This Online Community Shares Before And After Adoption Pics, Shows How Love And Care Changes Cats (30 New Pics)
Too many animals end up neglected or in abusive hands of people who were supposed to love them. Deprived of human affection and care, they often lose hope for what the future holds. And while for some, there’s not much in there, a few lucky ones are given a second chance in their new forever home.
If you've ever adopted an animal who has seen and experienced things no living being should ever endure, you’d know how hard it is for them to regain their trust in humans. But love and time are the two most powerful things that heal all wounds, and this post is a tribute to that.
Below are some of the most inspirational and emotional photos of cats before and after adoption as shared on the tear-jerking r/BeforeNAfterAdoption subreddit. More happy endings of animals who were happily adopted can be found in our previous posts here, here and here.
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Hazel Was A Stray Who Was Rescued After Being Caught In A Steel Trap For An Estimated 5 Days. She Lost Her Leg But Found Her Home With Me! This Is 8 Weeks After Coming Home
10 Months Ago I Found This Little Guy Abandoned And Starving, Now He's A Pampered Little Prince
Lol, I came to the comments to say just that!
Load More Replies...That 2nd picture is hilarious! We can see who's in charge (and more than deserves it).
In ancient Egypt cats were believed to be Gods, they have not forgotten this!
He deserves every bit he demands. From fear to be able to trust and love!
OMG the second photo. You can tell he has assumed his rightful place as ruler of your home.
This Guy Showed Up On Our Porch One Day
He was emaciated, dirty brown fur, covered with ants, cross eyed and barely alive. The humane society wouldn’t take him because he was in such bad shape. So we kept him and named him Knut. He turned into a fluffy white monster.
How can a humane society refuse to take in a cat because it's in bad shape? That's appalling
I adopted my two kitties from an awesome local rescue centre. They've had to turn a lot of cats away recently because they're absolutely swamped and no one is adopting (lockdown over?) so they simply don't have the room. They're all volunteer fosters. It's heartbreaking, particularly when they get the emotional blackmail - 'Well, if you don't take the kitten, then I'll just take it to the vet to be put down' - but sometimes we can't assume that someone else is able to help and just have to step up ourselves - as this person obviously did.
Load More Replies...I think that society needs to give up it's name as it clearly doesn't know the meaning of the word.
To find out what we all need to know before adopting a cat, Bored Panda reached out to Hannah Baker, a head of communications at FOUR PAWS in the UK. This charity organization was founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, and now has spread worldwide, advocating for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.
In the wake of COVID-19 and the repeated lockdowns, it is likely that both dog and cat rehoming centers will see an influx of animals being handed over and looking for new forever homes,” Hannah said when asked if cats or dogs end up in shelters more often.
Parker, The Sickly Stray 5 Week Old Kitten I Found In A Parking Lot At Work Three Years Ago
Still a young cat. Many more years of happiness ahead. And I agree, gorgeous kitty.
My Rescue’s Transformation
Poor Baby! Thank Goodness their are people out there that can see the best in what may look like the worst ! God Bless one and all in these photos.
I can’t imagine what this cat went through before it was rescued. I’m so happy, this cat is healthy and happy now.
To you I throw the torch - You picked it up with love and gave me life!
This striking cat has this snake-like quality to it. What a unique feline!
This Poor 10 Y/O Little Man Took A Year To Go From Brutalized To Healthy And Active
Same for me, he looks like he's come to terms with his end 😭 so glad someone came along to rescue him <3
Load More Replies...Reminds me of my Dino... when I met him he was 10 years old, neglected, blind in one eye and was hiding in his catbox. It took about 3 months until one day he came out from under my bed to sit on my lap. I had him until he was 18 years old. A lot of good purr left in that old boy and I was glad I got to spend that time with him.
Every story here just warms my heart and brings a bigger smile. I work with cat rescue and have seen many similar transformations. Thank you to all of you.
When it comes to the adoption procedure, taking a cat back to its new forever home is much like the process with adopting a dog, Hannah said. “FOUR PAWS advocates adoption when looking for a new four-legged friend and as such would recommend researching the local rehoming centers near to you. They will then review your lifestyle and advise on the cats that would be suitable for you.”
Found Him Dehydrated In The High Summer Heat. Didn't Plan On Keeping Him Initially But A Few Years Later And I Can Never Leave Him!
This is how you get a cat! ... no... this is how you get a friend for life!
He's loved. That's all they want. Kindness, love, and lot's of treats & positive attention..
