To commemorate International Homeless Animal Day, we decided to collect some of the most heart-breaking (and heart-warming) dog rescue stories we’ve ever seen and put them all in one place.
Animal shelters and rescue centers around the world have put countless volunteer hours into helping abused and homeless animals like these find loving homes. Animals on the street, especially if they are of a showier breed that needs regular hygienic care, lead very difficult lives. This day is a great opportunity to donate to your nearest animal shelter/rescue center and, if you’re looking for a new furry companion, to adopt a pet that needs your love and care.
Rasta
This poor guy was found in the streets of Montreal looking so filthy that it was hard to tell that he was actually a dog. He could barely move underneath all his matted hair. But look how charming he seems after his cleanup! (Image credits: Quebec Society for Protection Of Animals)
Miley
Miley was found living in a trash pile, severely injured and barely able to walk. Now Miley is happy and healthy, living in a new home with her new family. (Image credits: Frank Bruynbroek)
Kenzi
Kenzi came to Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin & San Antonio from San Antonio as an abuse/neglect case. Her transformation shows what some tender loving care and soothing baths. (Image credits: onepicturesaves.com)
Ellen
Trio Animal Foundation went and picked up a clump of matted fur from an open access shelter. The fur on poor Ellen’s legs was so heavy that it was starting to rip out at the root. 2 pounds of it was shaved away. Now this 2-year-old girl is ready for her new life to begin. (Image credits: Trio Animal Foundation)
Dolly
One woman spotted this little poodle eating from a trash can in Los Angeles. She reached out to Hope For Paws, which helped the little girl become fluffy and charming again, removing 10 pounds of fur from the 15-pound pooch. (Image credits: onepicturesaves.com)
Theo
Theo’s owners moved away and left the poor creature to live on the streets, where he spent about a year until Hope For Paws came to rescue him. (Image credits: Annie Hart)
Little Betty
Little Betty was abandoned by her owners. Once ashamed by her appearance, she is now ready for a new home. (Image credits: onepicturesaves.com)
Woody
Woody was dumped on the streets after his owner passed away. He hid for months and wouldn’t let anyone near him. The rescuers soon realized that the dog was blind in one eye. Despite his fear, he surrendered to the rescuers’ gentle touch. (Image Credits: Hope For Paws)
Treasure
Treasure, a 2-year-old female purebred miniature poodle, was severely neglected before being spotted by a passing motorist who brought her to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society. Because of her matted, thick, and dirty hair, she couldn’t even walk anymore, until a visit to the vet made the beautiful Treasure emerge again. (Image credits: onepicturesaves.com)
Alana
Alana was surrendered to the shelter severely matted and dirty, hardly recognizable as a dog. To give vaccinations it was mandatory to shave her completely, which revealed her being much younger than initially thought. The sweet little dog found her forever home. (Image credits: onepicturesaves.com)
Boo
Boo was brought to the CARES Community Animal Rescue & Educational Shelter in Florida after being found on the side of the road, soaking wet and stinking of urine. After being cleaned up and groomed, she weighted only 2,8 pounds and looked adorable. (Image credits: onepicturesaves.com)
Iggy
This poor guy was found barely alive in Mexico with a horrible eye infection. Someone uploaded a picture of him to Facebook, sharing his story. People were touched and donated money to transport the guy into the U.S. and treat his injury. Now it is hard to keep Iggy still – all he wants is to run around and play with everyone. (Image credits: Eldad Hagar)
Vita
A man found Vita, starving and close to death, in a junkyard in the Los Angeles area. She weighed only 70 pounds. The rescuers spent months helping her rehabilitate with good veterinary care, grooming and a proper diet, and now she’s a new dog. (Image credits: onepicturesaves.com)
Cedar
Cedar was named after the Golf Course close to where he was waiting to be picked-up by someone. He was hairless from stress, with bones poking through his skin. Since then, Cedar has found a great home with good care, where he fits right in. (Image Credits: Paaws Antigua)
Olivia
This is Olivia on the day she was taken from an animal shelter by her current owner and one year after. What a difference a year makes. (Source: imgur)
Shrek
Shrek was found barely moving, with legs covered in sores and fur caked with mud. After his excess hair was removed and his wounds were cared for, he was discovered to be a 6-year-old malti-poo dog that had been raised at a puppy mill. Soon Shrek found a loving home. (Image Credits: Park Road Veterinary Clinic)
so lucky for these dogs to have been rescued ...No animal deserves to be treated the way they were..brought tears to my eyes.
like i said b 4 the people that leave dogs 4 DEAD they should b put in the desert (no water, food) then maybe they'd get it. if not oh well
Load More Replies...
