In such divisive and tumultuous times, it can sometimes be challenging to desensitize yourself from all the noise. Whether it’s on social media timelines or comment boxes, the toxicity seems inescapable.
If you are finding yourself drowning in all the negativity, here’s your much-needed palate cleanser in the form of soul-soothing pet adoption photos. As we’ve always done, we’re bringing you instant good vibes with images of adorable animals finding joy and warmth in their new homes.
Here’s the October edition of adopted pets for you to go gaga over today. Enjoy!
#1 New Friend
Image credits: Flowzempic
#2 Found This Little One Outside
Image credits: SuperbObsession3375
#3 Helen (~15)
Image credits: Unable_Present2764
As noble an act as it is, adopting a pet also comes with challenges. For example, when dealing with dogs, behavioral challenges may arise. According to the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, some dogs may have anxiety, fear, or past trauma, especially since they are coming into a new environment.
The Sanctuary noted that rushing a dog into new activities may overwhelm it and exacerbate its stress, which is why new owners must exercise patience and understanding and ensure their new pet undergoes proper training.
#4 I Just Rescued A Goose Today
Image credits: Old-Dress-3489
As noble an act as it is, adopting a pet also comes with challenges. For example, when dealing with dogs, behavioral challenges may arise. According to the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, some dogs may have anxiety, fear, or past trauma, especially since they are coming into a new environment.
The Sanctuary noted that rushing a dog into new activities may overwhelm it and exacerbate its stress, which is why new owners must exercise patience and understanding and ensure their new pet undergoes proper training.
#5 Adopted This Cute Baby Girl Sunday From A Local Cattle Dog Rescue
Image credits: MarkThomasAZ
#6 Smokey Was Adopted!!
Image credits: HisMomm
While behavioral challenges may be prevalent among shelter animals, it is also a common misconception. It is why experts from Virginia Tech’s College of Veterinary Medicine emphasize the importance of patience, consistency, and love.
By doing so, it allows a shelter pet to overcome challenges and adjust more quickly to their environment, becoming loving companions.
#7 Adopting A Bully Baby
Image credits: therealellewoodsxo
#8 Meet Aurora, The Greyhound/ Galgo I Rescued!
Image credits: Forward_Fox_1279
#9 My Life Changed After We Met Him
Image credits: mmadhavaraj
Many shelters around the United States are nearly at full capacity. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), around 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2024 alone.
Statistics also show that the time dogs spend in shelters before adoption has increased over the last five years. This overstay of larger dogs, in particular, has strained the system, which is already overburdened.
#10 I Adopted This Dog
Image credits: day_008
#11 Adopt Teddy 🐻
Image credits: Samrazzleberry
#12 I Was So Wrong, Cats Are Cool
Image credits: Yohunahan
On a much sadder note, ASPCA notes that around 607,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2024. While the number decreased by 2% from 2023, it remains a massive figure that underscores the overpopulation issue in animal shelters.
#13 It Hurts To Know I’ll Never Know What My Adopted Cat Looked Like As A Kitten
Image credits: imtoohightoo
#14 My Wife And I Finally Adopted A Cat!
Image credits: ResponsibilityOk8164
#15 My Mother Adopted This Dog
Image credits: marcezar
If you do decide to adopt a pet from a shelter, you must first assess your situation. According to Providence Vet, one way to know if you’re pet-ready would be if you have enough time to meet the animal’s basic needs, whether it’s food, training, or trips to the vet.
Another important question to ask is if you can afford to care for a pet. You must make a financial commitment to food, supplies, and routine checkups, which can be costly over time.
#16 My New Son Oscar
Image credits: wat4r
#17 Alice
Image credits: glamorousxannie
#18 So Impressed With Our New Boy
Image credits: CB11KB77
As Providence Vet notes, adopting a pet can be an exciting experience if you are well-prepared. Your goal would be to help your new companion adjust and successfully transition into their new home.
That includes providing a safe space where the animal can feel less stress as it settles into he space. If necessary, you may need to give them a quiet area where they can retreat when they feel overwhelmed or scared.
#19 Everyone Meet My Newest Niece, Sequoia!
Image credits: CarltonTuna
#20 When Your Dogs Face Glitches Mid-Smile And Now Youre Questioning If You Adopted A Pet Or Summoned Something
Image credits: lolwidk
#21 Little Pittie Ready For His Furever Home!
Image credits: hatsofftopups
#22 Buddy Mac 🌈
Image credits: Better-Ranger5404
#23 I Adopted A Stray Dog From The Street. She’s Currently 2 Months Old. How Big Do You Think She’ll Get When She Grows Up?
Image credits: ResidentReindeer1032
#24 Got A Rescue Pup For Our Rescue Pup
Image credits: eels_or_crabs
#25 The Bestest Bubba
Image credits: Sylliec
#26 Florence Has Adopted Her Illegally Smol Torbico
Image credits: Altruistic-Value-842
#27 My New Baby!!
Image credits: ranchle
#28 My First Cat 🥰
Image credits: Repulsive_Banana1022
#29 First Time Having A Cat In The Family And
Image credits: Maquinista004
#30 Small Demon Alert
Image credits: ylazz001
#31 Our New Rescue Cat
Image credits: Competitive_Mud4184
#32 I Finally Adopted A Kitten! It Will Be Called Toulouse! I Never Had An Orange Cat… What Awaits Me? 😂 I Am Very Happy!
