Meet The Most Wholesome Adopted Faces Of 2021: 45 Animal Adoption Stories

2021 is coming to an end, friends, and boy, it's been a long year. So many things have happened that shook us to our core: from the woman who accidentally forgot her sugar glider in her bra and took it to a doctor's appointment, to the person who got chased by a cow on valentines day, all the way to the people who rescued a shivering 'dog' only to find out it was no dog at all.

So much has happened, and a lot of it was rough, but the one bright spot this year - and every year - was reading animal adoption stories. Here, at ICanHasCheezburger, we bring you a collection the most wholesome animal adoption stories every single Friday, but today, for the end of 2021, we went through all of those stories and have chosen the most heartwarming ones - to end this year on the most positive note possible.

We would like to say a huge thank you to every person who adopted a pet this year. You have not only done something amazing, you have also gained an incredible companion for life. A special thank you goes to those of you who adopted senior pets or sick pets. It may be harder to take care of them, but it's so, so worth it.

Enjoy this collection of wholesomeness, animal lovers, and we hope this list only gets longer next year.

Posted by Marielru

1
"I adopted the unfriendliest cat in the shelter. He was afraid and had been there for months, hostile to people. 8 months later after a ton of patience and love, he is the neediest little lap cat"

Sometimes, it really does take a while for a cat to fall for its owner, especially when it comes to older cats. That's why older cats and other pets stay in shelters for longer. So, we were so happy to see this little dude finally - finally - find its forever home, and we are certain that he has been living his best life with his new family.

Via u/rollybygolly
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2
"Two weeks ago, I adopted a boy with the saddest face from a nearby shelter. He's really come out of his shell in that time, and has already grown attached to me. Meet Tom Bombadog!"

And this is why we all adopt. Doesn't matter who we adopt - older animals or babies - every single one of them looks happier after being pampered by its humans for a while. This is pure joy on this doggo's face. We hope to see many more before and after adoption photos in 2022 just like these ones.

Via u/dickgunslinger
3
"Originally was going to adopt 2 of these guys. Turns out three times the charm. We got all the siblings together! They’re super close and we didn’t want to leave the sister out. Any advice would help as first time cat owners :)"

Via u/NoLongerARedditor
4
"Adopted her 2 months ago, I think she finally adopted me back last night"

Via u/IsOneCrackRockEnough
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5
"I adopted these twins tonight! I havent got names yet though."

Via u/jmp040
6
"My foster Socks at PetSmart. He got adopted!"

Via u/audiodrone
7
"A few weeks ago I adopted a puppy (right) and today a new dog appeared in front of the door and he looks like he is the same dog from the future and he is trying to warn himself about something."

Via u/Clear-Relief-1424
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8
"Just adopted this precious little man. Desperate for name ideas!!"

Via u/cosmic8bit
9
"Mandarin was the coolest cat at the shelter- I had to adopt him"

Via u/Waggmans
10
"The moment I knew I had to adopt him."

Via u/ConnorFroMan
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11
"My fiancée and I are adopting this little girl! Any name ideas? (Food/drink names preferred)"

Via u/TheTeddly
12
"This is my new friend, Harvey! Took this just minutes after adopting him!"

Via u/mightbedylan
13
"The first day I adopted this abandoned kitty and 48 days later."

Via u/kookphoria97
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14
"Adopted a kitten today! Her name is Loki, she is super scared, but too cute"

Via u/Wauwaiiiiiii
15
"This is Pudding, I adopted him - he has no teeth so keeping his tongue in is hard…"

Via u/Cheesyulcer
16
"I adopted Ham two months ago and today he sat on my lap for the first time!"

Via u/fcbRNkat
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17
"Adopted an older kitty who had been returned to the shelter a few times. I think we've bonded!"

Via u/foxcat0_0
18
"After the overwhelming support I got I realized older cats get adopted less than I thought. Here is 12 year old Hermes who has lived in the shelter for six years. The lady started crying in joy when I said I wanted him."

Via u/Bloodyfaucet
19
"One day after adopting our 14 week old ragamuffin and he owns the place"

Via u/crowabunga
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20
"I was fostering this goof when a family adopted him. The family brought him back for being "too large" so I adopted him. Welcome home, big guy."

Via u/harding44
21
"Silly old fart adopted as a senior cat in 2009. Humane Society only charged us $40 "because he's old". 12 years later and he still does 4am zoomies. Never change, Toby."

Via u/Totaler166
22
"My recently adopted senior cat, Grandpa Todd"

Via u/Typical_White_Girl
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23
"Meet Kiba, a feral kitten I adopted."

Via u/grizzlyperthy
24
"My boyfriend and I recently adopted this big boy. He’s 2!"

Via u/Ladadidadadida
25
"This is Frank. He’s my first cat. I adopted him last month, and I’m so glad I did."

Via u/systoliq
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26
"We adopted the smaller kitty 3 days ago. They’ve bonded so quickly"

Via u/lifeofacookie
27
"Just got home from adopting this fella!"

Via u/D_Poner57
28
"Just adopted this guy this morning! His name is Franklin and is 3 years old."

Via u/haeleigh69
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29
"I'm 43, never had a dog. My kids talked me into it and now I'm a dog guy"

Via u/SomeTwelveYearOld
30
"The shelter made a rule that these siblings had to be adopted together because they were inseparable. They sleep like this every night."

Via u/TieDyeSky
31
"Akali was returned to the shelter by her first adopter, but now I have a best friend"

Via u/voodlesnoodles
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32
"My neighbor just adopted this little thing and I just can’t"

Via u/teenytiny212
33
"We may have adopted a tiny snow leopard"

Via u/XaVierDK
34
"Just adopted this stray kitty and he needs a name.."

Via u/mybnr34
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35
"Our foster puppy when we told her we were adopting her"

Via u/Participant8119
36
"This little baby (Cider) was finally adopted from the Humane society of Marshall County!"

Via u/Mocking_jai
37
"Left was from 5 days ago before I adopted him. Right was earlier today. I am so lucky I adopted him, he’s the sweetest most caring cat and I’m thankful to have him."

Via u/audreybrookee
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38
"We adopted two kitties last week. We got them home and notice one of them is covered in hearts. Seven and counting. Here’s River, King of Hearts."

Via u/7bottlesofwine
39
"My brother's dog, Ricky, before and after adoption."

Via u/ChiefWolfy
40
"Just adopted a 13 year old cat. Who gets rid of an old cat? She’s great at purring."

Via u/SpecialFeet
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41
"Just adopted this sweet old girl, need a name!"

Via u/Okinawa_Stormtrooper
42
"Just adopted this little nugget. She needs a name."

Via u/Big-Nibble
43
"Adopted a cat but left her brother so I had to go back a few days later and get him too."

Via u/thewinds0fshit
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44
"Went to adopt a kitten yesterday and her sister started crying for her as soon as they were separated. So now I have two kittens. Best decision ever!"

Via u/MSK7
45
"I adopted this 7 y.o. lady just over a month ago. Each day she seems cozier & more playful than the last. She was in a shelter since May 2019 which made me so sad to hear when I met her. She’s incredibly sweet & I am very lucky to have her."

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Via u/catswinemfm