adoption
Our guide to animal adoption; learn why, where, and how to prepare to adopt a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue group.
Finding Imo
Two months had passed since the search for a white kitten began. I’d had Suna, my black cat, for five years already and I thought it was time she have a cat companion to have adventures with. Also, as newlyweds, my husband and I felt adopting a cat was a way to expand our family without having children right away. However, the search for our new family member was not going so well. I had already reached out to four different posts on Petfinder.com, none resulting in adoption. Every time, there was an adoption application already in progress or the young furball had just been taken by new cat guardians. I felt like I was a step behind every time. I never thought finding an all-white cat would feel like the search for the Holy Grail. Why an all-white cat? My husband and I are firm believers in balance and maintaining everything in harmony. Since we already had a black cat, it only made sense to get a white cat. That and I could already see myself reliving my childhood, pretending to be Sailor Moon with Artemis and Luna lounging around.
By Andrilisa Read-Iglesias Lopes5 years ago in Petlife
That’s My Girl! That’s My Chloe!
“Das my girl! Das right!” That’s what I would always say in a gargle-y, voice as if I was talking to a newborn baby. The video version has the audio for this entire story. Otherwise, scroll to keep reading. (Video/Audio has slightly different text but same story.)
By Julie "US Writer" Anne 5 years ago in Petlife
House of Fur
I’ll start off by saying that my boyfriend is the type of guy who, say, finds a bee having a rough day going in circles on the sidewalk while walking the dogs and brings it home to give it some sugar water before seeing it off. Or follows a loose dog for hours trying to coax it near enough so he can help it. Or brings home a cat he found on the street until we can find the owner. So it should come as no surprise that our house is full of furballs.
By Megan Baker (Left Vocal in 2023)5 years ago in Petlife
My partners in crime
Never thought I would see myself getting pets so soon in life. Since I was little I would visit shelters and such just to see animals. Seeing an animal on their daily walk would cause me to melt. I told myself when the time is right I would know.
By Kamora Richards5 years ago in Petlife
The Charlie Chronicles
The day we met Charlie it was warm and hazy. He was tiny, oddly cute, and different than any other dog I’ve had before. I never had a small dog, my last angel was a big goofy Golden Retriever named Biscuit, but for some reason it seemed just right. At first he was hesitant to be around people after his abandonment, on the side of the road that he had to endure. Saving him wasn't a question, but loving him was definitely the answer. After a few weeks of petting, treats, lots of love and encouragement he started to sit by us and give us the sweetest little kisses. He knew he was home and we were his family. I know he loves us with all his little heart. My cute little dachshund mix, how could anyone leave him all alone? Well, now he'll never have to think about that again. All the love, kisses (most of them in the air, he’s quirky like that), howls and walks we take, will forever put a smile on my face. He knows everything we say, he's so intuitive that way. He can also be a little trouble maker, it's part of his charm. For example, if we turn our backs for one second, he is sashaying up on the kitchen table. It’s hard not to laugh, he’s most definitely a foodie who likes to feel tall. We’ve gotten to learn he is a big, big fan of laying on top of a million soft blankets; I like to call him my little prince & the pea. My family and I have been proud supporters of the ASPCA for a long time and will always continue to be. I believe in their message of rescuing animals and the support of “No Pet Store Pups”. Many people don't know that the animals they purchase from puppy stores come from puppy mills. It’s heartbreaking to see what these mills do to these animals, it's inhumane and downright unacceptable. “Adopt don’t shop” is the motto. Charlie Brown (his nickname) is such a happy boy with his long golden body, little teeth, cute little paws and his curly cue wagging tail. He also loves to sing very loudly, I really can't keep a straight face when he does it. I love him with all my heart, I thank my lucky stars that we decided to rescue this baby dog.
By Jessica Taylor5 years ago in Petlife
Saved by You
When adopting a new pet, often times the act is seen as 'saving them' from a tormented life, or even from the possibility of death. Yet in actuality, what if it is them that saves you? Or contributes to your life in a way you hadn't realized you were in need of?
By Veronica Smeltzer5 years ago in Petlife
Adopt, Don't Shop
All dogs and cats want is a loving, caring family, and nothing makes humans’ hearts break more than reading a happy-ending adoption story. I had read some stories that, at their finest, restore your faith in humanity, thoroughly demonstrate the transformative power of compassion, and serve as a reminder that we do not choose our pets nearly as much as they choose us. I had recently been diagnosed with a heart condition and I believe that having a pet would be better for me so as to help me with the condition.
By Vashish Ramoutar 5 years ago in Petlife
Adopt, don’t shop: A critical look at the popular slogan
Domestic animal overpopulation is a global problem. In the United States alone, over 6.5 million animals enter shelters annually. Many of them find forever homes, but some never make it out. But why is that? What is causing pet overpopulation, and how can we stop it? Many people believe that the answer lies in the phrase “Adopt, don’t shop” after all, aren’t breeders to blame for this? Unfortunately, we can’t solve this problem by boycotting breeders or exclusively supporting shelters. There is hope for ending pet overpopulation, but it involves all of us. We need to change how we think about this issue.
By Alanna Weeks5 years ago in Petlife
More than a Best Friend
When two souls born in the same environment, later find each other in a new state, energies are matched. Sharing the same frequencies and continue as they move forward, they share a path of breaking the ticks that were created by unacknowledged doubted environment. Between social anxiety, attachment tendencies, unconditional love, and forgiveness, these best friends share their story. One can be told to love with conditioned affections, simply catering, as we are told don’t bite the hand that feeds us. I however, saw this story through a different perspective. This was created, by being together for a certain amount of time yes, but knowing they are always there no matter how many faults had occurred, and how many times she had traveled without the Gilda. It is about coming back to each other like nothing has changed. That is the friendship that Gilda and I have. I a 22 year old who has been across the united states, and the soon to be 12 year old Pomeranian poodle partner in crime. My birth place was Atlanta Georgia, but it didn’t take me long to find myself traveling around and ending up in Virginia. At the age of 10 I was told about my aunt having puppies and wanted to know if we would be interested. Hesitant, considering our living conditions, my mom had to make some moves to make it possible. The puppies had been born in July and needed some time with the mother before separation. After receiving pictures, questions came into play. That is not the type of dogs she had had. So where did these puppies come from?
By Valentine Casey5 years ago in Petlife
My Gypsie Girl
I stared at the Facebook post my boyfriend Rich had tagged me in, at a despondent and badly photographed black dog, slightly of the Labrador persuasion. Her neck was bent in a submissive, touching gesture of cowed despair that was moving, to say the least. All around her was dirty concrete, floor and walls. I read the caption Rich had placed above it.
By Anna Marie Biscotti Molloy5 years ago in Petlife
