Is there really anything better than a healthy dose of wholesome animals lighting up your screen? Probably not!
So, whether you’re taking a lunch break, relaxing at home, or just procrastinating (no judgment here), take a few minutes to enjoy these cute critters we’ve gathered from all corners of the web. And while you’re at it, don’t miss our chat with Sonia, a volunteer at ACSA, a cat shelter in Canada, who contributed some of these heartwarming pics.
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#1 Honestly, Just Wanted To Show How Handsome My 20-Year-Old Dude Is
Image credits: Siskriss
#2 My Golden Retriever Is 17 Today. Still Loving Life
Image credits: reddit.com
If there’s one thing that rivals looking at adorable animal photos, it’s spending time with them in person. Sonia, a dedicated volunteer at Adoption Chats Sans Abri (ACSA), a cat shelter in Canada, knows this joy firsthand. Regularly involved at the shelter, she also shares snapshots of the cats she cares for on Reddit. Bored Panda got in touch with Sonia to learn more about her experiences.
After moving back to Quebec City, where ACSA is located, Sonia felt a pull to help out. “I walked in front of the shelter a couple of times before finally deciding to step in and volunteer,” she explains. “Now, I’m usually there twice a week. It’s really good for my self-esteem. It’s also hard to feel depressed when you’re in a room full of kittens.”
#3 Kiddo Had A Rough Day At School, And Then I Caught This
Image credits: No-Clock-140
#4 I Got A Cat For My Dog After She Got Anxiety After An Incident And They Became Instant Soulmates
Image credits: Ok-Marionberry-3109
Since 1996, ACSA has been caring for stray and abandoned cats, helping them find forever homes. They pride themselves on being an ethical shelter, only resorting to euthanasia in cases of severe medical issues. Their mission extends beyond care, aiming to raise awareness about responsible adoption and the importance of sterilization.
#5 I Found This Kitten Near A Convenience Store. She Follows Me Everywhere I Go, So I've Decided To Bring Her Home. I Asked The Clerk If Anyone Owns Her And They Said No One Does
Image credits: MartinezHill
#6 My Partner Took A Picture Of Our Cat Watching Me As I Leave For Work
Image credits: BouncyBosom8
#7 This Is Judy. She Or He Comes To My Kitchen Window Every Day To Get Some Almonds. I Love Her Or Him So Much. That Little Smile Makes Me Melt
Image credits: PrinceWilliam13
Sonia frequently updates social media on the progress of the cats under ACSA’s care. Her photos feature kitties getting plenty of pets, receiving treatments, and playfully roaming the shelter. “We specialize in feral cats, and people love seeing their transformation on Facebook, so I started sharing them here on Reddit,” she says. “The feedback has been amazing, so I try to post each day.”
#8 Precious - 1 Year After Her Rise To Fame. Still Making This Face After Losing Her Top 2 Canine Teeth
Image credits: asterlilix
#9 Adopted This Dude A Month Ago And He Won’t Stop Staring At Me
Image credits: brian_the_wanderer
#10 It Would Be A Sin Not To Adopt Them Both
Image credits: TwoGirls1Sniper
“There are so many cats in shelters. I don’t understand why people would intentionally breed more cats just because they look a certain way” Sonia points out. “Adoption is the way to go—you don’t ‘buy’ a cat. Yes, there’s a fee, but it hardly covers the costs we’ve put into caring for each one.”
#11 He Wanted To Help With The Proposal
Image credits: dont_touch_mybhole
#12 This Service Dog Received His Master’s Degree In Occupational Therapy From Clarkson University After Attending Every Single Class With His Human
Image credits: starstufft
#13 My Boy When Asking For Treats. How Could I Resist That Adorable Smile?
Image credits: Ok-Rule9619
Sadly, while adopting from shelters is widely considered the ethical choice, many shelters are facing a crisis. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, adoption rates soared as people sought companionship during lockdowns. Some shelters even emptied out as animals were adopted at record rates. But that wave of enthusiasm was short-lived, and shelters are now overwhelmed again as more animals come in than go out.
#14 Found A Runt Outside, And My Cat Is Helping To Take Care Of Him
Image credits: isameow24
#15 They Grow Up So Fast. Happy 3rd Birthday, Guacamole
Image credits: bossnimrod89
#16 My Dog Beau Finishing His Final Chemo Yesterday. This Is How He Came Out The Vet's Office
Image credits: trumanlet
In the U.S., during 2020, when adoption rates spiked, 2% more animals left shelters than arrived, according to Shelter Animals Count. However, by 2021, that figure reversed—2% more animals entered shelters than left. In 2022, the gap widened to 4%. While that may not seem like much, each percentage point represents tens of thousands of animals.
