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30 Pics Of Cats Before And After Adoption That Show What A Difference A Loving Home Can Make (New Pics)
Domestic pets are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, so it can be heartwrenching when they suffer due to human malice or negligence. Conversely, however, the stories of their rescue, adoption and recovery can be inspiring and heartwarming. That’s what the /r/BeforeNAfterAdoption subreddit is all about.
The subreddit actually accepts photos of all pets, but we’d like to give a special shoutout to the cats today that are living their best lives thanks to their loving owners’ care. If you need a pick-me-up or to restore your faith in humanity’s kindness and love, then this one’s for you!
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#1
Then And Now
Michelle Carlson 2 years ago
Bungus!! That's this cat's name, I'm pretty sure. I follow him on Instagram
RELATED:
#2
Biscuit: Best Thing I Ever Got From A Whataburger
He lived on the Texas streets for 2-3 years and survived the big freeze. So happy my son wanted 'Whataburger' that night at 1 am and I am so happy I said I would take him. Biscuit is the most spoiled now
#3
He Was Actually The One Who Saved Me
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
That title is spot on for how it works. I rescued my cat from an abusive home, but really she's the one who rescued me. She is everything good.
Adopting a cat is a noble decision, but it’s also one that cannot be taken lightly. It is likely that adopting a cat will require more effort on your part than accepting a young kitten or a house-broken adolescent, so weigh the decision and discuss it with your local shelter before proceeding.
If you’ve made up your mind, that means you’ve decided to do something beautiful and to accept some love into your life. With that being said, here are some tips for accepting a rescued cat into your home.
#4
My Most Recent Rescue Baby Merlin's Before And After, Cannot Thank The Rescue Center We Adopted From Enough
#5
Gigner Old Cat That We Rescued In 2022. Now He Is Adopted
Jennifer Critchley 2 years ago
When Jon kicked Garfield to the curb, Garfield fell on some hard times. He's seen and done some things, especially on Monday's! I think he looks great now, you did a wonderful thing. Now just a few hundred lasagnas to fatten him up and he'll be himself again!
Faith Nicole 2 years ago
The difference that love (and a bath) can make. Look at that beautiful orange kitty!
#6
My Sweet Orange Boy
Age matters: Kittens and mature cats are both good options, but each has their pros and cons. Mature cats are likely to already be housebroken, but they can also have learned behaviors, stress responses, and preferences that are incompatible with your home or lifestyle. Kittens are unlikely to have these issues, but they will require the same sort of work that any other kitten requires - housetraining.
#7
She Was Found Tiny And Sick On The Streets Of Brooklyn And She’s Now The Biggest Personality And The Sweetest Baby
#8
When I Was Asked To Take This Girl, I Was Told The Vet Didn't Think She Had A Chance
She was found on the highway, burned paws, emaciated, alone. After multiple vet stays, 24 hour care at my house, she went into rescue and was adopted! This is why I rescue/foster on my own. I won't give up!
ThisIsMe 2 years ago
I volunteer with a very small rescue, and we are the "never give up" type. They don't always pull through, but when they do you know you've been given a gift. Found a little girl last week, hit by a car at some point. Left leg is useless and will come off. Crooked smile from impact to front of jaw. But she eats and drinks just fine. She might always have a crooked smile, but she won't miss that leg and in a month she won't know she was ever not safe and loved!
Faith Nicole 2 years ago
Top right photo, this little sweet kitten looks so fragile, yet comfortable. Bottom photos , true colors are starting to shine through and she looks so healthy and content 💜
#9
Meet Lina. From A Scrawny Kitten With Fleas To Current Polite Angel
Illnesses: Cats who’ve suffered from neglect or abuse may have a number of health issues that can make ownership more complicated. Every cat is viable for adoption, but please consult with your shelter and/or a vet to determine whether or not you will be capable of providing the cat with what it needs to live a healthy life. In addition to visible traumas, cats that’ve spent time in poor conditions/outdoors may have parasites or illnesses that they can bring home. These illnesses may affect you or other pets you already have, but most can be screened for by a vet.