You’d see that look of reproach in your dreams. Best to hang on to him!
From Scrawny Stray, To Lovely House Kitty
That "Are we ready to get started?" look....
Load More Replies...This could be a Disney movie Cat. Maybe a movie called "Socks!"! From a tiny ,little wet looking baby, to a very happy ,beautiful boy.
My Baby Boy, Tom. The Day I Found Him And Now, 18 Months Later. He's Grown Into A Very Handsome Boy!
It's great to see him looking so self-assured and confident.... Your nuturing soothes even those of us who are just looking on ~
FOUR PAWS has a handy checklist that can help people decide if they’re ready for a feline friend. Turns out, if you’re thinking of adopting a cat, you should imagine when you’re already a cat owner. The somewhat humorous check point list includes things that you will be willing to do as a new feline owner.
For example, Remove 'cat hair' from your clothes; Regularly clean out the 'cat food bowl'; Weekend? Get up early!; Train your cat to use a transport box; Read your rental agreement on pet keeping; Make your home cat-secure; Imagine claw marks on your couch; Groom your 'cat'; Take an allergy test; Imagine the dead birds and mice your cat might bring into the house, etc.
The Day I Found Them Abandoned In A Cardboard Box, 1 Month, 2 Months And Likely Half Their Body Weight Of Worms Later
I would have to beat some ass if I found someone dumping helpless kitten like that.
Some people are extremely crual! VERY Hateful people. They should go to jail. I know some people do, if there caught. But I'm the type that would have them arrested if I knew. And YES, a good "Whoopin'" would be in store. Hateful.
This is why some people should only be allowed pets if they could pass a pet parenting test, blood test, psych evaluation, AND a police check.
Load More Replies...Cicero Came To Us Dehydrated, Anemic, And Encrusted With Snot. Now He's A Glorious Fluffy Boy!
Now he is nurtured and loved... Confident and secure.... And he knows it!
He must have had a lot of help and love from a equally glorious human!
I Found This Kitten Last Summer In A Sealed Box Near The Road We Rode
I don't know why I decied to stop and check it. Now he is a big cat and lives in this new family with his new friend.
F**k I hate people.. what is the damn thought process that makes you do something like this? A sealed f*****g box? Seriously?
same thing happened to my cat.... he was locked in a sealed box, no holes with his 4 siblings they died from heat and my baby boy was rescued and he is now scared of any new person and will not come out of my bedroom until the visitors are gone.
Load More Replies...A F*****G. SEALED. BOX. I have 3 cats. I can’t read any more of this thread. Goodnight Pandas!!!
I'm so glad your the type of curious person that would check on something like that. I am too. God Bless You.
“It’s also important to remember that like any pet, a cat is a lifelong commitment and it’s necessary to consider if you’ll be keeping your cat indoors or if they’ll be allowed to go outside, do you have a preference over gender, what home comforts do they need, etc.,” Hannah said and concluded that “Cats can bring so much to our lives but it’s vital to ensure that you have thought long and hard about adding one to your home.”
To Think That Luna Used To Fit In The Palm Of My Hand
This Tiny Girl Was Found Abandoned (We Think Dumped), Injured, And Couldn't See
We didn't think she would make it through the first night. After three weeks, she can see and has more energy than I can sometimes handle
I don't know if I can go to the next ones. Scrolling through these is killing me. I know the cat lady meme is laughed at, but so many of them are people who really do help animals. I used to. I can't anymore because I live in assisted living, but I can tell you something, if we were allowed to, we would, and would spend every penny of the stipend we get after copay for their care.
This makes me think of my Abigail. Her eyes were glued shut, she had burnt paws and gash across her face. She was an ugly indeterminate color, but then she turned into a gorgeous black cat!
I am certain the angels were watching over her...and, you ended up being chosen to carry on ~May Heaven bless you always!
Someone needs to be punished for this! You need to be lavished with love bet you already are!
I Trapped Sushi When He Was 17 Weeks Old With An Infected Neck Wound. 8 Months Later, Love And Patience Have Turned My Former Feral Into A Cuddle-Loving Cat
You deserve sainthood for not giving up on this helpless baby... You are special and it's wonderful to see him healthy and well now. Thanks for sharing!
