Adopting a pet fills a home with joy, laughter, and love, and this October was no exception—it brought together animals and people who were simply meant to be. So, we have collected a bunch of heartwarming photos to celebrate!

Whether depicting kittens curled up in warm blankets, pups discovering cozy sofas, or other gentle souls finally feeling safe in their new families, each image captures a unique and wholesome story.

So as you scroll through, we hope they will remind you that there's still plenty of good in this world.

#1 I’ve Felt A Void In My Life Ever Since My Cat Passed So I Adopted The Saddest Cat At The Shelter

Ajamesmccarthy (OP):

After I shared Gregory’s sad eyes many of you asked me for an update - he’s happy now!

Image credits: ajamesmccarthy

#2 Just Adopted This Mostly Blind Beauty From A Local Rescue And Had To Show Her Off. This Is Silverstone, My New Best Friend

Image credits: Sivitri617

Around 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) estimates that the number has declined from approximately 7.2 million in 2011, with the biggest decrease being in dogs—from 3.9 million to 3.1 million.

#3 I Recently Adopted This Guy Off The Streets And He Is My Everything

A friend found this pup wandering the streets and nobody had claimed him from them so I took a leap and took him in. I’m not sure what breed he is other than some terrier mix with maybe some schnauzer. He turned out to be such a loving and fun dog with the best personality. He’s really just happy to have a home and be along for the ride.

Image credits: LeonardMcWhoopass

#4 My Mother Adopted An Adult Cat

Image credits: mildpandemic

#5 Adopted This One Eared Kitten That Was Found Covered In Blood Along Side The Road After Having His Ear And Drum Ripped Out. Welcome Home Vincent (Van Gogh). We Call Him Vinnie Too

Image credits: ib4error

About 810,000 animals (710,000 dogs and 100,000 cats) who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners each year.

Additionally, roughly 4.1 million are adopted.

Still, 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats).

#6 I Adopted My First Dog The Other Day. Meet Chip

They said he is 12, but I think he’s more than likely 8-9. His owner went into hospice, and she said he was 17. He is a total love bug, and I will cherish whatever time he gets to spend with us. He is a Cockalier, according to the rescue.

Image credits: intrusivethotwon

#7 Adopting This Boy From The Shelter

I just want to share how this boy looks at me when he is next to me. His name is Titus, and I found him when I was volunteering to run dogs at a local shelter.
I decided on adopting him almost instantly.

Image credits: dunsets

#8 Adopted A 17 Year Old Cat Today Meet Moppie

Image credits: Front_Cartographer14

Getting a new pet is incredibly exciting, however, it's crucial to remember that it comes with responsibilities. Pets need time, attention, and financial support for their care. So it's essential to be prepared for the commitment and duties.

When Best Friends Animal Society commissioned a survey of 856 people who considered acquiring or did acquire a pet in the last 12 months; 70% of them got dogs and 30% got cats.

#9 I Have Adopted A Kitten From An Animal Rescue. I Looking Forward To Get To Know This Little Kitten

Image credits: Ryan_The_Punk_Rocker

#10 The Cat I Adopted Has A Cleft Lip, So His Teefies Are Always On Show

Image credits: loatheyy

#11 Adopted My First Cat Today

Image credits: Opening-Amphibian-55

#12 My New Adopted Bun, Muffin

I’m a wildlife rehabber and got a call from an animal control officer about this sweet baby being abandoned in an apartment. They didn’t want him anymore, and when they were evicted left him behind. His cage was tiny and dirty. His fur seemed like it never got pet or brushed, and was shedding so much. I couldn’t not save him. Now he’s spoiled, with half of my apartment to roam while I work on bunny-proofing the rest. He loves his toys and food, and loves getting attention. He boops our legs and puts his little head down to get pet. He’s the most lovey bunny I’ve ever met with the sweetest little face. And he’s huge!! I put the photo of how the officer found him in there too.

