, but don’t forget how vital all these practical details are, either! See you in a month for August’s edition of rescue pet pics, Pandas!

#16

This Is Fru-Fru. She Has No Teeth, Is Deaf, And Has Some Neurological Disorders. A Vet Clinic Adopted Her, And She Is Super Sweet

This Is Fru-Fru. She Has No Teeth, Is Deaf, And Has Some Neurological Disorders. A Vet Clinic Adopted Her, And She Is Super Sweet

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is horrified that you would even think differently! She's gorgeous!

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#17

Went To The Shelter For A Kitten. Came Back Home With A 2 Year Old Black Cat Who Used To Be A Stray Cat. Best Decision Ever. Meet Marcel

Went To The Shelter For A Kitten. Came Back Home With A 2 Year Old Black Cat Who Used To Be A Stray Cat. Best Decision Ever. Meet Marcel

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#18

Baby Boy We Found And Rescued Outside!

Baby Boy We Found And Rescued Outside!

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#19

Finally Over Two Pounds! I Can Haz Adoption Now?

Finally Over Two Pounds! I Can Haz Adoption Now?

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#20

My Parents Adopted Me From S. Korea And I Had The Pleasure Of Adopting This Girl From S. Korea. Meet Natto!

My Parents Adopted Me From S. Korea And I Had The Pleasure Of Adopting This Girl From S. Korea. Meet Natto!

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#21

Rescued This Baby Duck Tonight. Meet Davey

Rescued This Baby Duck Tonight. Meet Davey

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#22

Adopted This Little Fella From A Local Shelter Last Week. We Love Him So Much!

Adopted This Little Fella From A Local Shelter Last Week. We Love Him So Much!

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#23

Meet Theo! She Was Rescued From A Mulch Pile With A Bunch Of Heavy Equipment Driving Around. Her Roar Was Mighty

Meet Theo! She Was Rescued From A Mulch Pile With A Bunch Of Heavy Equipment Driving Around. Her Roar Was Mighty

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#24

Welcome To The Family, Pretty Boy. Adopted Him At The Ripe Old Age Of 15!

Welcome To The Family, Pretty Boy. Adopted Him At The Ripe Old Age Of 15!

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seniors ROCK!!! Get a senior, get a best friend (who probably won't poop on you within 2 hours of being home)

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#26

We Rescued Robbie From A Hoarding Situation Last Night. His Life Only Gets Better From Here

We Rescued Robbie From A Hoarding Situation Last Night. His Life Only Gets Better From Here

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#27

Rescued This 8 Month Old Doofus A Week Ago. Something Tells Me He's Happy To Be Home

Rescued This 8 Month Old Doofus A Week Ago. Something Tells Me He's Happy To Be Home

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#28

I Just Adopted This Perpetually Snaggletoothed Void. Meet Mr. Claudius Maximus Depussy

I Just Adopted This Perpetually Snaggletoothed Void. Meet Mr. Claudius Maximus Depussy

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's lovely!The eyes, the teefies, the voidness, the silly velvet bow tie - I love him!

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#29

I'd Like You All To Meet Kenma, He Is The Most Polite Kitty I Could've Ever Adopted. And His Favorite Food Is Tuna

I'd Like You All To Meet Kenma, He Is The Most Polite Kitty I Could've Ever Adopted. And His Favorite Food Is Tuna

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#30

We Adopted Our Foster/Rescue. This Is Lewie, Our 97lb Alaskan Malamute!

We Adopted Our Foster/Rescue. This Is Lewie, Our 97lb Alaskan Malamute!

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#32

My Newly Adopted Kitten Loves Snuggling

My Newly Adopted Kitten Loves Snuggling

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#33

Whoever Said That Money Can’t Buy Happiness Has Never Paid An Adoption Fee. First Time Cat Owner, Im In Love With My Fur Ball

Whoever Said That Money Can’t Buy Happiness Has Never Paid An Adoption Fee. First Time Cat Owner, Im In Love With My Fur Ball

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#34

A Few Days Ago Daisy Showed Up At Our Door Carrying A Daisy Sour Cream Container And Was Hungry, Dirty, And Scared. We Couldnt Find Any Lost Dog Notices And She Wasn't Chipped So We Adopted Her. She Is Very Sweet And A New Addition To The Family