I am sick to my stomach, which is wretching, just looking at these poor things and trying to imagine how they "stuck it out" until someone
makes me feel physically sick, that people can treat animals like this.. The owners should be found and prosecuted, or put down!!
my sentiments exactly ( put the 2 legged creatures DOWN)
Load More Replies...
I think how stupid i was 2loose hope this past 2months,I wish i was 1of da ppl who rescued these lucky dogs ,i'ld defintly feel better
unfortunately there are sooooooo many dogs abandoned look, you just might save one. We've rescued 3 dogs and many cats.
Load More Replies...
These pictures make me cry, and they make me mad. How can we do this to animals that only want to love us. Send them to JAIL!!!!!!!
It's crazy how many people want dogs and forget they're family members. Do yourself a favor, if you're not ready for kids, don't get a "pet"
These people that saved these people are like an angel from Heaven and God. Thank you so much for caring for these wonderful creatures. I love these people! They do so much help! Unlike the others......
Me and my friends have been inspired. THANK YOU SO MUCH! This was a huge help and i love your articles. I'm thankful that you guys care so much and will actually do this. We were inspired to save and rescued these abused and neglected animals. Thanks so much and hope you keep finding people to save these incredible animals! I love you guys. There are so many abused animals. I hope this inspired you guys to do the same. THANK YOU!
why can ANY MORE DO THIS TO ANY ANIMAL MAKES ME SICK HOPE THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS ROT IN HELL
More proof that we are the REAL animals. We arent just subhuman, but also subanimalistic. U still think culling "humans" is wrong?
Great news for these wonderful pooches! I continue to pray for the dogs that are still abused, hungry, abondoned, and even used for senseless acts.
Great news for these wonderful poochrs! I continue to pray for the dogs that are abused, hungry, abandoned, and used for unspeakable acts.
this has inspired me and my friends to go out and save animals that have been throw c**p.because they deserve fetcher to.
I love how people can save these animals. But those people who can't even give it water is stupid! I can't believe people can do this and get away! I wish all the people that do this stuff should be locked up for eternity. Tortured.Abused. Neglected. Those people deserve that. I was literally about to cry just after the first picture. But then again, all those kind people taking care of them. Thank you to them. But those who don't, those animals deserve better!!!!
I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.| I couldn’t refrain from commenting. and i want to share with u this amazing dog blog too http://ballsanddogs.com/ thanks.
there isn't enough praises I could say about the people who helped all these babies.they are a god send for all.as for the people who did this and ignored these animals you are the lowest for of life you are not worth the air you breath.
Beautiful dogs, thank goodness they were able to be helped. Broke my heart, and it always breaks my heart even more to know that there are dogs out there who dont get this second chance at life. :(
I cried because of these poor little dogs/puppies But...Good job Hope For Paws!! I wish no more dogs will be like this in the world!!
I cried!! Poor Puppies!! I wish no puppies will be like that anymore!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is so VEREY sad DOGS ARE FAMILY AND THEY A HEART WITXH MEANS THAT THEY HAVE FEELINGS
OMG these stories brought tears to my eyes how could people be so cruel.Bless those who are rescued
IT MAKES ME CRY 2 C THT. THANKS 2 THOSE 4 BRINGING THEM 2 GET HELP. ND THANKS 2 THE VETS 4 HELPING OUR LOVED ONES.
I have a rescue dog that I named Rasta Bark Marley and he looks exactly like both the before and after pictures of this Rasta.