#10
Reeves Was Found After He Was Attacked By A Bobcat
I called the vet when I was on my way in. I didnt think he would make it to the vet. 2 vets told me to put him down but 1 was willing to try! After vet stays and physical therapy he recovered and was adopted
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago
Yes! I am so glad my normal vet knew I didn’t give up on my pets (I had a cat with kidney failure whom my old vets said to euthanize… Dr. F helped us and we got 6 more wonderful years together!) He fought like heck with me to keep my puppy with distemper alive. Even the vet specialists we saw advised to euthanize my pup. Pup is alive and happy and 1 1/2 years old now! He’s disabled but he loves life :)
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Faith Nicole 2 years ago
So glad this handsome boy survived the attack and is living his best life. Also, hats off to the vet who was willing to fight for this cat and not give up 💜🩵
#11
From Terrified Orphan Stray To Fluffy Queen In One Year
#12
Nimbus Glowed Up
Oskar Hauser 2 years ago
My cat is named Nimbus too (though it's short for Nimbostratus because hi fur is the color of a rain cloud)
Nay Wilson 2 years ago
I can’t tell if Nimbus is a he or a she but they’re stunningly beautiful 🙂
Be sensitive: Every cat needs an adjustment period when moving into a new home, but this is especially the case for a shelter cat that may have come from an abusive situation. Give it a small part of your home to call its own and let it expand to other parts of your house on its own when it feels ready.
#13
Mochi
#14
This Little Guy Was Left Alone In The Rain
Stargazer66 1 year ago
Looks like two different cats. The kitten above has gray fur. The bottom cat does not. The kitten has a white bib that goes down under his front legs and the bottom cat does not.
#15
Barn Cat To Lap Cat
Persephone 2 years ago
This is how I got the best cat ever! He even smiles the same while sleeping against my chest!
Set up ahead of time: Many cats will seek out a safe place out of sight as soon as you let them loose in their new home. Make sure that when they arrive, there’s already a full water and food bowl and prepped kitty litter waiting for them to see and investigate.
#16
Today Marks One Month Since I Started Fostering Baby Gremlin! I Know It’s Not Technically An Adoption, But It Will Be Once He’s Neutered!
Faith Nicole 2 years ago
This seems to be a perfect name for kitty. He looks to be a little gremlin,and I love those toe beans!!
#17
I Found This Guy Living In My Storage Shed. After Some Much Needed Dental Surgery And Months Of Living Indoors, He’s A New Man
robin aldrich 2 years ago
Yeah not everyone would be willing to go the route of having dental surgery for a cat.... I salute that person...
Load More Replies... #18
Meet Bobby!
Madeline J 2 years ago
Bobby is cute;. Bobby is fluffy. BOBBY IS THE SO DARN CUTE. I love bobby.
Give them space: Cats are cautious and territorial, so moving to a new home is a very stressful time for them. Keep in mind that you are probably quite new to them as well. It is totally normal if your cat spends several days hidden or extremely cautious as they get used to their new life. During this period, it’s important to give them space so they can observe you and your home from a place where they feel safe.
#19
Spent A Week Driving An Hour Each Way To Trap This Guy!
Chase The Lucario 2 years ago
Poor kitty looks like ita blind in one eye. What a wonderful deed to save it. It'd be tough to live only seeing with one eye. At least the one eye was able to see the love. I hope it gets to see a long happy life in the care of a good person.
#20
Before And Current Of This Rescue Boy Otto
I was 5 hours away when I saw the fb plea for helped and arranged transport to the vet and boarding and medical help until I got home 5 days later. He is thriving with care, food, love and medication and his eye looks so good!
Pangolin Pal 2 years ago
You saved his life and his vision, and now all he needs is his forever loving home. Thank you!
Courtney Christelle 2 years ago
Good thing you got him help when you did, he would’ve lost his sight otherwise.
Glynna Bowood 2 years ago
Shocking and wonderful that the eye was saved! Can he see out of it?
#21
Bulka Cat. I Rescued Her In 2021 She Was Suffering From Frozen Pregnancy And Pyometra. When I First Saw Her She Was Dieing. The Vet Gave Her 1 Percent From 100 To Survive But She Was A Fighter
SageHare37 2 years ago
I couldn't find information on frozen pregnancy, but pyometra is an infected uterus that is full of infected material. I imagine a pregnant cat with such an infection would probably stop developing kittens, thus freezing the pregnancy. After learning this, I'm not surprised the cat wasn't given good odds.
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Provide a safe space: Many experts advise “quarantining” a small part of your home to become your cat’s first stepping stone to the rest of your home. Think of it as breaking down the work of acclimating to your home into more manageable, bite-sized pieces. Once they’re ready, they’ll ask to investigate other parts of your home by meowing or pawwing the door. This tactic is especially important for isolating your cat from other pets so they don’t disrupt the acclimatization process too much.
#22
Found Him In A Parking Lot, He’s Sleeping A Lot More Comfortably Now
PlatinumTheCat 2 years ago
I have a cat who my mom also found in a parking lot. His name is Marty, because he was found in a Walmart parking lot
#23
My First Bottle Baby Foster Kittens After A Neighbor Found Them In A Rainstorm vs. Four Months Later In Their Forever Home!