A Few Days Ago Daisy Showed Up At Our Door Carrying A Daisy Sour Cream Container And Was Hungry, Dirty, And Scared. We Couldnt Find Any Lost Dog Notices And She Wasn't Chipped So We Adopted Her. She Is Very Sweet And A New Addition To The Family

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#35

Took This Yesterday - On The Left Is Mitten, My Boy Who I Lost In 2017, And On The Right Is Sofia Who I Adopted Last Week. This Moment Made Me Think I Was Looking At Mitten Again

Took This Yesterday - On The Left Is Mitten, My Boy Who I Lost In 2017, And On The Right Is Sofia Who I Adopted Last Week. This Moment Made Me Think I Was Looking At Mitten Again

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tw 72
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mitten is probably guiding Sofia from kitty heaven. They can do that, ya know. Mitten is telling Sofia how well-loved she will be at your house. ❤

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#36

Adopted This Girl 2 Days Ago And She's Already Showing Her Curls

Adopted This Girl 2 Days Ago And She's Already Showing Her Curls

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#37

I Think My Rescue Kitten Loves Me

I Think My Rescue Kitten Loves Me

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#38

I'm A Foster Home For Orphaned Kittens. I've Raised 12 Kittens And Gave Them Up For Adoption. This Is My First Foster Fail. Welcome Home, Midna

I'm A Foster Home For Orphaned Kittens. I've Raised 12 Kittens And Gave Them Up For Adoption. This Is My First Foster Fail. Welcome Home, Midna

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#39

First Night, Xena Fell In Love With Her Smaller Adopted Brother Watson

First Night, Xena Fell In Love With Her Smaller Adopted Brother Watson

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Tess the ferret
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't even tell which legs belong to which dog!😂

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#40

Baxter Is On His Way To His New Forever Home!

Baxter Is On His Way To His New Forever Home!

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KJ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If one picture could sum up contentment, this is the picture.

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#41

Wanda My Rescue Puppy! I Think This Is Her Realizing She’s Found Her Forever Home

Wanda My Rescue Puppy! I Think This Is Her Realizing She’s Found Her Forever Home

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#42

This Kitten Was Crying Outside Night After Night When My Boyfriend Would Leave For Work And Everyone Around Knew About Him From His Loud Screams. He Was Terrified. But An iPad With Mama Kitty Noises, Swift Hand Movements And One Hour Later, I Rescued Him, And Now He’s Smiling In His New Home

This Kitten Was Crying Outside Night After Night When My Boyfriend Would Leave For Work And Everyone Around Knew About Him From His Loud Screams. He Was Terrified. But An iPad With Mama Kitty Noises, Swift Hand Movements And One Hour Later, I Rescued Him, And Now He’s Smiling In His New Home

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#43

I Had A Suspicion My Newly Adopted Boi Was Liquid. Today It Was Confirmed!

I Had A Suspicion My Newly Adopted Boi Was Liquid. Today It Was Confirmed!

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#44

We Adopted Booley. He Will Be 13 Years Old Soon

We Adopted Booley. He Will Be 13 Years Old Soon

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#45

Adopted This Wild Boy Because His Former Family Didn’t Want Him Anymore. A 1,5 Years Of Fluffiness That Made My First Time Having A Cat Just Magical

Adopted This Wild Boy Because His Former Family Didn’t Want Him Anymore. A 1,5 Years Of Fluffiness That Made My First Time Having A Cat Just Magical

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#46

How Should I Name Her? She Appeared Today On My House And Adopted Me, And She's Missing One Ear, But Seems To Be Healthy And Plays With Anything That Moves

How Should I Name Her? She Appeared Today On My House And Adopted Me, And She's Missing One Ear, But Seems To Be Healthy And Plays With Anything That Moves

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#47

Good Things Come In Pairs, Really Glad I Adopted The Both Of Them Together!

Good Things Come In Pairs, Really Glad I Adopted The Both Of Them Together!

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Go away, Margaret. This is a private moment and you're spoiling it. Yes, and take your questionable art choices with you.'

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#48

Picked This Little Guy Up Today And Brought Him To His Forever Home With Us

Picked This Little Guy Up Today And Brought Him To His Forever Home With Us

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#49

Just Adopted This Little Cutie, Pepper

Just Adopted This Little Cutie, Pepper

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Susan Green
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love puppy eyes, puppy breath, puppy feet’s….I could go on forever.

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#50

Tiny Rescue

Tiny Rescue

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Note: this post originally had 115 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.