Contrary to popular belief, instead of cats and dogs, the first American animal activists focused mostly on horses, working tirelessly to protect the welfare of animals who were a key mode of transportation.
Then, on April 14, 1869, Caroline Earle White and a group of women established what’s now considered the first American animal shelter, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. In addition to horses, its mission expanded “to provide as soon as possible, a refuge for lost and homeless dogs, where they could be kept until homes could be found for them, or they be otherwise disposed of.”
It marked a turning point. The notion of a shelter, or even a municipal pound, as a place where you could go and find a pet, according to historian Bernie Unti, really took hold in the latter part of the 19th century and then has grown steadily ever since.
So to celebrate how far we’ve come, we at Bored Panda are continuing our monthly series, and have compiled the sweetest pet adoption photos we could find. Continue scrolling to check them out and in case you’ve missed our earlier publications, we kindly invite you to catch up: October, September, and August.
For everyone who is thinking of (or has just) invited a new critter into their home, we also had a chat about making the transition as smooth as possible with the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom. You’ll find it spread in between the images.
Beagle Puppy Cuddles Up To The Rescuer Who Saved Him From Euthanasia. Nice Dog Rescue Story Heard From Franklin County Shelter And Adoption Center In Ohio
8 Month Old Abused Retriever Mix. Scared And Sad. Brought Her Home. She Barely Moved. Was Scared To Even Walk Around The House. Lowers Head When You Reach To Pet Her. Couple Days Later With A Little Love And A Stubborn Beagle That Kept Bugging Her To Play And She’s A New Happy Dog Running Wide Open
“Getting a pet is a very exciting time, but choosing a pet and making sure you are able to provide everything they need can feel overwhelming!” PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Spooner told Bored Panda.
“And there are so many pets to choose from – dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, or smaller pets like hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, and chinchillas.”
Adopted The Cutest Stray I’ve Ever Met My BF Named Her Edith (Aka Edee)
I Recently Finished Chemo Treatment And Decided To Adopt A Husky! Say Hi To Loki!
Fishtopher The Cat Finds Forever Home After His Adoption Listing Went Viral
“Firstly, how much do you know about the pet that you want? [The UK is a country] of animal lovers – our 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report found that 52 percent of [local adults] own a pet.”
However, Spooner highlighted that raising an animal can be a different experience from the one we like to imagine. “Research as much as you can about the species and breed of pet you want, and make sure you know all about The 5 Welfare Needs that every pet needs to be healthy and happy.”
“Talk to people who already own that particular pet for their real-life experiences, and get advice from a vet,” she added.
Meet Jade, My Newly Adopted 9 Year Old Fluff Ball
Meet Leo And Luna! Even Though I Saved Them From A Sad Home They Have Ended Up Rescuing Me From Some Sad Days! #catsrule
I Went To Adopt 1 Dog
This Is Bubble. We Adopted Him Knowing He Was Feral And Probably Would Never Go Near Us! 3 Days In And We Are Already Getting Contact
When deciding which pet is right for you and your lifestyle, Spooner said you should think of P.E.T.S. – place, exercise, time, and spend.
Let’s start with place. “All pets need space to run and play, but dogs in particular need regular access to safe and secure outdoor areas,” she explained. “Many cats also enjoy being able to exercise outside, and rabbits and guinea pigs need access to a large run or a garden to be happy and healthy.”
From Stoic To Smiley
