National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is on April 30. To celebrate, NPR wants to know how your pet has changed your life. We would also love to see photos of your purr-fect fur-ever friend.
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This is my shelter cat Luna, who we adopted in March 2020. I had lost my long-time rescue in late 2019 and felt a pretty big hole in my heart that got bigger when lockdowns kicked in. We adopted her just before a pause in adoptions. She is loved by our kids and even our dog!
This is Typha. I adopted her 6 years ago. I had just graduated college. I was in a job where I worked alone all day and came home to an empty apartment. My friends were all still in school and far away. I had very little money. She was 8 years old, recovering from they think a dog attack that left 🧵
That left her with scar tissue in her throat which causes her to rattle and squeak as well as potential neurologic issues (thus the pupils being different sizes). It is the best money I've ever spent. She helped me take better care of myself then and 5 years later when I was getting divorced.
She has been a constant source of comfort that forces me to take better care of myself so I can provide her what she deserves. She loves sink water, sleeping by my feet, scowling at the younger cats, and going for walks.
Skippy is our 15 year old pug. We’ve had him since he was 3 months old. He’s been doing beer reviews and posts with me for the past few years. He’s the best dog ever.
We are on our third shelter pup. They give such unconditional love. If you feel no one cares, walk into your house and your pup will certainly let you know you are important.
Adopted Oreo Elizabeth, (Orry). House was very empty, very quiet after my 21 year old son moved out. Needed something to love and found her. As I will be 60 next year and she will be 2 in May, we will grow old together. She is my reason to get up in the morning.
Oh my goodness, my heart… Russian Blues are such sweethearts. Eppy attached to Salem within an hour of them being introduced and they’ve been bonded ever since. I’m so in love with the breed now I’m convinced they’re all little lovebugs 💕💕
I’ve had 4 from a shelter, 3 strays, and one inherited pet as an adult we’ve had love, laughs, disaster, pain, death and everything in between. They have made a lasting mark on me and my family and it has always been worth it. I’d be happy to discuss it.
This is Gyllden with her new 4 month old little sister Kya. We got Kya 2 weeks ago from Golden Rescue Canada. She was
an owner surrender....their loss is our gain. They both have filled our days with much happiness.
Freya was found on the streets of Mexico. I met her at a shelter in Oregon when she was 1. She was scared and would run and hide under things. 3 years have passed now and we’re in love. We are each other’s protectors and cuddle buddies. She gives me a big serotonin boost!
This is my Rowdy. I got him just before thanksgiving, and he’s six months old now. I lost my mom about a year before and he has helped me heal, given me someone to love.
Reagan (name after Tom Selleck’s character on Blue Bloods) was found as a stray in Baltimore. Thanks to LabRescue for the past 11 yrs I’ve had the best rescue ever. I spend a lot of time laughing at how he doesn’t wake up well, has phenomenal internal clock, and loves to give hugs.
My husband and I have adopted three beautiful girls from our local Humane Society. They've been the most wonderful little furbabies we could ever have! My brother also has a rescue cat who bosses him around like a child. We appreciate all the work that Animal Shelters do! 💚🐈🐈⬛
Salem was a foster fail during the height of the pandemic. The NYC shelters were overrun and black cats are overlooked so I knew I had to give him a home. He got me through lockdown, the end of a 6 year relationship, and more. He is half of my heart and I love him so dearly.
I adopted my lovely dog Popcorn from muddy paws rescue in NYC. He has benefited my life in so many ways it’s hard to describe. Having a pet is work, but it’s so worth it.
People without dogs are missing out on the humbling joy it is be a dog’s person. It’s an unbelievable thing that of all the people in the world, you can be their obvious favorite, but it’s true. Go save a life today and enrich your own.
We rescued a dog and cat who are Best Frenemies Forever. (The dog had two families abandon him. We don't know why because he's the sweetest dog you could meet.) They bring joy and a bit of chaos into our lives. They think everyone who visits the house comes to see them.
My little hairy son, Casco. Found wandering in the south side of Chicago at approx 5 months of age, weighing 5 lbs. He’s my best bud and constant companion. I didn’t know that you could love a dog as much as I love him, or that he would give that, and so much more back.
