When you adopt a pet you're not only bringing home a new best friend, you're ensuring that an animal in need has a loving home for life. The pride that pet parents feel when they adopt is contagious—and thousands of people are discovering the amazing benefits of adoption every day. Read some of their stories:
"An older lady visited our shelter to adopt a cat companion. In fact, she ended up taking home two kittens. When we called her to inquire how her newly extended family was doing, her response was 'I haven't laughed this hard since my husband passed away a year ago.' We still tear up over her response and are so grateful she has the opportunity for happiness again."
—Deb Zuger Lyons, director of Customer Relations and Community Outreach, Monadnock Humane Society, West Swanzey, N.H.
"I adopted Boo Radley, a 3-month-old male Albino Pekingese, from an animal shelter. The shelter staff must have known we were meant for each other. They were all so supportive and helpful throughout the adoption process and beyond. Boo Radley brings me such joy."
—Judy Evancho, adopting from Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, Fort Wayne, Ind.
"We adopted a 14-year-old beagle who ended up in a shelter because his owner had died. We couldn't believe that no one would want a sweet old dog, so Elroy joined our family. It was the best thing we could have done because he fit right into our lives and was the most calm, easy-going, lovable dog."
—Ken and Susan Nussbaum, adopting from Frontier Animal Society, Orleans, Vt.
Sue Rackham was a regular volunteer at her local animal shelter when she noticed a purebred Golden Retriever puppy that had just been rescued from a puppy mill two days before.
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| Sue Rackham |
| Buddy came from a puppy mill. |
Buddy was 12 weeks old and terrified from the ordeal of living his first months of life in a mass breeding facility. Sue recognized the love and life that Buddy had hidden inside him, and after speaking to her husband, adopted Buddy from the shelter. Today Buddy is happy and playful and loves to pull socks off her feet. Sue says, “It was love at first sight! I will never buy a dog from a breeder. Shelter dogs seem so grateful and know that they have another chance at a happy life. Buddy is a treasure!”
—Sue Rackham, adopting from North Central Iowa Humane Society, Fort Dodge, Iowa
"We adopted Dusty the rabbit from our local animal shelter. He had been abused by his previous owner and had been at the shelter almost two months. Now a house rabbit, he kicks up his heels in delight as he races around the coffee table, and he loves when we pet him. Even more surprising, he started using his litter box right away! It took him a few days to get used to us, but now he follows us from room to room and, when he really wants our attention, he zips in circles around our feet making little honking sounds under his breath! He's quite adorable."
—Suzanne Summers, adopting from Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Fairfax, Va.
"I adopted two little gerbils a few days before Christmas from a local rescue group. It's been two years since I adopted Pinkie and Inkie, and they've been nothing short of happy and healthy. If it weren't for the caring people at Small Angels Rescue I wouldn't have these amazing pets. They truly care for these animals, and I urge anyone looking to adopt a little pet to rescue or adopt an animal in need."
—Colleen Parker, adopting from Small Angels Rescue, Frederick, Md.
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| George Bednekoff |
| Ashley is now a therapy cat. |
"I went to several animal shelters to find a playmate for a stray kitten that had adopted me. At Operation Kindness a very outgoing kitty immediately jumped into my lap, put her paws on my chest, and looked straight into my eyes. Adopting that little cat, Ashley, led to years of volunteer work at Operation Kindness. Ashley has also been visiting nursing homes since 1994. She will calmly sit in the laps of residents while they pet her and tell stories of their past cats. She has done more public service work than any other cat I know."
—George Bednekoff, adopting from Operation Kindness, Carrollton, Texas
"One cold day, a newly-engaged woman came into our shelter with her fiancé looking to adopt a kitten. Well, they ended up adopting two, because the two kittens had become such close friends in the shelter. Once they arrived at their forever home, Lola and Aloha quickly settled in and became inseparable. Now their mommy and daddy are married and are looking for a new house so they will have more room for their kitties! Their friends joke that they're the only newlyweds they know with two cat children."
—Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Alexandria, Va.
"Anyone can buy an animal. It takes a hero to adopt one."
—Gina Brown, Founder of Spring Hill Horse Rescue, Inc., North Clarendon, Vt.
"Since working at the shelter, I have seen so many amazing and sweet animals find good homes. Once we had a stray dog come in whom we believed was a Sheepdog because his hair was so long. Because my coworker and I spent so much time grooming him, we got to know his personality well. He was one of the funniest and most playful dogs we'd ever known! He was adopted by a family who fell in love with him. Little did they realize that they had fallen in love with a Wheaton Terrier—we just couldn't tell from all the hair!"
—Amanda Billings, Lees Summit Animal Shelter, Lees Summit, Mo.
"I am grateful that I decided to adopt Loopy Luke from a shelter. He is a purebred German Shepherd, and smart as can be.
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| Kimberly Anderson |
| Luke is loving his new life. |
We take car rides at least once a week and he knows his name. And when he smiles it is so cute. Since my 11-year-old dog recently passed away, Luke is a great comfort. His affections help me to not feel so empty. Luke and I have bonded, and he is here to stay. Luke had a tough existence before he was rescued by the shelter, but he seems to appreciate his new home even more because of his past. If you ever see Luke's former owner, please let him know that Luke is well-cared for and extremely loved."
—Kimberly Anderson, adopting from Fayette County Animal Shelter, Peachtree City, Ga.
"I adopted Dori, a white dwarf hamster who touched my heart in a special way. She had pituitary problems which caused glandular problems, hair loss, and enlarged breast tissue. She looked like a poodle! She was an awesome hamster who taught me to just live life and don't sweat the small stuff. She was a sassy girl, and I'm so glad she was brought into my life. Dori proved that special needs pets can be just as great as others! I have adopted other hamsters and will continue to adopt from shelters."
—Lindsay Bengough, adopting from Small Angels Rescue, Frederick, Md.
"Chenoa, which means 'white dove', is our angel. She is a puppy I adopted from Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. When you look into her eyes you can see a glimpse of her past sadness—so innocent, but full of wisdom. And she offers so much love. We are forever grateful to those organizations that rescued her. She has enriched our lives so much—I can't imagine life without her now."
—Eileen Brady-Whitney, adopting with the help of Noah's Wish, El Dorado Hills, Calif., and Office of Animal Control, Slidell, La.
Updated March 29, 2007
