Last updated Mar 22, 2022
When it comes to shelter cats, many of us cat owners know the value of saving a life through adoption. And, after all, when we rescue a cat, a lot of times it’s those special cats that rescue us, too. If you’ve ever opened your heart and home to a cat in need, then you know exactly how special those bonds formed can be.
Shelter cats never choose the shelter life. And when they end up in shelters, they are frightened and often in poor health. Whether they’ve been abandoned, surrendered, or were found wandering, the shelter life is no life for a cat. Every cat deserves a chance to feel loved, appreciated, and know where its next meal is coming from. And don’t forget about all the cuddles and cat treats they could ever ask for!
Even if you have a heartwarming story of your own about a rescue cat that you’ve saved, these images of beautiful rescue cat glow-ups are sure to brighten your day. Poli Paw has compiled a list of the most heartwarming cats on their adoption day vs now that proves just how powerful rescuing a cat can be.
Amazing Transformations, Then and Now Photos
“Its Been A Year”
Photo Credit: ursarc
“I Had To Fight My Wife To Not Leave Him At The Shelter—she Was Concerned He’d Either Cost Us A Ton Of Money In Vet Bills Or Die Soon Since He Was So Sickly, Turns Out He Just Needed Food And Kisses”
“Took A Chance, And Decided To Rehabilitate This Boy Instead Of Letting Him Be Put Down. One Of The Best Decisions Of My Life”
Photo Credit: LoiteringLizard
There are approximately 1.5 million shelter animals euthanized each year and most are felines.
When you adopt from a shelter, you are not only giving them a forever home but you aretaking them off “death row”.
“He’s A Whole Lot Better Compared To When He Was First Rescued! My Friend Took Him In. He’s Playful And Living His Best Life”
Photo Credit: BoneyardHorizons
“Found Homeless In 120 Deg Heat, Gave Birth To 5 Kittens Within 2 Hours Of Us Taking Her In…and Now She’s Our Princess!”
Photo Credit: u/Zzzbow
“What A Foster Home Can Do For A Sick Cat…now Misza Is Enjoying His Cat Retirement After Being A Neglected Feral For 15 Years”
Photo Credit: Disastrous_Aside_831
Traditional shelters often have no choice but to euthanize animals due to certain circumstances.
Some of those include overcrowding, illness, aggressiveness and injuries. Every time a cat is adopted, the shelter opens up a space for another rescue kitty. Therefore, adopting also helps you save the life of the next cat that the shelter can rescue.
“Toby And Quinton Were Rescued Together And Adopted As A Bonded Pair. Toby Has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome And Quinton Was Toothless. They Became Brave And Happy. Quinton Passed Away Recently, I’m So Glad We Had Him For The Time We Did And He Passed Knowing We Would Keep His Best Friend Safe.”
Photo Credit: iwanttoseeyourcats
“8 Years Ago Today The Triplets Were Born. From Bottle Feeding Every 3 Hours, To Beautiful Lazy Babies. Bob, Possum, And Arwyn Made Me The Crazy Cat Lady I Am Today”
Photo Credit: crazycatmom5
“We’re Just Going To Foster Him,” – My Mother, In May Of 2015″
Photo Credit: u/Jombo65
“This Is River. At The Shelter, He Was Shaved As His Fur Was Extremely Matted And Riddled With Flees. He Had Coccidia And Conjunctivitis. After Some Medicine And Tlc, He’s Doing Amazing! He’s The Most Loving And Affectionate Kitty Ever, Always Snuggling Up And Kissing Me! I’ve Had Him For 4 Months”
Photo Credit: u/sunshine1099
“Bones Had Some Issues With Ringworm When We First Found Him (~8 Weeks), But He’s All Better Now (2 Years)!”
Photo Credit: Armer409
Many rescued stray cats were once owned but were later abandoned or abused.
These rescue cats are actually more domesticated than those being sold in pet stores. The shelter may even share the rescue’s story with you and knowing your cat’s troubled past may help you help them recover from it as well as strengthen your bond.
Many cat owners who adopted confirm that there is nothing more rewarding than to see their feline friends transform over time, as you can see from the pictures of cats in this article.
“I’m so happy for her progress”
Photo Credit: Nightshark13
“Our Kitty Was Already An Adult In The Photo On The Left. A 6 Month Glow Up.”
Photo Credit: monkeyface195
Louise Lee is the media officer at the non-profit Blue Cross For Pets organization says “We rehomed over 9,000 pets last year, which has increased significantly since a decade ago.”