People dismiss strays and especially feral cats and do not realize how far a little patience and love can go. It can take time to build trust took me 2 years with one I care for and now she like pets(only from me and hubby) and has trusted me to bring me her babies for food. But even the big feral Tom cat I've cared for 3+ years now and he won't come close enough to pet but he always knows my house has food and water and is safe. I've even had a feral cat that I always tried to feed but could never get close to show up dying on my back porch, let me put him into a carrier and take him to be checked out. Unfortunately he couldn't be saved but I feel like he knew I would help him. Showing them compassion and love is is so worth it!
I absolutely hate when people say feral cats cannot be rescued. My dad says constantly that once a cat get outside, it has gone feral and cannot be helped. It’s just so not true and that kind of mindset leaves so many precious babies left on the street to suffer.
How It Started vs. How It's Going
Somebody had an accident with the razor and lopped off half their ‘stache
Olly: 1 Month Update
After My Cat Died I Decided To Pick Up This Small Guy Who Looked Healthy When We Got Him, But We Soon Learned He Had A Horrible Ringworm Infestation. I Spent The Next 4 Months Healing This Little Guy
Titan, Adopted Through Our Rescue Good Karma. He’s Spoilt!
Please censor that wound for people like me who don’t like blood and wounds. Can’t look at this post because of it. Otherwise I’m glad he’s hapy
Stray That Started Coming By Our Library Staff Parking Lot Got Taken To The Shelter, Now He's Properly Adopted And Enjoys Belly Rubs, Anyway Here's My New Son, Taako
What Love And Tons Of Churu Can Do To A Street-Hardened Cat
He was checking out his options and realized that happiness will suit him just fine! ... Now, just to stretch out and soak up the rayes of sunsine ~
A Week After We Rescued This Little Girl. We Have Named Her Shamsie (Sounds Like Tummy)- Arabic For Sunshine
My sister took Arabic in college and named my kitties - Shamsee (sunshine) has bright yellow eyes and Commari (moon) had bright blue eyes. Lost Ri in 2020, but Shamsee is 18yo and rules the house!
How does that work, "sounds like tummy"? It's obviously related to the Maltese word "xemx", but that's pronounced as "shemsh".
Bean Dip. Found By My Girlfriend Under A Pile Of Trash In A Construction Site
We nursed her back to health and she now lives with a family member. First three photos are from July of this year, last photo is from two weeks ago. Best thing to happen to me in 2020.
Befor And After
This Is Peanut! I Found Him Caught In A Rat Trap And Knew He Had To Have A Second Chance
I was working in a restaurant when a few of my coworkers were talking about a kitten stuck in one of the rat traps outside. Everyone, including me, thought he had been dead for quite some time. Out of curiosity, I nudged his little feet and he kicked his paws!
It took a few minutes to wiggle him free, and when he opened his mouth to meow at me, his tongue was absolutely covered in rat poison.
I rushed him to our local vet, and thankfully there was an easy solution to his poisoning! My roommate and I paid out of pocket to cover his bill and took him home to rest and recover. Even though he had been through a lot, he wasn’t shy. He crawled into my lap wanting to be petted and held. He meowed and ate without hesitation. I took that as a good sign that he would be just fine. He seemed like he would make the perfect pet for anyone who adores cats.
Sadly, we couldn’t keep him. We have three dogs and not enough room for another animal. But in only just a few days, we found Peanut a new home with a very loving couple and their cat!
Now he has blossomed into a gorgeous kitty who loves attention and his parents! Every now and then, we get updates on the little guy and last I’ve heard, he’s now a dad! I’m so thankful they were able to take him in. I know they’re giving him the best life possible:)
For everyone concerned about Peanut, his litter was unintentional but it was a happy accident to his parents. They kept one and the rest found sweet homes. All animals in the house are now fixed! Thank you for being concerned! And thank you all for getting your fur babies spayed/ neutered!
Thanks for saving Peanut from certain death.... I believe in angels!
Such a happy ending, or looking at the current photo, such a beautiful tail.
My Dumpster Rescue Ophelia At 4 Weeks Old And 4 Months Old With Her New Best Friend
The left picture makes me want to cry. Those sad eyes.... Good job giving her a home!
Now, she is paying it forward with her cuddles to the next generation.... And your love and care, as well....
First picture looks like she's saying NOW WHAT! Second picture What now!
Our Maine Coon Kitten Hemingway’s Shelter Picture Compared To One Week After Bringing Him Home
He was such a cool guy in just a week. That pose! Ponyboy in The Outsiders!
He definitely subscribes to "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" philosophy.... Glad it worked out !
