50 Before-And-After Photos Of Cats That Found Their Forever Homes
Interview With ExpertThere’s no doubt that adopting a pet can change your life. Suddenly, you have a new best friend who will always be eagerly waiting by the door when you return home. But this experience can be equally transformational for the little creature that you’ve decided to welcome into your family, and this list is definitely proof of that.
We took a trip to the Before N After Adoption subreddit and gathered some of their most adorable photos of kitties down below. Some of these cats have clearly been through a lot in life, but since being adopted into loving homes, they’re now thriving! Enjoy scrolling through this heartwarming list, and keep reading to find conversations with Bonne VeVea, Executive Director of MEOW Cat Rescue, and Emily Verna, President of Furry Friends Rescue!
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Before And After We Found Our Girl, Chloe. She Was 4 Weeks Old When Found, She’s 11 Years Old Now
Cats only cross their paws like that when they feel supremely safe in their environment, since it takes that split second longer to uncross their paws if they have to get up and run.
Found In A Thunderstorm On The Side Of A Highway, Nearly Passing Away- 2 Months Later She’s My Thriving Velcro Kitty!
Before And After In One Week. My Recent Rescue - White Cat With Diaphragmatic Hernia. Twp Days Ago He Had A Surgery And He Had Only 10% Chance To Survive. And He Sucessed
According to Shelter Animals Count, over 1,565,000 cats entered shelters and rescues in the United States during the first half of 2024. And millions of other kitties around the globe are patiently waiting to be adopted into their forever homes. While it sadly doesn’t happen for every kitty, it’s absolutely heartwarming when precious cats, like the ones featured on this list, finally are united with families.
To find out more about this topic, we got in touch with Bonne VeVea, Executive Director of MEOW Cat Rescue. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss the transformations that kitties can undergo after being adopted into loving homes.
Day Of Adoption And One Month Later. My Sylvester
Crusty Kitty Transformed Into Cuddle Bug
3 Months Apart. Turns Out Gregory Did Love Astronomy!
"Only the most confident of cats will not experience a period of transformation after being adopted," Bonne shared. "Many shelter cats and kittens have lived through uncertainty, possibly hunger and fear, even illness or injury. Change, even positive change, can be daunting."
"But soon they recognize kindness in their new humans, and the effects of that can be seen as their body language changes," the cat expert says. "They begin responding to a soft voice and a gentle touch. Their eyes may blink slowly, and their faces change. They are more comfortable with closeness. They're becoming family."
My Cat Has Officially Lost Half Of His Body Weight!! He Is So Much More Active And Healthy ♥️
Around here, that neatly clipped ear is a sign that a stray has been caught, neutered, and released by the municipality.
Three Month Before And After Of Our Former Street Cat, Adonis!
Desi Showed Up In My Yard, Eating Garbage And Licking Dry Plates Of Old Cat Food
But it's important to know that there's no exact formula when it comes to how long a cat will take to adjust to their new home. "The time it takes for a cat to truly become comfortable depends on so many factors," Bonne says. "It would be unwise and unfair to have unrealistic expectations. It is up to the adopter to accept a new pet as they are and then gently help them to become their best selves over time."
From The Streets Of Tunisia To The Alps, These Two Little Rescued Siblings Finally Found Peace
The Day I Found Trixie In A Bush vs. Tonight
No Longer Frowning
We also asked Bonne if she could share some of the most important things that all prospective cat adopters should know. "This is a lifelong commitment. Take it slow. If there should be issues or questions, reach out for advice," the expert noted. "Approach this new relationship without expectations, but with love and kindness, acceptance and patience, an open heart. You are beginning a wonderful experience that will probably change lives - theirs and yours."
My GF's Cat. They Don't Know Her Whole Story But Needless To Say She Was Severely Neglected
A Year Ago, Adopted Baby Baldur. He’s Had A Bit Of A Glow Up
She Was Rescued 1 Month Ago Today!
Finally, Bonne shared a beautiful story of a cat named Boyko, one of five so far who have come to MEOW from a pop-up shelter in Ukraine.
"His whole saga has been storybook, from being trapped as a young feral on the front lines of the war between Ukraine and Russia, to his struggles learning to trust humans while at the shelter there and also in the U.S., to being adopted by a lovely young Seattle couple (she being from Ukraine, and he from Russia)," Bonne explained. "Boyko, now Shprot, has had quite a journey, and sharing his story in Bored Panda would be such an honor."