Sally Signup 2 years ago
Four months? Looks more like four years later, though I'm glad they're doing well. :)
#24
Ten Years Ago Today I Went For A Walk And Came Home With A Kitten. From Tiny And Dirty To Large And In Charge: Happy 10th Gotcha Day, Melvin!
Lex <3 (they/them) 2 years ago (edited)
Lol that’s what we call my 11 y/o rescue cat (she was found in a trash can when she was a little under a year old)
These are just a few key tips for managing the process. Make sure you remain in contact with your shelter and/or chosen veterinarian. This will make the process as stress-free as possible for both the cat and you. Once they’re ready, they’re likely to be a fluffy and affectionate friend for life!
#25
Before N After From Kitten To Cat
#26
Rabbit & Cricket, 1 Year Later
#27
Found This Baby Near The Stable Wandering Around And Crying, Now Look At This Beauty!!!
#28
This Is Jonesy. He Had Been Thrown Into A Ditch. Here He Is Three Months Later
️ ️lefty libra️ 2 years ago (edited)
i cant believe people do this to animals :( its heartbreaking and some people are just... icky.
Fire Singer 2 years ago
Even if someone doesn't like animals (which is super weird to me) I still don't see how people can go out of their way to be mean and abusive to them. :(
Load More Replies... Susan Green 2 years ago
He’s beautiful. I hope that anyone who does things like throwing animals away, suffer greatly.
Faith Nicole 2 years ago
That little prance in his kitten photo. I bet he was an adorable handful of crazy kitten
#29
We Found Little Otho At A Car Wash Back In October. Doesn't Even Look Like The Same Cat Now
#30
Believe Me, It’s The Same Cat!
#31
Who Would Have Guessed Burrito Will Live? He's Turning 4 Next Month!!
Faith Nicole 2 years ago (edited)
Such a precious little one, and that little tail cast 🥹.. now look at that adorable noob of a tail, .. beautiful kitty, and that white on the tip of his munchkin tail 🥰
#32
1 Year Update! Day 1 When We Rescued Her From A Trash Can, 1 Year Later She Suddenly Turned Into A Fluff Ball 🥰
Holly Herr 2 years ago
What a truly beautiful cat! Could not have predicted this from the kitten.
#33
Meet Trinket, I Got Her To Foster The Day She Was Born, I Officially Adopted Her At 8 Weeks. My First Foster Fail, And The Biggest Grouch. I Love Her More Than Anything
Faith Nicole 2 years ago
Her little feets🥰 and what a beauty she grew up to be, beautiful coloring
#34
Before And After Of Crusty Boi™️
#35
What A Difference A Loving Home Makes
Faith Nicole 2 years ago
What a gorgeous boy❣️ All it takes Is a little bit of love and a safe place to rest your head
#36
Before And After. Toptyga Cat That I Rescued 6 Months Ago
Lex <3 (they/them) 2 years ago (edited)
Aww they looked so scared in the first pic :( poor baby
#37
I Adopted Him Like This In May 4th'22. So I Am Guessing This Is His Birthweek. Happy Birthday To My Precious, Name's Cutu (Parents Named Him. Derived From Cute) Irony Is, They Told Me Not To Keep Any Pets Now He Is Their Favorite As Well
Directionless 2 years ago
So handsome, it's fantastic to see what they become. Much love & great work
#38
One Year Ago Today, I Rescued My Baby Girl. Meet Mango
#39
Lucian Was Attacked By A Dog Before I Adopted Him
Mark Howell 2 years ago
With that collar should be called Orion. (The galaxy is around Orion's neck. MIB)
#40
Gigi After A Year In My Care. I Found Her On The Street Last Year And Decided To Rescue And Adopt Her
#41
Charlie Pippo. Spotted Him While Pulled Over In The Country On A Trip To Wisc. Brought Him Home. After A Month Of Projectile Diarrhea, We Solved His Problems And Now He’s Our Best Buddy
Fire Singer 2 years ago
Thank you for sticking it out for that first month! He looks so happy!
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago
It takes a while for their digestions to adjust to good food, after eating trash. I used to put my rescues on Iams for a couple weeks. I found it settled their stomachs, and made the litter box less revolting (not their fault, of course). I still put rescues (last one was 2 years ago) on the best quality and gentlest dog I can find.
Faith Nicole 2 years ago
Handsome boy. Love the color of his tail, it doesn't look like that color is anywhere else on him from what I can dee
#42
From Filthy, Crusty, Smelly Street Rescue To Happy, Spoiled Cat
#43
Sushi Aka Chompers. What A Difference A Year Makes
#44
This Is Ellie, We Found Her On The Streets In January 2022. We Don’t Know What Happened To His Mom Or Siblings But She Was Starving And Severely Underweight. After The Vet We Removed Over 25 Fleas. Nowadays She Sleeps Between My Legs Almost Every Night
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago
Fleas can actually cause anemia in cats, especially kittens! :( Enough fleas on a kitten can actually drain so much blood from it that it can cause health issues. Removing fleas from a rescued kitten is often a top priority once a rescuer gets it somewhere safe.