He doesn't even look like the same kitten in the second photo. Also, I don't know if you put extra spaces between the words Maine and C**n on purpose, but I see it wasn't censored by the "whatever reason it is censored for police" to read as c**n, as it usually is. I'm going to try this spacing hack so I don't have to write that 'I love cuddling in bed with my Maine Con'. It could be taken the wrong way, lol. (I have a female Maine C**n cat I rescued from an apartment parking lot two years ago.) Nope. Actually didn't work.
Oreo Almost 2 Years Ago vs. Today (Adopted Nov 2019)
He was living on the streets with a severe eye infection. The lady that was fostering him said she didn't think he would survive winter had he not been rescued. He's the sweetest baby and I can't imagine my life without him anymore
Yes, I so love the eyeliner kitties. My late wild one, Roswell, was a full-makeup kitty, blush, lips and all, lol. Roswell-61...b0bb0b.jpg
This Dirty But Charismatic Boy Started Hanging Around Outside Our House In The Spring Of 2017
We gave him food and shelter, and he found his place in our hearts and in our beds
This looks so much like my dear boy, who passed away at 20. I love him so much, still.
I know your pain, Susan. But so glad we hold them in our hearts with the happy memories, forever.
Load More Replies...I was adopted by a (shorthair) tuxedo the exact same way. It took a few years, but she went from half-feral to insisting on sleeping in bed with me. Miss you, Poop-poop. >^..^<
You not only gave him food and shelter bot love a bed and your hearts!
Just Two Weeks Ago, I Adopted This Tiny 5-Week Old Who Was Rescued From A Busy Wet Market In Manila. She's Now The Cuddliest In The Family
4 Years Ago I Found Him Crying On A Rainy Night & He's My Best Buddy Ever Since. Meet Mavish!
We Found Casey As A Stray (Marked With The Cut In His Ear) At A Busy Intersection. While Picking Him Up To Bring Him To Safety, I Noticed He Was Severely Underweight
We decided to take care of him and give him a warm home!
From A Tiny Rat Tale Baby Who Didn't Know How To Cat, To A Majestic Floof, Meet Yoda
I Fostered Socks And His 4 Siblings Over The Summer - Couldn’t Let Socks Go! He’s Changed So Much Over The Last Several Months!
Honestly i wouldn't be able to foster! I would end up with 100 cats probably
Someone Left A Cat In The Street When It Was Negative 30 Celsius. I Took Him Home And Found A New Family For Him. And Soon After They Sent Me This Picture (On The Right)
Bless the poster and the new parents. We have two tuxedos. Adorable.
When I Got Her She Had Eye Infections, Constant Stomach Issues, And Was Lethargic. 2 Months Later She’s Healthy And Energetic Enough To Terrorize Me Every Day
When I Adopted Her 3 Years Ago Amma Was So Sick With Cat-Flu The Vet Offered To Put Her Down. But Now She's Grown Into A Lovely Lady
From A Little Baby With A Respiratory Infection And Full Of Worms To The Biggest Sweetheart. Tobin Only Has Good Things In His Future From Here On Out
When We Adopted Her She Had An Eye Infection And Had Just Recovered From Having Worms Literally Crawling Out Both Ends
She hid behind the washing machine for days. Now she’s my sweet cuddlebug
Happy First Birthday You Feral Little Man. Please Stop Growing Now. It’s Getting Weird
This Is Riley. She Was One Of A Litter Of Fosters And I Really Thought I Might Lose Her
She wasn’t even the runt, but she was so weak. Here she is as a wee kitten, and today. 8 months later. No regrets (only the 2nd keep out of 33 fosters, so Not bad!)
My Cat, Ringo, Before And 1 Year Later After Adoption
From Tiny Terrified Rescue To Spoiled Red Spectre
My Luna has the same fish! Inherited from the big sister she never met, Ebony.
Sad Cat Showed Up At Our Barn Door Three Months Ago, Vision Impaired And With Kidney Disease- 20% Weight Gain So Far With Just A Little Tlc!
One Month Of Penny, My Foster Who Became My New Lifelong Friend
These 2 Just Turned 3 Years Old. They’ve Been Inseparable Since The Day I Found Them
Helen Was Found At 5 Weeks Old, Underweight, Flea-Ridden And Full Of Parasites. She's Now 4 Months Old, And Ready For Adoption!
Just A Couple Of Foster Fails. So Glad We Kept Them Together!