This Is A Very Sickly Yuki The Day I Got Him vs. Now (6 Years Later)
Philomena
99-Day Difference
To learn even more about this topic, we also got in touch with Emily Verna, President of Furry Friends Rescue. She was also kind enough to answer a few questions for Bored Panda and discuss how long it usually takes for kitties to get comfortable in a new home.
"It aways take a few days to weeks for a kitten or cat to adjust to a new home and new people," Emily says. "Best to start the cat in their own room to relax and feel safe with food, water, scratching posts and bed."
A Brave Little Cat
Omg I hope the man in the car gets ‘accidentally tangled under a car’ himself
Two Kittens - Before And After
Tinker Before And Six Months After Adoption
"Depending on the cat's personality, some warm up sooner than others that might be shy until they feel safe and can trust his or her new people," the expert continued. "Kittens adjust sooner than adult cats. But usually, a social, friendly cat can adjust in a few days to 2 weeks."
This Is What 6 Months Of Love, Food, And Cuddles Looks Like. 💕
Hi, I’m Fynn. This Is My Rescue Glow-Up. 🐾
Ooh, a Maine C00n! If I ever adopted a cat I'd like it to be one of those.
2.5 Months After Rescue. My 12-Year Old Munchkin Cat, Rescued From The Kitten Mill. The Cytology Results Are Negative For Cancer ❤️ She Is Completely Ok Now
People who run animal mills should be removed from the planet immediately.
And what do prospective cat owners need to know before adopting a new family member? "With healthy food and an indoor-only cat, they can live to 20 years or even older, " Emily says. "Feed moisture and more holistic/fresh foods. Research for best quality brands. Low quality food can harm the cat and shorten their lives."
"Avoid over vaccinating, and avoid pesticides if possible. All listed on our our holistic care and food pages on our website," she continued. "We only feed holistic food and treats with added supplements (i.e. probiotics), so our rescue dogs and cats get healthy and happy!"
Skinny To Floofy
2 Years Since I Found Cinnamon On The Street🫶🏽
I Found Hamlet In The Dumpster, Now He’s My Best Friend 🍊🤍
"To be taken by loving arms from a SEA of troubles, and by kindness; end them!"
Is this list giving you serious kitten fever, pandas? We hope you enjoy your journey through the rest of these heartwarming pics, and feel free to share the story of your own cat's transformation in the comments below. Keep upvoting the photos that make you say, "Awww!" And if you're interested in checking out even more adorable photos of cats, we've got another Bored Panda list that's going to be right up your alley right here!
Meet Ned - From Sick And Depressed From Being Alone, To Playful, Happy, And Healthy In His Forever Home!
Meet The Earl Of Lemongrab
I love the tweet that says something like cats all have majestic names, but were found near a bin/stray/abandoned etc, but dogs with all their pedigrees are called Charlie, or Fido. All my cats have titles too!
Terrence
She Was Homeless But We’re The Ones Who Found Our Home In Her 🩷
Little Buddy Showed Up On Our Porch Exactly 2 Years Ago Today 🧡
Before And After Adoption. My New Rescued 12 Yo Cat. He Was Hit By A Car 6 Months Ago And The Owner Refused To Treat Him. He Had A Broken Jaw. Now He Is A Big, Toothless, Affectionate Cat
One Year Difference; From A Little Hairless Runt Found In The Grass, To A Spoiled Princess Ruling The House
We Weren't Sure She Was Going To Make It, But Hard Work Paid Off. My Lil' Viking Astrid
She Showed Up During The Hardest Time Of My Life. My Little Petal!
Deaf Beliashka From The Kitten Mill (Now Adopted). Before And After
Congenital sensorineural deafness ... Deafness is common in white cats than in those with other coat colours.