Tears remembering reading/seeing video before & now TearsofJoy WOWFANTASTIC GOD BLESS THEM & THOSE ANGELS WHO RESCUED THEM :) <3 <3 <3 OXO
SO HARD TO BELIEVE PEOPLE CAN NEGLECT ANIMALS LIKE THAT. IF YOU WON'T LOVE THE ANIMAL, DON'T GET IT...
Thank you to all the people that care so much to give these wonderful souls a new and better life. You guys ROCK....
Problem: ppl don't do the research, or think of pets as posessions. THEY ARE FAMILY! Dogs thrive in packs, this means their humans too!
I feel very thankful with this people who helps our friends to get a better life
There are stories my heart cannot bear for my eyes to see...but this article isn't one of them. The survival and recovery stories inspire !
Omg. But so thankful that they found someone to care for them. There are so many more who are not so lucky
.. these "Before & After" photos don't happen without the tireless endeavors of animal rescue workers ... thank you !
these "before and after" photos don't happen without the tireless endeavors of animal rescue workers who believe that they deserve better ..
Cedars old i repete OLD owners should be punisheded to made a dog LOOSE HAIR from stress and have BONES poking out is TERIBLE!!!
The difference between dogs & people is that dogs love unconditionally. All they ask is to be cared for & be fed.
I'll lick your nose and lay at your toes and all you have to do is Feed, Walk, Bathe and love me! it's not rocket science people!
I'll lick your nose and snuggle at your toes and all you have to do is love, feed, bathe and walk me :-) It's not rocket science people!
I wish my brother and I had rescued one of these dogs!!! We had to put our GSD to sleep last year. We miss her very much!!! :'(
I wish my brother and I had rescued one of these dogs!!! We had to put our GSD to sleep 1 year 8 months and 2 weeks ago today. We miss her
I can't understand how they can be so cruel to these poor defenseless animals, I wish they could spend one day in there shoes so to speak!
Jesus Christ I could not believe some of these photos. These poor babies are stronger than all of us.Love to them & the people who saved 'em
how could anyone do this to beautiful animals like dogs? It makes me disgusted at the human race!
RUBEN VALLEJO Muy buena transformacion en poco tiempo y estos animalitos estaran agradecidos toda su vida......
so lucky for these dogs to have been rescued ...No animal deserves to be treated the way they were..brought tears to my eyes.
like i said b 4 the people that leave dogs 4 DEAD they should b put in the desert (no water, food) then maybe they'd get it. if not oh well
Load More Replies... I am sick to my stomach, which is wretching, just looking at these poor things and trying to imagine how they "stuck it out" until someone
makes me feel physically sick, that people can treat animals like this.. The owners should be found and prosecuted, or put down!!
my sentiments exactly ( put the 2 legged creatures DOWN)
Load More Replies... I think how stupid i was 2loose hope this past 2months,I wish i was 1of da ppl who rescued these lucky dogs ,i'ld defintly feel better
unfortunately there are sooooooo many dogs abandoned look, you just might save one. We've rescued 3 dogs and many cats.
Load More Replies... These pictures make me cry, and they make me mad. How can we do this to animals that only want to love us. Send them to JAIL!!!!!!!
It's crazy how many people want dogs and forget they're family members. Do yourself a favor, if you're not ready for kids, don't get a "pet"
These people that saved these people are like an angel from Heaven and God. Thank you so much for caring for these wonderful creatures. I love these people! They do so much help! Unlike the others......
Me and my friends have been inspired. THANK YOU SO MUCH! This was a huge help and i love your articles. I'm thankful that you guys care so much and will actually do this. We were inspired to save and rescued these abused and neglected animals. Thanks so much and hope you keep finding people to save these incredible animals! I love you guys. There are so many abused animals. I hope this inspired you guys to do the same. THANK YOU!
why can ANY MORE DO THIS TO ANY ANIMAL MAKES ME SICK HOPE THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS ROT IN HELL
More proof that we are the REAL animals. We arent just subhuman, but also subanimalistic. U still think culling "humans" is wrong?
Great news for these wonderful pooches! I continue to pray for the dogs that are still abused, hungry, abondoned, and even used for senseless acts.