Image credits: faezaria

The survey also showed that people still see animal welfare organizations as good places to find their next furry family member. That’s especially the case for dogs, with 39% of respondents noting they went to a shelter or rescue to adopt. Breeders made up 30%.

In the vast majority of those cases, people got their cat from a friend or family member (67%) or via a connection through a friend or family member (22%). Cats were far less frequently acquired from a breeder (7%).

#13 Meet Opal, All 1.14 Lbs Of Her

We brought her home last night. I work at an animal shelter and will bring her back for alteration once she reaches 2 lbs. First kitten I’ve adopted in my 10 years of working there!

Image credits: hysterical_momness

#14 So, I Was Adopted By This Feral Cat

Image credits: Dependent_Ad_1243

#15 Adopted An Abused Cat With Both Back Paws Missing

Image credits: Jacquesvnk

#16 Just Adopted My First Ever Orange Cat! She’s A Very Special Orange Girl - Haven’t Fully Settled On A Name Yet But I’m Leaning Towards Schnitzel

Image credits: wangzapper

However, if you too want to adopt an animal, be prepared to invest some time. While 71% of respondents who got a new cat said it took them less than a month, only 51% of people acquiring dogs did so in fewer than 30 days. Patience is key for the best match!

#17 Newest Foster Dog Needs A Name

Her rescue name was Corina, she was adopted 7 months ago (they named her Remi) and returned today. I was her previous foster and I took her back. I will likely adopt her as well. I want a funny name for her. She was brought to Miami Dade animal services, she has no eyes due to previous emergency surgeries.

Image credits: Dry_Indication_2764

#18 Meet Poppy

Image credits: Solarpoweredhippie

#19 Just Adopted This Tiny Senior Lady!

Meet Palmerina, aka Pom-Pom! She’s a sweet, shy, and surprisingly spry 13-ish-year-old gal, and my very first cow cat!

I’m notoriously powerless in the face of senior cats in need, so I adopted her a couple of weeks ago with very little notice.

Her purrs vibrate my whole couch, and her scratchy little meow greetings sounds like a retiree who’s smoked 3 packs of Virginia Slims per day for forty years, and, darn it, isn’t about to quit now. So, basically, she’s strange, very petite, and perfect.

Image credits: redhandledscissors

#20 Welcome To The Pack, Odin!

On Sunday, we welcomed home Odin - he’s the multicolored one in these photos. The white one is our 8 year old boy, Ragnar.

Image credits: ancientspacejunk

#21 After Nearly A Year Of Fostering, Nova Officially Became A Member Of The Family

Image credits: HopefulLesbian

#22 Triple Foster Fail

Image credits: DrySolutionMaybe

#23 Adopted These 11 Year Old Twins From A Shelter

Image credits: wannaberapunzel105

#24 The Cat We Adopted Today

Image credits: zerothepyro

#25 Rescued This Little Guy From The Animal Control Center Yesterday

Got him from a sheriff-run animal control center after seeing a post about how 12 dogs will be euthanized this weekend. They waived all adoption fees (usually $70 there!) to get animals out yesterday. He is so small and skinny, probably max 3 lbs right now. He was listed as a stray since he was found outside, bone thin, with no microchip or neutering (they neutered before I adopted). But he is already house-trained and very loving! Welcome home Churro.

Image credits: crazyreptilegirl

#26 Tortie Adopted At Austin Animal Center

Image credits: mc2501

#27 Adopted By A Cat At Waffle House

Image credits: shortenina

#28 I Adopted This Sweet Old Lady Whisper (Estimated 10-11), She’s Such A Sweetheart Despite What She’s Been Through!

She was a stray majority of her life, and was up for adoption for several years before I took her in. She’s had her pelvis broken in a standup against a stray dog, stood up for herself against other stray cats, on top of having stomatitis. Her foster mom was looking after here for some time and held onto the hope that someone would take Whisper in, since she really loved being indoors and snuggling. I hope I can give her a happy life for however long she has. She’s a strong little girl with such a gentle spirit.