#17 Fell Asleep With My Hand Out Like This And Woke Up To Her Hugging It
Image credits: hotdogforlife
#18 Parker Is So Patient With His Little Sister, Bailey
Image credits: BBQHawk
#19 My Girl Bella Totally In Love With My Boyfriend Of Two Years
Image credits: NewHampshireGal
Shelters have become overcrowded, partly because of lifestyle changes that came with the end of lockdowns. Pets who spent months indoors with their owners around suddenly had to adjust when people returned to their normal routines outside the house. This stress led to behavioral issues that many struggled to manage. For instance, dog owners reported challenges as their pets adapted to being left alone or reintroduced to public spaces. As a result, some decided to return their pets to shelters.
#20 Is This A Good Guard-Dog?
Image credits: fatherofpenguinmafia
#21 One Of My First Pictures Of My Rat, Crescent, vs. A More Recent One. She Still Has The Cutest Face
Image credits: sthear
#22 How My Sister's Cats Sleep
Image credits: zeroThreeSix
Despite the pandemic being behind us, shelters are still facing the issue of being overfilled, even years later.
“When I first started 9 years ago, we always had open spaces in our shelter. Now we fill spaces within about 90 seconds,” says Natalie Thomson, chief communications officer of Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL). “Saying ‘no’ to an animal in need is one of the hardest things in the world, but when there is physically no place to put them, you have to.”
#23 Smile For The Camera
Image credits: ClevyrCreatures_Lexi
#24 My Cat Turned 19. He Loves Pancakes
Image credits: k0nz
#25 My Little Friend Was Recently Unwell And Spent A Few Nights In The Hospital. This Is The First Thing He Did When I Went To Visit Him
Image credits: Sophim1
Space isn’t the only concern—shelters also struggle with funding. Providing medical care, food, and toys for the animals is expensive, and many shelters, like ACSA, rely heavily on donations to keep going. “I don’t mention it often on Reddit, but we survive on donations, the sale of cat food and litter, and fundraising events,” Sonia admits.
#26 Our Sander Came With A New Bed For Pippin
Image credits: NicLa113
#27 This Isn’t My Dog But We Had To Stop Our Tour To Say Hi To The Magical Pupper
Image credits: HeidiHelen
#28 Mojo Turns 20 In A Few Months, And The Transformation To Silver Fox Is Almost Complete
Image credits: Dr_Ponzu
If adopting isn’t an option for you, there are still plenty of ways to help. Donating or volunteering at a shelter like Sonia does can make a huge difference. Each interaction brings joy to the animals and helps them find homes faster, while every financial contribution ensures they’re well cared for and given the love they deserve.
#29 My Fosters Disappeared, And I Couldn’t Find Them Until I Went To Check On My Toddler
Image credits: ttmxg
#30 This Horse Is Looking Like A Donkey From Shrek
Image credits: fsacb3
#31 This Little Goat
Image credits: cheapboxedwine
#32 Tickle Tickle Tickle
Image credits: hdofu
#33 My Cousin Told Her Horse To Smile
Image credits: HadleyFeathers
#34 Adopted Them Both As Kittens 11 Years Ago
Image credits: sollevatore
#35 My Coworker Brought Her One-Day-Old Lamb Into Work
Image credits: Spnvettech
#36 This Young Cow Adored My Friend's Lab
Image credits: 3RdRocktothesun
#37 Customer’s Dog Brought Me The Smallest Stick She Could Find, And Then Ran Fifty Feet Away So I Could Throw It For Her
Image credits: GodRaine
#38 This "Free Kisses" Pup Window
Image credits: Ajchandler
#39 My 6-Year-Old Got Out Of The Car One Day, And This Little Guy Ran Up Her Leg. He Knocks On My Window Daily Now, As If To Ask If She Can Come Out To Play
Image credits: LittleOne120809
#40 Such A Good Little Boy
Image credits: spinach_master
#41 My Dog (Standard Poodle) Smiles Every Time I Come Back Home. He Has Been Smiling Ever Since He Was 6 Months Old. The Vet Said She Never Saw A Dog Smile This Big! Such A Sweet Puppy
Image credits: mmmeeejjjs
#42 My Dog Is Smiling In Her Happy Place - In Bed With Mama And Daddy
Image credits: Poeticpsycho
#43 Donkeys Always Have Such Charismatic Personalities. I Couldn't Choose Just One Picture
Image credits: clandestine_callie
#44 I Took My Dog To Visit His Litter Mate This Weekend. Separated Since 3.5 Months, They Are A Year And A Half Old Now
Image credits: NessTheDestroyer
#45 Peanut Butter Is Back, And You Aren't Ready For Her Tiny Smirk
Image credits: FixedLoad
#46 I Didn't Know I Needed This
Image credits: Kristen_Arnett
#47 Bruce Missed His Kitty Derby While He Spent A Night Away At The Vet
Image credits: Goldenchicks
#48 Our New Kitten Kai
He’s a rescue from northern Japan. My big old grumpy cat finally accepted him. He’s the most playful, affectionate little dude. Just over 2 months old.
Image credits: fropleyqk
#49 Two Little Sisters
Image credits: cherry_boomb
#50 Prada From Our Shelter When She Found She Was Just Fat And Not Pregnant
Image credits: sonia72quebec