Great news for these wonderful poochrs! I continue to pray for the dogs that are abused, hungry, abandoned, and used for unspeakable acts.
this has inspired me and my friends to go out and save animals that have been throw c**p.because they deserve fetcher to.
I love how people can save these animals. But those people who can't even give it water is stupid! I can't believe people can do this and get away! I wish all the people that do this stuff should be locked up for eternity. Tortured.Abused. Neglected. Those people deserve that. I was literally about to cry just after the first picture. But then again, all those kind people taking care of them. Thank you to them. But those who don't, those animals deserve better!!!!
I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.| I couldn’t refrain from commenting. and i want to share with u this amazing dog blog too http://ballsanddogs.com/ thanks.
there isn't enough praises I could say about the people who helped all these babies.they are a god send for all.as for the people who did this and ignored these animals you are the lowest for of life you are not worth the air you breath.
Beautiful dogs, thank goodness they were able to be helped. Broke my heart, and it always breaks my heart even more to know that there are dogs out there who dont get this second chance at life. :(
I cried because of these poor little dogs/puppies But...Good job Hope For Paws!! I wish no more dogs will be like this in the world!!
I cried!! Poor Puppies!! I wish no puppies will be like that anymore!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is so VEREY sad DOGS ARE FAMILY AND THEY A HEART WITXH MEANS THAT THEY HAVE FEELINGS
OMG these stories brought tears to my eyes how could people be so cruel.Bless those who are rescued
IT MAKES ME CRY 2 C THT. THANKS 2 THOSE 4 BRINGING THEM 2 GET HELP. ND THANKS 2 THE VETS 4 HELPING OUR LOVED ONES.
I have a rescue dog that I named Rasta Bark Marley and he looks exactly like both the before and after pictures of this Rasta.
Tears remembering reading/seeing video before & now TearsofJoy WOWFANTASTIC GOD BLESS THEM & THOSE ANGELS WHO RESCUED THEM :) <3 <3 <3 OXO
SO HARD TO BELIEVE PEOPLE CAN NEGLECT ANIMALS LIKE THAT. IF YOU WON'T LOVE THE ANIMAL, DON'T GET IT...
Thank you to all the people that care so much to give these wonderful souls a new and better life. You guys ROCK....
Problem: ppl don't do the research, or think of pets as posessions. THEY ARE FAMILY! Dogs thrive in packs, this means their humans too!
I feel very thankful with this people who helps our friends to get a better life
There are stories my heart cannot bear for my eyes to see...but this article isn't one of them. The survival and recovery stories inspire !
Omg. But so thankful that they found someone to care for them. There are so many more who are not so lucky
.. these "Before & After" photos don't happen without the tireless endeavors of animal rescue workers ... thank you !
these "before and after" photos don't happen without the tireless endeavors of animal rescue workers who believe that they deserve better ..
Cedars old i repete OLD owners should be punisheded to made a dog LOOSE HAIR from stress and have BONES poking out is TERIBLE!!!
The difference between dogs & people is that dogs love unconditionally. All they ask is to be cared for & be fed.
I'll lick your nose and lay at your toes and all you have to do is Feed, Walk, Bathe and love me! it's not rocket science people!
I'll lick your nose and snuggle at your toes and all you have to do is love, feed, bathe and walk me :-) It's not rocket science people!
I wish my brother and I had rescued one of these dogs!!! We had to put our GSD to sleep last year. We miss her very much!!! :'(
I wish my brother and I had rescued one of these dogs!!! We had to put our GSD to sleep 1 year 8 months and 2 weeks ago today. We miss her
I can't understand how they can be so cruel to these poor defenseless animals, I wish they could spend one day in there shoes so to speak!
Jesus Christ I could not believe some of these photos. These poor babies are stronger than all of us.Love to them & the people who saved 'em
how could anyone do this to beautiful animals like dogs? It makes me disgusted at the human race!
RUBEN VALLEJO Muy buena transformacion en poco tiempo y estos animalitos estaran agradecidos toda su vida......
87
73