How can I pick just one? The Aussie and the black terrier came from the County dog pound. The other was a Rez Dog from a rescue in Albuquerque. Rosie (the terrier) was my son’s therapy dog for 16 years before she passed last October at age 17. We just lost the big Aussie Cody to cancer at age 10. 🧵
The Rez Dog (Cora #Coradorable) got me through the pandemic. She owns me. The female Aussie (Reba) is 15 now & still going strong. She has been the best ranch dog. We just took in 2 more awesome shelter dogs, Gemma #TheOtter (Choc Kelpie puppy HSUS) and Karma (McNab shepherd). #RescueIsTheBestBreed
These dogs tell a 20-year story of love, adventure, family, comfort, laughs, and eventual heartbreaking goodbyes. We are committed to rescue. It’s true what they say … we intend to rescue them and in the end, they rescue us … in so many beautiful ways. 💝
I had gone to the shelter to meet a different dog, but she wasn’t a good fit. But then they brought in Greta, and she put her head in my lap and stared into my eyes. Then, when I got down on the floor with her she burped right in my face. She came home that day and we just love our lil girl! 🥰
FYI: Greta came to us from Milwaukee Area Animal Care and Control (MADACC). She was picked up as a stray and was chipped but her previous human companion declined to collect her. Their loss. She’s the sweetest dog!
Yes this crazy pup has made my world more fun! I get my daily walks because of her. The family gets some laughs and snuggles. The good girl receives love from everyone.
This is our county animal shelter rescue baby! We rescued him after he was surrendered by his original family of 9 years. He is the absolute sweetest and it feels like he’s been in our family forever!
All are rescues!
Photo 1: Meryl and Tallulah after a bath.
Photo 2: Tallulah gets caught about to harass Peanut.
Photo 3: Peanut about a week after we rescued her.
Photo 4: Chickadee being her total self.
Tallulah passed way from a brain tumor in ‘23. The rest are still with us and thriving!
Coco Chanel is my ADA service dog and we just went to Europe together December 24-January 16, 2025..she's angel baby, France her favorite big Miss Kittin fan
This is our foster boy, currently up for adoption through fu love haven!! His name is Dodge, a little over 2 yrs. neutered. He is loving the country life, space to play, and snuggle with his peoples for naps and bed time! He would be best with kiddos over 10, as he doesn’t know he’s all muscle 💗💗
But there's a coup happening and yall are not reporting on it with the same stringency as you normally would or should be? Maybe less (cute!) shelter dogs and more into on how to fight back against the authoritarians destroying democracy?
She has been my life preserver. I adopted her, the agency said she was a street dog. I don’t know about that, as soon as she walked into my house, she went straight for the recliner. I love her dearly.
The cats Dee (R) and Frank (L) are from a neighbor. Both pooches Nora (L) and Lola (R) are recuses. Now that we are empty nesters they definitely fill a void.
6 yrs ago we adopted Mercy from Animal Control .. a puppy mill mom left to starve in the desert with 2 puppies. It didn't take her long to trust us.
She's a happy, healthy, spayed, gentle girl & she stole our hearts.
Dax and Bodhi, my two former shelter boys. They are the best dogs ever and they are my family. The former owners really missed out on these two. Best buds ever !!!!
My two fur babies were rescues. They were found under a car in the Bronx by a police officer who took them to Bronx Tails Rescue. I’d never had pets other than fish. They’ve completely changed my life. Unfortunately we recently lost Reilly to a stomach mass but Ryan (orange) still going strong.
For the longest time, I was trapped in a daily battle with myself, weighing whether to keep going or not. Then one day, my girlfriend came home with a rescue puppy. That unconditional love, it rewrote everything. Pets aren’t just companions, they’re lifelines.
I never had pets growing up and wasn’t so sure. Luckily some friends had the nicest cats ever and so we gave it a try. Fred and Margie came from the Humane Society and it’s been love ever since.
Love this. Everyone at my local shelter goes above and beyond to support animals in their care and help find them loving homes. There is something so special about communities coming together to donate, volunteer, foster and adopt. Truly life changing. 😍
10 years ago this little nugget decided I should adopt her. Wrapped herself around my neck. That was that. She’s now a very big kitty at 15 lbs. Miss Ruby Jewel, yes, named after the ice cream cookie sandwiches.
Sir H was tied to a tree by his former owner and lived for six months at the humane society in my rural hometown. I had mourned a prior rescue for two years when I saw saw his photo on the shelter’s website. I drove six hours to pick him up shortly before COVID hit. We definitely rescued each other
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an owner surrender....their loss is our gain. They both have filled our days with much happiness.
My heart 💙
https://bsky.app/profile/niallharbison.bsky.social/post/3llypj4opac2d
Photo 1: Meryl and Tallulah after a bath.
Photo 2: Tallulah gets caught about to harass Peanut.
Photo 3: Peanut about a week after we rescued her.
Photo 4: Chickadee being her total self.
Tallulah passed way from a brain tumor in ‘23. The rest are still with us and thriving!
Now, have been ever since. Like 80 years!
Super cute article, really. Adorable.
But there's a coup happening and yall are not reporting on it with the same stringency as you normally would or should be? Maybe less (cute!) shelter dogs and more into on how to fight back against the authoritarians destroying democracy?
She's a happy, healthy, spayed, gentle girl & she stole our hearts.