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.
My North Star
You don't have to live a long life to live a good life. Some of us don't start off with ideal circumstances, but each of us has the power to change the ending of our story. When we adopt animals, we have the power to give someone a second chance and hold space for something better.
By Dion Garcia5 years ago in Petlife
Lala Y El Vaquero
I’ve been a cowgirl for 12 years, standing my post on the porch of the living room everyday, waiting to warn off delivery men who might want to infiltrate. It was perfect for me as I basked in the sun, but that all changed when El Vaquero joined our band.
By Ariana GonBon5 years ago in Petlife
The Zoo
My life is kind of crazy. Usually one maybe two animals max are all a family needs for a furry companion. I grew up with two wonderful cats. Our first adopted was Chopper, she was one years old at the time of her adoption. At our local Humane Society any animal over a year old was a "name your own fee" most people would cheap out and say like ten maybe 20 dollars. Not this family, we offered 120 dollars for this black and gold beauty. She was a skittish little thing but as time went on she warmed up to us. About a year later my family felt as though Chopper was lonely so we packed into the car and took a trip over to the humane society and that day we went home with a multicolored fluffy tabby cat named Starla. She brought so much joy to Choppers life, at first they despised each other but eventually learned to love one another. They spent the next 12 years together, then one day the family packed into the car once again and went to another local humane society, later that day we brought home a tree walking coon hound named Ace. The size of his paws were massive at a young age of three months old. He was going to be a big boy. Needless to say Chopper, Starla and Ace all had a love hate relationship. Still to this day they don't get along very well but are learning to coexist. A normal family would stop at three animals especially when there's a dog living with two cats. To say the animals ruled the house is an understatement. Keeping the trend going, a year later my brother adopted a spunky and sassy "tiger" cat—she looks like a tiger—named Romeo, she is the sassiest cat I think I have ever met. As you can tell we really like the boy names for girls. Life was great, we were surrounded by furry companions. Two years later my brother was volunteering at the local humane society that we adopted Ace from, he came across this orange tabby cat. He had a severely injured back right leg. My brother fell in love with the cat's face and bold personality. We were informed that this specific cat was run over by a car and would need to have his leg amputated if he wanted to live a long and healthy life moving forward. Being the family that we are we took on the honorable challenge of bringing home an amputee animal. Needless to say, we were outnumbered at this point. There were more animals living in the house than humans. Harley, the amputee cat, hobbled at first but as he gained the strength in his legs he was faster than the other cats in the house. Those animals saved us we weren't the ones who saved them. Unfortunately at the age of 17, we lost Chopper. She was our first ever fur baby and it was a tough one to overcome. She meant the absolute world to not only us but the other animals in the house especially Starla. These animals are stray to stay. We have learned that we will take in any animal that is sick or needs help and we will give them the life they deserved just like we did with Chopper and will continue to do with our other companions. Forever in our hearts, Chopper.
By Sami Geiger5 years ago in Petlife
Doggy days
Here we are, walking down this same road that we have been down plenty of times. The flowers are in full bloom, the skies are the most perfect shade of blue. The only problem is that we must change course because the forecast calls for rain. That always happens on our best walks. You know, those walks where the world seems at perfect peace and you believe that just maybe those days will last forever? It was not always like this though. I remember the first time that I met this poor little guy. Here is that story.
By Chassity Renea Rodriguez5 years ago in Petlife
28 Paws
It all really started with my cat Smokey. She was not a stray or a rescue. My neighbor’s cat had kittens and I took the gray one. I named her Smokey. She was a good cat: affectionate but not pushy, used her litter box, didn’t go outside, loved catnip but hated riding in a car anywhere (Not just the vet). Smokey and I lived together happily for many years.
By Sharon Koehler5 years ago in Petlife
Pup's Furever Home
Turning 18 years old, freshly graduated from high school and having your parents going through a divorce is a lot to go through. My parents divorce really traumatized me; I felt alone, misunderstood, guilty, and ashamed. I am the oldest out of 4 children and being the oldest has its demands. My siblings needed me for comfort. I mothered my siblings while my parents fought through the divorce, literal fighting. I held my siblings at night before bed, I took my siblings out of the house because they should not have had to see or hear the fighting. I was there for them in every way; but who was there for me?
By Ariel Tomb5 years ago in Petlife
Sleepless in Park Slope. Top Story - April 2021.
I had big plans for 2020, I mean, didn't everyone? But I don't think you understand, I was turning 40 years old on December 12th and there were so many things I wanted to cross off my list. Things like, travel more, maybe finally bike that 10K I've always wanted to do, and I was going to finish writing my podcast musical. But mostly, I was going to find my soulmate in 2020, or at least figure out why love kept escaping me all these years.
By Caroline Selia5 years ago in Petlife
Betty Boo
my partner and I got our first little dog when we first moved in together “Rambo” a teacup chihuahua.. we had always wanted a bulldog but couldn’t afford one, my father in law had friends that breed bulldogs and often had them sent back to them if there was any problems with them, not many people realise the upkeep of a bulldog, scrubbing in between their rolls with a toothbrush to keep them clean, they are not the type of dog that enjoy long walks along the beach, they start foaming at the mouth and are buggered walking not far from your house, they love to lay around and be loved.
By Jodie Wooden5 years ago in Petlife
Rescue Dog With A Smile
The date was March 19th, 2020 and a stay-at-home order had been declared in California. COVID-19 had already begun to sink it’s spikes into the lives of thousands of Americans across the country, but now it was the Golden State’s turn to take action and, well, mine too. Living on the edge of Angelino Heights, the precipice of Downtown Los Angeles, I was caught between the spillage of Skid Row inhabitants and the skeptical punks of Echo Park that made going outside something I now feared. As someone who prefers the outdoors and lives to interface with strangers and friends abound, this was a type of challenge that required of myself something, something as simple as staying inside, alone and with myself; not completely alone, as I live with my boyfriend, but you understand what I mean. What could be worse than a virus spreading like wildfire in a state used to wildfires than having to sit on the couch and think about my own thoughts? In March of 2020, I would have asserted that nothing could be worse, but with the humbling efforts of time (and the news), I came to know that there are far more treacherous outcomes living in a world learning as it goes.
By René Petersson5 years ago in Petlife
