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.

The Gift That Keeps Giving
On the 12th of March 2019, a white cat with black and orange spots walked into my life. Well, Teetee didn't actually walk, she limped. Let me go back to the beginning.
By Tina S5 years ago in Petlife
You Are My Person Forever
August 11, 2014 is a day that will forever be etched into my memory. It was a soggy and humid rainy Monday in Chicago, and it was also the day legendary actor Robin Williams died.
By Jennifer Gulbrandsen5 years ago in Petlife
Stevie's Here
Stevie’s Home Stevie the Brittany’s Story of Claiming Our Family as His Stevie came to us as a Foster dog a year before he officially became a member of the family. We tried hard to find him his own family for a year or so before we stopped resisting his Brittany choice – the choice he had made despite our intentions – the day he moved in.
By KJ Aartila5 years ago in Petlife
The Stray Bandit
“ I don’t know how you do it. How can you stand to work here every day and look at all the sad animals?” I got this question a lot. Mostly, from people who thought that they cared about animals more than I did.
By Emery Garner5 years ago in Petlife
I Am Not A Cat Person
I am not a cat person. I am also not a rodent person, snake person or ferret person. But my daughter is freaking Snow White and animals are drawn to her. She has a knack for fixing broken, abandoned or unwanted animals and finding new homes for them.
By J Magnuson5 years ago in Petlife
Fostering Maple Syrup
I had really enjoyed being a foster mom for the Animal Welfare Association in my area over the course of the past year. I had specialized mostly in bottle feed kittens up until December of 2012. It was so rewarding watching them grow up, helping them to become the great kittens who would find great homes. Then came December of 2012 followed by 2013. It wasn’t an easy year for fostering.
By Rita DeStefano5 years ago in Petlife
The Wanderby Whose Name Means "Gift"
Liwu at the Harbor, Fort Bragg, CA 2009 I still remember the day that he came into my world. It was shortly after Hurricane Katrina had forced us to relocate to Baton Rouge, and I was feeling lonelier than I had in a long time. I had been praying and asking for a friend and spending my days in bed, feeling sorry for myself.
By Lena Beana5 years ago in Petlife
Mack
Mack. That’s the name of the gentlest, kindest, most protective, best behaved dog that ever lived. Mack is the name that a speech delayed three-year-old gave to the puppy that no one wanted, jet black with cigarette burns over his body. Mack is the name of the dog that never bit anyone but looked fierce and was loyal to a fault.
By J Magnuson5 years ago in Petlife
"I'll Take Them All"
The bright Carolina sun caused Maria to squint as she looked out the car window. What was that mess on the side of the road? Was it really a dog crate full of puppies or was she crazy? Maria couldn't believe it, she wasn't crazy. "For Sale $50 each," the sign on the dog crate read. The dog crate that had one mama and five puppies crowded into it. Maria's heart sank. She pulled over and shut off her car. She instinctively picked up her phone and dialed Heidi.
By Jamie Lynn Wilson5 years ago in Petlife
The Kitten with Mittens
It was the Summer of 2020. Covid had become the norm at this point, and more and more time was being spent at home. Although strictly speaking I was an indoor kind of gal anyways. I would much rather trade a night out on the town for a cozy night at home, cuddled up with my cat Puddin’. The little furry love of my life. Puddin’ my thirteen-year-old blue-eyed sweetheart. It had just been Puddin’ and I for over a decade. Being a cat lover, I always thought I would have multiple feline friends, but Puddin’ never got along well with other kitties. I never thought in a million years there would be another creature coming into my life. Well, I was wrong. This is the story of Remmington Mittens.
By Chelsea Westbrook5 years ago in Petlife
Diamond
"Heaven!, What's that in your hands?" I was walking toward her trying to get a closer look but I couldn't quite see what she was holding. Whatever it was it was practically falling out of her arms. The closer she got the better I could get a look to see the hair that it had all over it's body and the "Meow".
By K. Waterss5 years ago in Petlife
Unforeseen Happenstance
I check the time on my phone and jump up. The studio is about to close. Quickly gathering my art supplies and canvas, I lock the door behind me and make my way to the front of the Fine Arts building. I still need to walk across campus and by this time all the shuttle buses have stopped running. Stepping into the dark night I realize it’s raining, it must have started sometime in the afternoon without me noticing. It’s my own fault and lacking a proper jacket or an umbrella I start my long walk back to the residence. There is no one around and everything is quiet except for the thunder in the distance and water splashing at my feet.
By Sofia5 years ago in Petlife