Image credits: Life-Aspect6809
#33 Who Else Has A Old Ferret? 10+ ❤️
Image credits: StripeTheFerret
#34 The Most Perfect Nicest Softest Prettiest Most Well-Behaved Kitten
Image credits: brraaaaaaaaappppp
#35 Buster Biscuits
Image credits: StayEuphoric7468
#36 New Pigeon Owner!
Image credits: BattyCayk
#37 New Ferret Owner!
Image credits: ProtectionPrevious81
#38 Officially Adopted!
Image credits: frickcheetoh
#39 Adopted A Dog. He Is So Ugly
Image credits: catsoft
#40 First Foster Got Adopted And I Am Down In The Dumps
Image credits: Difficult-Tension-38
#41 Newest Addition To The Family, Apollo!!
Image credits: un028717
#42 I Love My Border Collie
Image credits: sleeklahar69
#43 Sisters Forever ❤️
Image credits: dragonshoulder7
#44 Adopting My First Cat!
Image credits: Freyja-Mei
#45 (Oc) We Adopted The Perfect Cat
Image credits: mikamikachip
#46 Our New Puppy, Mr. Albus!
Image credits: Significant-Pace-380
#47 My New Rescue Cat
Image credits: amberjadely
#48 Single Kitten Homes
Image credits: pgskater18
#49 Newly Adopted Malinois/Shepherd
Image credits: BuyCurious359
#50 Mojito (Brindle One) Has Been Bored Lately, So We Adopted Her A Dog Of Her Own. Welcome To The Family Muffin
Image credits: nickmangoldsbeard
#51 Found And Adopted A Litter Of Puppies
Image credits: iamhyperbeast
#52 Newly Adopted Adult Cat Hisses—Will He Warm Up?
Image credits: AdHungry585
#53 A Parking Lot Find Becomes My Pet
Image credits: SmallWombat
#54 Just A Sweet Story About Adopting A Senior Cat 🙂
Image credits: Hammerhome
#55 Tinkerbell, Forever 23
Image credits: Cultural-Bend-6597
#56 Just Adopted A Cat. Should We Name Him Mr. Bean?
Image credits: kidrickdvo
#57 Slowly Adopted By A Stray
Image credits: rosslyn_russ
#58 Gregory Was The Saddest Cat At The Shelter When I Adopted Him A Year Ago. Now He’s This Sassy Guy With So Much To Say!
Image credits: ajamesmccarthy
#59 Adopted This Sweet Senior Ginger Boy This Week
Image credits: SingingWhileSleeping
#60 I’m So Pleased To Introduce Zayne To Our Family, He Is My Third Adoption From Kuwait Animal Aid. He Is Has Some Very Funky Partially Folded Ears 😄 Thank You Alina!! First Photo Is Zayne, 2nd Is Generated From His Original Photo
Image credits: xjennyx17
#61 River 🌊
Image credits: lochnessa417
#62 Newest Member Of Our Family
Image credits: moshpitmachine
#63 Never Say Never
Image credits: PainRare9796
#64 Adopted This Guy Yesterday! Not Sure What To Name Him Yet 😬
Image credits: zazabunnigames
#65 The Best 10$ I’ve Ever Spent On
Image credits: Ok-Youth-3857
#66 Absolute Cuteness Overload!
Image credits: SpecificGravitas
#67 I Just Learned Pits Can Be Fluffy? This Is Frankie Our New Adopt-A-Dog
Image credits: catsoft
#68 Adopted This Beautiful Boy From Texas Shelter. Any Guesses?
Image credits: Fine_Organization698
#69 Adopting This Little Boy
Image credits: Professional_Tax_864
#70 Norman!
Image credits: NarwhalPristine
#71 ID Our Newly Adopted Dog With A Strange Coat
Image credits: Comfortable_Front355
#72 Meet Max, 12 Years Old
Image credits: sharieasmr
#73 My Adopted Dog Daughter! I Love Her So Much 🥰
Image credits: No-Outlandishness932
#74 I Just Got My First Cat, Luna! ❤️
Image credits: InspiriX_
#75 [15] Just Adopted!
Image credits: tsukimatcha
#76 First Time Kitty Owner!
Image credits: Significant_Sky_5835
#77 I’ve Been Cat Sitting All Week And Tonight I Suspect That I’ve Just Been Adopted
Image credits: SatansMoisture
#78 Our Adopted Tabby Girl In Her Cat Tube Lair
Image credits: ralphsquirrel
#79 Me And My Partner Have Gotten Our First Cat Together!
Image credits: C0ntr0lledchaos
#80 Every One, Meet Pixie
Image credits: Final_Performance96
#81 First Time Adopting A Stray Cat
Image credits: Pristine_Expert2380
#82 I Recently Adopted Teddy (On The Right) Partly Because He Looks Just Like My Girl Chimmy. They’ve Become Best Friends. Love These Little Cow Cats
Image credits: 23melody
#83 Cat We Just Adopted Today
Image credits: animallX22
#84 I Adopted This Cat!
Image credits: HurryWild8945
#85 Meet Mouse!
Image credits: confused394
#86 Meet Morgan
Image credits: Trolliegummy
#87 Our Flamepoint Siamese!
Image credits: Santizzo91