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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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#1
This Old Boy Thinks We Adopted The New Kitten Just For Him
Angela Kelley 4 years ago
Oh my goodness, you’ve brought him such joy, This old boy knows you brought the kitty for him, you just don’t know it yet.💓
Bob Stuart 4 years ago
Every time I see a dog or a cat eating, I also know that a wild dog or cat has been deprived. Raising animals for slaughter is killing our planet now.
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
Sweet old pup! Elderly pets turn my heart to mush—that sweet gray face is so wonderful!
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#2
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!
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."
#3
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
#4
Today We Adopted This Gorgeous Little Hedgehog
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."
#5
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
Sergy Yeltsen 4 years ago
That look of sadness and misery turning into one of love and deep affection... congratulations on rescuing this gorgeous gentleman.
#6
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
Alexandra Davis 4 years ago
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!
#7
Katara - Purebred Mutt, Rescued And Adopted In Montreal. Of Course, We’re The Lucky Ones
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."
#8
Our 2 Newly Adopted Kittens
#9
Adopted My First Void This Week, Isn’t She A Beaut?
#10
My New Cat’s Reaction To Her Forever Home
Julia Atkinson 4 years ago
"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"
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."
#11
Myself (Middle) My Brother (Left) And My Best Friend (Right) With Our Puppy Siblings We Just Adopted
#12
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
#13
How To Adopt A Hooman
#14
Are Blind, 9 Year Old, Recently Adopted Boys Cute? I Sure Think So
#15
Just Adopted These Two Sweet Brothers. Our 2.5 Year Old Son Chose The Names... Meet T-Rex And Cardboard
#16
Just Adopted A 13 Week Old Kitten, And His Big Brother (3 Year Old Golden) Is Taking His New Role Very Seriously
#17
Adopted These Two, Meeting Them On Thursday For The First Time
#18
My Newly Adopted Boy Angus Looking Quite Dapper!
#19
Friend Asked If I Could Adopt A Stray, But My Dog Ended Up Doing The Adopting
#20
I Still Can't Believe I Was Lucky Enough To Be The One To Adopt Her
#21
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!
Alexandra Davis 4 years ago
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
#22
Poe & Kylo First Day Of Kylo’s Adoption vs. One Week After Adoption
#23
Adopted A Pupper, She Mlems When She’s Asleep
#24
Adopted My Boy And My Cat Finally Accepted Him. Can You Tell That He’s Happy?
Elli Rahim 4 years ago
Cat: All right then, let's NOT get too enthusiastic...I said you can share the space. But stay on your side, understand?
#25
In A Span Of Two Days We Adopted This Baby And Got Engaged
#26
Meet Pearl, We Just Adopted Her
#27
Look At This Perfect Little Bean I Just Adopted
#28
Adopted A Kitten Today! Her Name Is Loki, She Is Super Scared, But Too Cute
Alexandra Davis 4 years ago
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!
#29
Just Adopted. Her Name Is Minette
#30
When We First Adopted Our Dog A Few Weeks Ago vs. Today. He A Thick Boy Now!
#31
This Is Henry, The Newest Member Of Our Family
#32
Went To Adopt One Cat, Came Out With Bonded Sisters
#33
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?
#34
My Feral Baby I Adopted From My Backyard
#35
This Is The Fourth Stray Kitten I Find Near My House. They Keep Coming And I Keep Adopting Them. Am I Cursed?
#36
Illegaly Smol Cat That Adopted Us Yesterday
#37
Doctor Doom Enjoying Her First Nap In Her Forever Home After Her Stint At The Shelter
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Whoever said cats are aloof should see this. So peaceful and happy. Gorgeous markings too.
#38
Adopted This Little Guy The Other Day, He’s A Complete Sweetheart
#39
Just Adopted This Big Baby, My Very First Standard Issue Cat. He Even Came Pre-Derpped!
#40
Just Adopted Her And I Think She’s Fitting Right In
#41
Just Got Her, Need Help Finding A Name. I Like Mushroom, But My Mom Doesn't
#42
I’m So Glad We Adopted Them Together
#43
My Cousin Just Adopted This Little Pup. Meet Lulu!
#44
We Adopted Nala!
Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) 4 years ago
Haha that’s the same goofy, excited face my pups give when I take a photo “puppy, look!” Pup: *derp*
#45
We Adopted This Lil Guy Yesterday & He Gives Me The Warmest Fuzzies. Home At Last!
#46
Adopted Her On Sunday From A Hectic Household. This Is Us After An Hour In Her Forever Home
Elli Rahim 4 years ago
Doggo can finally feel relaxed enough to nap quietly without the hurly burly!
#47
Adopted Him Today, He Loves Cuddling
Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) 4 years ago
Whoever keeps saying that cats aren’t affectionate is so wrong. Just look at this baby
#48
This Is Beowulf. Turns Out Beowulf Is Actually A Girl And Now Needs A New Name. Any Ideas?
#49
Recently Adopted These Two Dingleberries. They’re Not Related But Get Along Quite Well
#50
Meet Aspen. Just Adopted Her And She’s An Absolute Sweetheart
#51
Newly Adopted Kittens. Tom And Jerry
#52
Cute Girl We Adopted... She Is Being A Little Sunshine In Our Lives
#53
Adopted These Babies Yesterday, They Are Really Scared And Are Hiding In Their Cozy
#54
Just Adopted This Little Buddy, Got Returned 2 Times, 3rd And Final Home Now! He Still Needs A Name!
#55
We Have Adopted Our First Daughter Yesterday
Elli Rahim 4 years ago
She may look shy now, but she's show off her stripes on a Zoom call soon.
#56
Name Suggestions For Our Newly Adopted Pup? As Well As Breed Guesses? He’s About 5 Months
#57
Meet My New 13 Day Old Pup. I Haven't Named Him Though. Suggestions Are Welcome. He's A Stray And I Adopt Strays
Alexandra Davis 4 years ago
13 days is too young to be away from mum, unless he's an orphan or mum rejected him?
#58
Adopted A Cat Today
#59
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
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ScarlettofHydraIsland 4 years ago (edited)
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.
Anapv 4 years ago
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 😿
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Marion Friedl 3 years ago
Adorable furbabies, each of them, thanks Pandas for also having #AdoptDontShop as one of your (c)attitudes.
ScarlettofHydraIsland 4 years ago (edited)
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.
Anapv 4 years ago
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... Marion Friedl 3 years ago
Adorable furbabies, each of them, thanks Pandas for also having #AdoptDontShop as one of your (c)attitudes.
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