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.

Willow: The Story of Keon and Kavon Herbert’s Beloved Adopted Cat
Born May 10, 2024, Willow is the beloved feline companion of twin brothers Keon and Kavon Herbert. Adopted from Peninsula SPCA in Newport News, Virginia, she has become part of the Herbert family, with a story centered on adoption, companionship, and the possibility of becoming a recognizable animal personality.
By Kavon Herbert9 days ago in Petlife
The Cat Who Taught My Heart to Love Again
When I was thirteen, my mom adopted a cat for me, a big brown tabby the shelter staff had named Brownie because of his exceptionally sweet disposition. The moment I sat down in the chair at the shelter, he jumped up on my lap and started purring. I’d had many good cats before him and loved them all, of course, but I felt a special connection with Brownie. He followed me around everywhere like my little shadow, waited at the top of the stairs for me to get home from school every day, and curled up on my pillow above my head to watch over me as I slept. He was incredibly mild-mannered; he never hissed, scratched, or bit, and very few things scared him or made him nervous. Even during vet visits, he would simply lie down on the table and let himself get checked out without a fuss. It was like he knew that as long as I was with him, he was safe. I couldn’t bear to be without him when we went on vacation, so he came with us. He watched the world go by, stretched out in the sun on top of the dashboard, happy as could be. We live in Kansas, but Brownie was a well-traveled boy - he’s visited Minnesota and Missouri!
By Emily Albers12 days ago in Petlife
Unleashing Love, One Tail Wag at a Time. Why Michael Hoover and His Wife Made Their Rescue Dog a Certified Therapy Animal
By the time Finn passed his therapy dog certification, he had already come a long way from the shelter. Michael Hoover and his wife adopted Finn without a pedigree or a price tag. What they built from there took patience, structured training, and a clear sense of purpose. Now Finn accompanies them into hospitals, schools, and care facilities around the Greater Philadelphia area, including visits not far from their home in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
By Michael Hoover14 days ago in Petlife
Why Your Cat Rips Through the House After Pooping
At one in the morning, scratching comes from the litter box. Three seconds later, the cat shoots out, four paws skidding on wood, tail puffed like a bottlebrush. It races down the hall, jumps on the sofa, then crosses the coffee table by stepping on your stomach. You stand there holding the scoop. The litter box is still warm.
By Jinabout a month ago in Petlife
When My Dog Dies
Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace. — Milan Kundera
By Jeff Bartonabout a month ago in Petlife
Wikie and Keijo Are Running Out of Time: France and Spain Must Clarify Their Plans Before December
Wikie and Keijo, two killer whales who were born under human care, currently live at the former Marineland Antibes in France. While it is true that animal protection laws in France will prohibit keeping cetaceans under human care from December 2026, the exact wording of the new law and the date of its enactment. Possible exceptions must be confirmed.
By Jenna Deedyabout a month ago in Petlife
I Found a Fist-Sized Snail in a Guangzhou Green Belt. Then I Learned What It Was.
Guangzhou. A red light. A woman sat in her car and looked at the green belt by the road. Under a low shrub lay a snail. Its shell was burnt brown, marked with cloud-like patterns, swollen, larger than an adult man’s fist. She filmed it. In the comments, someone quickly typed five characters: African giant snail.
By Jinabout a month ago in Petlife
I Already Know
Another day of topping off water bowls when out of nowhere the phone rings. Grabbing it, I position it between my ear and my shoulder so that I can keep my hands free and keep working.
By Special Little Whiskers Kitten Sanctuary2 months ago in Petlife
Your Dog Isn't an Athlete. (Stop Feeding Them Like One.)
A friend messaged me recently. He owns a small-breed dog, feeds it premium imported kibble, weighs every portion with a digital scale, sticks to a strict schedule, never gives extra treats, and takes the dog for a check-up every year. The latest report came back: on the verge of fatty liver disease .
By Jin2 months ago in Petlife
Don't Give Kittens Away for Free
For one reason or another, you find yourself trying to find a home for some kittens. Perhaps your cat had an unplanned litter, or maybe you're moving and can't take them with you. Possibly you found a litter that needs homes, or maybe a neighbor of yours abandoned them. For whatever reason, you want to find someone to take them and give them a good life.
By Janis Masyk-Jackson3 months ago in Petlife
Kitten Care 101: Surviving (and Thriving Through) the First 90 Days
The good news? Kittens are basically indestructible little furballs that bounce back from everything. With a little prep, patience, and a sense of humor, you'll both survive those first three months. Here's everything you need to know: the good, the messy, and the adorable.
By Mark Lim 3 months ago in Petlife
The Role of Koi Fish in Feng Shui Design
In the fast-paced world of 2026, creating a home environment that promotes peace, mental clarity, and financial growth has become a top priority for families and professionals. While there are countless interior design styles available, ancient philosophies like Feng Shui provide valuable guidance on arranging our living spaces to harmonize with the natural energy or "Chi" around us. Among the symbols used in Feng Shui to attract good fortune, none are more vibrant or respected than the iconic Koi fish.
By Mike Savage New Canaan5 months ago in Petlife