Before And After. My New Rescue. Milun Cat. 4 Surgeries (Ct Scan With Contrast) In 95 Days. Traumatic Hernia, Rotten Teeth, Glass In The Stomach And Pelvic Fracture
7 Years Of Being A Stray Cat vs. 1 Year As A House Cat
I Found Her, Thought She Was A Stray. Turns Out She Belonged To A Family That Just Wanted An "Outdoor Only" Cat
In the shelters here they have what they call farm cats: cats who are not socialised but would thrive somewhere where they can be outdoors but fed
Before And After. Bonya. I Found Him A Year Ago At The Dachas. His Fur Was Fully Knotted And Entangled And We Had To Shave Him + He Had A Big Traumatic Hernia On His Belly. Now He Has Been Adopted For A Year And Is Unrecognizable
His Fur Was Fully Knotted And Entangled And We Had To Shave Him + He Had A Big Traumatic Hernia On His Belly. Now He Has Been Adopted For A Year And Is Unrecognizable
The Night I Brought My Cat Max Home And 5 Years Later
Flea When I Rescued Him From The Road vs. Flea Today :)
Before And After Adoption. Miss Whiskers. I Noticed Her On 22th Of September 2024 Near Big Shopping Mall And Used A Cat Trap To Catch Her
Oh my, it's the lady version of my boy Preacher! Down to the regal "bow down to me, peasant" expression XD preacher_i...ba2095.jpg
Lola's Recovery
She Is Circe, It Has Only 3 Months With Us And The Difference Is Very Noticeable
Loki The Day I Caught Him vs. Two Years Later
Rex The Chimney Cat
From Matted Fur And A Home With 7 Other Cats To A Complete Lovebug
Before And After Adoption. Biba And Boba. I Was Asked To Rescue Them From The Forest Camp. They Were Found On The Main Road There More Than A Year Ago
Jeffy When We Met vs. Now
Stetson My Fiv+ Stray Who Is Loving The Housecat Life
Lucille 3 Went From A Scraggly Underweight Kitten With A Nose Infection To An Uncontrollable Diva
I Rescue Around 200+ Cats A Year Plus Tnr And Sometimes We Get Some That Have Such Incredible Transformations! Meet Hansel! Found Crying, Unable To See Outside And Now He's A Happy Healthy Boy!
8 Day Difference
Pip: Before & After
Abandoned In The Rain 4 Months Ago
How It All Started
Stuart 💙
Meet Nemo!
From Abandoned By The Factory Gate To Fluffy Royalty
Found Cold And Hungry Beside The Road. Sodapop Then And Now, One Year Later
Four Months Ago I Adopted Him. Look How He Has Changed 🐱🐈💗
Found An Abandoned 4 Oz Kitten
Inky Davinki Inky Da Stinky
Trixie - From Stray To Forever Home
Rainey When We Found Her And 6 Months Later
Greetings From Tolia. I Rescued Him Almost A Year Ago. After Parasite Treatment, Vaccination, Tolia Was Adopted (On On The Second Of June)
Maple Has Come So Far In Only A Year
Meet Fish
Goose Went From Dumpster Kitten To A Fat And Happy Cat
Almost A Month With My Tippy Girl
Lava Is One Whole Year Off The Streets :)
Very Affectionate Stray Showed Up With A Bad Respiratory Infection, No Longer Eating
Then 🥹 And Now 😍
Laszlo Before/Shortly After Adoption vs. Now
Found These Two By The Housing Shacks Of Some Mechanics, Ironically Bordering A Palace And Right On The Highway
Found A Stray, Kept Her! Mitsy Then And Now, 6 Months Later
From Dumpster Baby To Fancy Boy
Today Marks 3 Years Since I Saw This Shelter Pic & Fell For This Gal. Swipe For Literal Glow-Up
My Run-In With The Cds: Mango’s Glow Up
I utterly adore cats. I love them. I don't care about breed, colour, temperament etc. I just love them all. People who abandon/neglect/dump/mistreat cats give me rage like nothing else. Thank gods there are people out there who care.
My cat-loving dog found two tiny kittens in my backyard at the end of May. I already had three kittens I'd adopted in December/January, but of course I kept the two sibs XD Top photo is them in my older cat's carrier on the night I pulled them out from underneath the table in the backyard, hissy, terrified, and feral. The tabby bit me quite badly during retrieval XD The other two pics are the same kittens a few weeks later - happy, content, and safe. They're super friendly and snuggly now. Their names are Spicecake (Spicy) the tux girl and Joseph the brown tabby boy (he's named after my favorite musical when I was a kid, lol.) joseph_and...46233e.jpg
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat?
Load More Replies...I utterly adore cats. I love them. I don't care about breed, colour, temperament etc. I just love them all. People who abandon/neglect/dump/mistreat cats give me rage like nothing else. Thank gods there are people out there who care.
My cat-loving dog found two tiny kittens in my backyard at the end of May. I already had three kittens I'd adopted in December/January, but of course I kept the two sibs XD Top photo is them in my older cat's carrier on the night I pulled them out from underneath the table in the backyard, hissy, terrified, and feral. The tabby bit me quite badly during retrieval XD The other two pics are the same kittens a few weeks later - happy, content, and safe. They're super friendly and snuggly now. Their names are Spicecake (Spicy) the tux girl and Joseph the brown tabby boy (he's named after my favorite musical when I was a kid, lol.) joseph_and...46233e.jpg
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat?
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