#45
Lucky About A Week After Showing Up On Our Porch At About 6 Weeks Old, And Now About 9 Months Later
#46
Gotcha Day June 14th // Just Yesterday! Baby Kahlua Is Literally Perfect For Us
Faith Nicole 2 years ago (edited)
Aww, those eyes 🥹 Photo on the left- are you sure I can stay with you? I'll be good, I promise. Photo on the right- haha, I tricked you 😁 I am going to love you for life, but I am going to be a crazy kitten , and 3 in the morning- be prepared for loud, crazy zoomies 🫢🤣🥰 Such a precious little one .💜
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Cyndielouwhoo 2 years ago
I want to upvote all of them, so awesome to have people open their hearts and homes for these fur babies.
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago (edited)
My black cat Kohl is a stray/street rescue! In December of 2016 she walked in the back door of my family business’s office. Totally friendly and unafraid, but skinny and filthy. She had a bowtie collar and a bracelet that said “MEOW” as a second collar, but no tags or chip. I put posters up and called the shelter and vets to see if anyone was missing a kitten. No one claimed her, and she’s been my Little Miss Hiss ever since! XD
PlatinumTheCat 2 years ago
I don’t know how many times I said “AWWW” and “poor baby” while reading this post
Alexandra Davis 2 years ago
All of our cats are rescues in one way or another. A pedigree rescued from a breeder who was going to 'humanely destroy' him as he's a Maine c**n but a teeny tiny runt (he's now 7 and the size of a 5-6 month old Maine c**n) and she said no one would pay pedigree prices so she would make no money. Another was dumped outside a pet shop as a kitten (probably the last of the litter) 2 were feral kittens and the only 2 we could catch, but at least mum didn't have 2 extra mouths to feed. One was a feral in the garden of a foreign family who spoke little English and one was from a family who rescued a cat who turned out to be pregnant. We've also in past had cats that we rescued from a woman who house burnt down and her indoor cat escaped and came back pregnant and an old cat likely dumped by his owners for being ill. Made sure her last few months were comfy and pain free. I will have rescue cats for as long as I live
Jiji The Cat 2 years ago
what would the best way to save one of these street kitties be? would you call a vet first, or an organisation that picks up cats to help them? there are lots of stray cats near me and i want to help a few of them :<
Talitha Jansen 2 years ago
Alle my cats are rescues, it's so rewarding. My oldest I found lying in the grass, my second I got from a shelter where I met her when I was working for animal rescue. And the last one showed up when a neighbor stopped taking care of her and she decided she liked it here better.
Cyndielouwhoo 2 years ago
I want to upvote all of them, so awesome to have people open their hearts and homes for these fur babies.
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago (edited)
My black cat Kohl is a stray/street rescue! In December of 2016 she walked in the back door of my family business’s office. Totally friendly and unafraid, but skinny and filthy. She had a bowtie collar and a bracelet that said “MEOW” as a second collar, but no tags or chip. I put posters up and called the shelter and vets to see if anyone was missing a kitten. No one claimed her, and she’s been my Little Miss Hiss ever since! XD
PlatinumTheCat 2 years ago
I don’t know how many times I said “AWWW” and “poor baby” while reading this post
Alexandra Davis 2 years ago
All of our cats are rescues in one way or another. A pedigree rescued from a breeder who was going to 'humanely destroy' him as he's a Maine c**n but a teeny tiny runt (he's now 7 and the size of a 5-6 month old Maine c**n) and she said no one would pay pedigree prices so she would make no money. Another was dumped outside a pet shop as a kitten (probably the last of the litter) 2 were feral kittens and the only 2 we could catch, but at least mum didn't have 2 extra mouths to feed. One was a feral in the garden of a foreign family who spoke little English and one was from a family who rescued a cat who turned out to be pregnant. We've also in past had cats that we rescued from a woman who house burnt down and her indoor cat escaped and came back pregnant and an old cat likely dumped by his owners for being ill. Made sure her last few months were comfy and pain free. I will have rescue cats for as long as I live
Jiji The Cat 2 years ago
what would the best way to save one of these street kitties be? would you call a vet first, or an organisation that picks up cats to help them? there are lots of stray cats near me and i want to help a few of them :<
Talitha Jansen 2 years ago
Alle my cats are rescues, it's so rewarding. My oldest I found lying in the grass, my second I got from a shelter where I met her when I was working for animal rescue. And the last one showed up when a neighbor stopped taking care of her and she decided she liked it here better.
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