Image credits: SashimiCake

#29 Just Adopted/Rescued A Kitten

Image credits: Adept_Magazine_51

#30 I Just Adopted These Two Sweet Dogs From The Shelter Today. We Decided To Name The One On The Left Henry. Any Suggestions For What To Call The Other One?

Image credits: Valerieepetite

#31 No One Ever Told Me Before Adopting My First Dog How Hard It Would Be To Say No

Image credits: thicklatinagirll

#32 Adopted My Cr*ckhead Neighbors Abandoned Dog. Idk If I’ll Get In Trouble If They Ask For Her

They never took good care of her especially when she had puppies. She’s an outside dog always has been and recently her grown up son who is still a puppy but is very large for his age was taken by animal control and she almost was taken as well but managed to flee two times so I leashed her on my house because the neighbor allowed them to be taken.

She’s been the best, I’ve known her as a street dog for two years and when we go on walks she listens when I say no, I always have her leashed at all times I’ve always had anger on pit bulls but she’s the only exception for me I’m still trying to train her slowly because Ik she is an adult already. If you have any tips I’m here to hear you out I’m also in process of chipping her and giving the right vaccines.

Image credits: Chupapi_chip

#33 This Cat Literally Adopted Me, Not The Other Way Around

Meet Minka! This little adorable rat literally hopped on my lap as I got in my vehicle to go to the gym. She wouldn't stop purring and loving on me. I just had to take her home...

Image credits: Heavy-Mechanic-9707

#34 She’s The Barn Cat Who Has Adopted Me. Took This Just Now

Image credits: slaty_balls

#35 I Adopted Her. Thanks Everyone

Image credits: Muffin-Own

#36 My Childhood Dog Passed Away In March. Last Week, My Mom Brought In This Injured Stray. I've Adopted Him. Meet Harvey Dent

Image credits: MadisonDissariya

#37 My New Dog I Adopted

Image credits: selenajaimes

#38 Update To My Adoption Question! It Happened!!!! And Everything Is Oh So Good

Here’s some quick pictures of Ranja with my husband.
Ranja is the sweetest boy. He has some quirks to work through thanks to his life experiences so far, but they are nothing we can’t help him get through. He’s amazing with kids, super polite but excited to meet and play with other dogs. When it comes to my old man Lou, he is kind, he is patient, he is gentle and he is loving.
Our watchful eyes won’t leave them for a long time, but, my goodness, everything is peaceful and happy so far.

Image credits: torosiu

#39 Bought A House And Finally Adopted A Cat

Image credits: ZBoyz2

#40 Adopting Lucy The Beagle

Image credits: logandee123

#41 Adopted A Cat As My Very First Pet! She's Settling In Quite Nicely

Image credits: NilliamWylander

#42 Just Adopted Yesterday! He’s Already So Loved

Image credits: natsirtnosirrah

#43 Adopted 13 Year Old Pom

Image credits: reddit.com

#44 Just Adopted This Beautiful Lady

Image credits: electricloaf

#45 Newly Adopted Cat

Image credits: SensualPulses

#46 As A Newly Cat Parent, I Wanted To Share My Baby, Butters

Image credits: HumanDumpsterFire_

#47 I Adopted This Lil Standard Issue Cat

Image credits: SpiritualSapphire

#48 Adopted My Mil’s Dog

We recently adopted my soon to be MIL’s dog. His mom is in pretty bad active addiction and the dog was living a a neighbors house (also an addict) because they “have air conditioning” I think she really just didn’t want her anymore because she has another dog that’s younger that lives with her) I’ve known this dog and had a bond with her for 8 years. She’s a senior now and she was a rescue when my MIL first got her. We have no idea where she came from, or how old she is exactly. I would have to guess she’s about 11/12.

Image credits: amethyst1016

#49 It's Only Three Weeks Old And So Cute! My Friend's Cat Gave Birth To 4, Which I Just Adopted

Image credits: WorriedTie8626

#50 What Kind Of Dog Is This. Adopted From A K*ll Shelter

Image credits: happy-hubby