5 Years Ago Today, We Adopted The Worst "Feral" Barn Cat. Scruffles Is, However, The Most Affectionate, Talkative, And Spoiled Housecat
It's Bonya's Adoption Anniversary! From 6 Weeks To Over A Year Old
October 2017 (She Was Pregnant) vs. Now
This Is Mystee
I don't understand how people can abandon or mistreat animals like this, often the same people who won't get their animals neutered / spayed because it's"cruel".
I know! While I loved seeing the after adoption pics on these cuties, there are a lot of the before pics really pissed me off and made me want to go on a violent crusade against animal abusers!!
Load More Replies...These posts are one of my favourites (in spite of reading how some of them were found, like WTH is wrong with some people!?) All the kitties underwent such a glow-up that I almost envy them! Now to cuddle my own adopted little menace! IMG-2ea2fd...6585ad.jpg
It's amazing how beautiful a cat is when it's being taken care of properly.
I am so so glad that these kitties get helped. As another poster said - I'd have to beat some ass if I caught people doing the things they've clearly done, but it's great to see other people extending a loving hand.
Thank you ever so much from me and my cat Friday to all people who adopt a pet.
My Sunny was a neighborhood stray that started hanging around my house. I began feeding her and she came to trust me. One morning she showed up looking all dirty and pitiful, her eyes and nose were all crusty. She had a bad respiratory infection and was sneezing blood. I picked her up and rushed her to the animal hospital and saved her life. Now she is a beautifully plump house cat who gives us so much love and joy!
Sunny knew who could help her, animals know which ones are good people ❤ I'm glad she and you have found each other
Load More Replies...35 years ago I spent three days in jail, got fired from my job, paid a healthy fine & my company got sued because I beat the s**t out of a co-worker who deliberately ran over a turtle. I regret nothing.
Maybe in hell there's a really big car, a turtle costume and a reset & repeat button waiting for that co-worker
Load More Replies...My daughter and her boyfriend adopted a kitty from a shelter who was only days away from being put down. He’d been abandoned because of abuse and he has feline aids. She spoils him rotten and he gives her kitty hugs and head butts in return. I’d love to get my hands on the a-hole who abused poor Onni (Finnish for luck), broke his tail and left him with anxiety issues. He has good and bad days but the love he gets is helping him heal.
I love this post because of the compassion and love for the little babies but am at the same time furious at the cruelty of humans. You have a choice, choose kindness. Stepping off my soap box..
I don't understand how people can abandon or mistreat animals like this, often the same people who won't get their animals neutered / spayed because it's"cruel".
I know! While I loved seeing the after adoption pics on these cuties, there are a lot of the before pics really pissed me off and made me want to go on a violent crusade against animal abusers!!
Load More Replies...These posts are one of my favourites (in spite of reading how some of them were found, like WTH is wrong with some people!?) All the kitties underwent such a glow-up that I almost envy them! Now to cuddle my own adopted little menace! IMG-2ea2fd...6585ad.jpg
It's amazing how beautiful a cat is when it's being taken care of properly.
I am so so glad that these kitties get helped. As another poster said - I'd have to beat some ass if I caught people doing the things they've clearly done, but it's great to see other people extending a loving hand.
Thank you ever so much from me and my cat Friday to all people who adopt a pet.
My Sunny was a neighborhood stray that started hanging around my house. I began feeding her and she came to trust me. One morning she showed up looking all dirty and pitiful, her eyes and nose were all crusty. She had a bad respiratory infection and was sneezing blood. I picked her up and rushed her to the animal hospital and saved her life. Now she is a beautifully plump house cat who gives us so much love and joy!
Sunny knew who could help her, animals know which ones are good people ❤ I'm glad she and you have found each other
Load More Replies...35 years ago I spent three days in jail, got fired from my job, paid a healthy fine & my company got sued because I beat the s**t out of a co-worker who deliberately ran over a turtle. I regret nothing.
Maybe in hell there's a really big car, a turtle costume and a reset & repeat button waiting for that co-worker
Load More Replies...My daughter and her boyfriend adopted a kitty from a shelter who was only days away from being put down. He’d been abandoned because of abuse and he has feline aids. She spoils him rotten and he gives her kitty hugs and head butts in return. I’d love to get my hands on the a-hole who abused poor Onni (Finnish for luck), broke his tail and left him with anxiety issues. He has good and bad days but the love he gets is helping him heal.
I love this post because of the compassion and love for the little babies but am at the same time furious at the cruelty of humans. You have a choice, choose kindness. Stepping off my soap box..