This shows more people are willing to take the “adopt, don’t shop” approach and the stigma about rescued cats is slowly fading away. “Such misperceptions that these pets were all given up because of behavior and that they’re ‘broken’ are gradually changing, and people understand cats are handed over for all sorts of reasons,” explained Louise.
“My mom is a realtor. She went to show an empty house and found that the previous owners had left something behind. After checking with the listing agent and finding out that the person who had loved her was deceased, she went back and brought her home.”
Photo Credit: desertroserobin
“Two Months Ago I Found Him Mangled, Probably Had Been Run Over, And Almost Dead Due To Dehydration. Vets Had To Amputate One Of His Front Legs And Tail. Today We Finally Took The Cone Of Shame Off And Let Him Chill With Us On The Bed.”
Photo Credit: Reddit
“A Local Vet Treated This Rescued Stray From A Bad Case Of Fungus/Ringworm Few Months Ago. Look At Her Now”
Photo Credit: dela_angelo
Louise also says “we’re working hard not only to change the perception of pets in rescue” but also to help people who can’t cope with their pet.
“We seek to take the ‘shame’ away from people who are struggling to cope with their pet and decide to rehome or their circumstances change.” The Blue Cross team never judges anyone.
“Rey When I Found Her On The Street And At 1 Year Old. Good Job, Baby Girl!”
Photo Credit: HawkGuy1126
“Two Months Of Love Changed Mr. Biscuits”
Photo Credit: CassieL24
“After 6 Months Spent In A Shelter, They Thought He Would Never Get Adopted Due To Him Having FIV. Now He’s Been My Bud For Over A Year And Living His Best Life.”
Photo Credit: wot_are_frogs_
“Just A Year Apart”
Photo Credit: soccermom118
“From Being Found In Our Woodshed Two Years Ago With Wounds The Vet Believes Was From A Coyote , To Yesterday A Happy Healthy House Kitty. Meet Chip!”
Photo Credit: elahrairah
Louise warns that it is important to make sure the whole family is in agreement when it comes to adopting a cat or any pet.
“Make sure everyone in a family wants a pet and understands their responsibilities, the time needed, and financial commitment before getting a pet.” Everyone involved should be happy in the end.
“When We Got Hilda She Was Very Underweight After Having Recently Given Birth; Somewhere In The Last 6 Months She Turned Into A Long Haired Beauty Queen!”
Photo Credit: reiflame
“I Found This Kitten Dumped In The Middle Of A Road Too Weak And Hungry To Get To Safety. The Photo On The Right Is What 6 Days Of Cuddles By The Fireplace, Lots Of Food And A Cozy Bed Can Do.”
Photo Credit: Chlosco
“Apollo Has Given Us Just As Much As We Have Been Able To Give Him”
Photo Credit: ijustwantthisplant
“2 years ago today I walked into a Petsmart and met a cat named Sonny who no one would adopt because he was 13 years old, covered in fleas, underweight, and had a mouth full of rotten teeth that had to be removed. He came home with me that night and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Photo Credit: VerrattiShmurda
“so much healthier!”
Photo Credit: ladypanda28
“This Is My Best Friend LCDR Ryker. I Was Told You All Like These Kind Of Stories.”
Photo Credit: NinjaonHiatus
“Frank At A Couple Weeks vs. Almost A Year, Also Threw In The Christmas Photo With His Brother Teddy”
Photo Credit: LeighAndTeddy
“Got My Feral Kittens At 4 Weeks Old And Now They’re All Grown Up”
Photo Credit: auroralucero
“My James Won’t Ever Be Cold Again”
Photo Credit: cocodoor
“Jerry, Found In A Box With His Siblings, Covered In Oil And Fleas At A Couple Of Weeks Old. Now, At 11 Weeks, Healthy And So Lazy. We Fostered All Four Siblings And Adopted Him Ourselves.”
Photo Credit: altnerdluser
“Found This Girl In Need While In Greece, Now She Is Our Chunky Mischief Maker.”
Photo Credit: silversinflower
“The Week I Rescued Him And 4 Months Later. He’s A Terrible Office Assistant”
Photo Credit: Chlosco
“Wally Update Pt.2. He Chonkin’ Up Nicely”
Photo Credit: Chlosco
“One Month Ago, I Found This Baby In The Wheel Of My Forklift At Work. Now She Lives At Home With Me. Meet Emmy (6 Weeks vs. 10 Weeks)”
Photo Credit: Reddit
If you have a rescue cat story, please share it in the comments!