Have a great adoption story to share? We'd love to hear about it. Your story may even be featured here, in our Paw Prints newsletter or other media channel!

Stewie the cat with his new family

Lonely Heart Finds a Home

I saw Stewie on the website and felt so sorry for him. Not only was he a Lonely Heart pet, but a Prime Time also at age 6. He'd been at the shelter so long, I had to come meet him. When I met Stewie, he was scared and shy, not really wanting to be friendly to this stranger. I was a little apprehensive, but decided to take him anyway.

He hid under the bed for a few hours after arriving at his new home. When he decided he was not in any danger, he came out to play and be pet. He has only been with us 5 full days, but is acting like he has been here his whole life. He is well aware that he belongs here. He is such a sweet boy, loves Mommy a lot and is my shadow. He even jumps up on my lap and sits with me when I am watching TV. A few nights ago, we did have to have a little talk about playtime not being at 3 am and he seems to have accepted that rule.

He is very smart and quickly realized there was more to his new home than just the room he was locked up in. He desperately wanted out of isolation, so I introduced him to the rest of his animal family- 3 more cats and a dog. He is doing great with all of them, I think they will all get along just fine. He is also very good with my kids, and they are thrilled to have a cat that will let them play with him.

I know many people want kittens because they are cute. Kittens grow up fast though, and you still end up with a cat. Stewie is our second adult cat and our second Lonely Heart. Both are great cats! I am happy with both adoptions, and would recommend to anyone considering an adult cat.

- Marina

Pumpkin gets couch cuddles

Pumpkin is Living the Life

As you can see, Pumpkin's making herself right at home.  We fell in love with Pumpkin from your website after reading her story and viewing the video that you had online. 

I called first to ensure that she was still there and we came up. Once we saw her in person we knew she was the perfect fit for our family.  The kids absolutely love her and dote on her all the time. Read her full story here...

- Stephanie, Pumpkin's new Mom

Daisy and her new best friend

Daisy is a Doll

Daisy turned out to be a very, very playful cat. She licks people when they're sleeping; she does it between 1am and 6am.

When playing, she gives very gentle nibbles. Sometimes she has a little trouble with her extra toe getting stuck. She's the best cat we could have wished for. She's Purr-fect! Meow!

- Daisy's new favorite playmate

Andrew with Fancy

Fancy Goes Home

Fancy, a Greyhound and American Pit bull Terrier mix, walked timidly into our admissions lobby confused and on edge. She could sense the taught energy in the air and was unsure about what to expect. After over a year of devotion, loyalty and companionship to her family, her owners decided that they had too many pets and simply couldn’t care for Fancy any longer.

With a gentle goodbye and pat of the head, the leash was handed over to the AHS admissions staff member on duty. Fancy was hesitant to follow this new person, but was comforted by a soft voice and reassured to continue along.

After some brief petting and prodding, Fancy was placed gently into a kennel. She sniffed around, examining the new and unfamiliar smells and objects, gathering as much information as she could about this new place. Although the walls around her thundered and echoed with barks and whines, Fancy sensed that she was in no immediate danger, so scratched at the towel and cuddled up against a stuffed toy to lay down and rest. Read full story here

Astro and Starla

Radar Love with Astro and Starla

My husband and I had recently put our dog Danger down to sleep. It was a hard situation for the both of us and we were not used to coming home to an empty house.

Then, we found Astro (the black dog), brought him home and fell in love with him immediately! We were also told that there was a "girl version" of him, named Emma (tan dog), available at the Sunnyslope location being released from foster care. We called and had a hold put on her for us while she was being spayed and then we got the call! My Aunt, myself and Astro went down to do the introduction and the 2 have been inseparable ever since.

We have never had more than 1 dog at a time so this was new for us. The relationship that Starla (previously named Emma) and Astro have is unbelievable! They love each other and take care of each other in the best way. They both fell into our lives, and each others right at the perfect time.

- Joleene & Jason

Stanley

The Cat that Thinks He's a Dog

When Stanley George Sprockets (Stanley for Short) was adopted he came into a very loving family. From the start he has been quite the household clown. After close observation and researching a bit, we realized he isnt an average tabby cat. He is actually a Maine Coon (a large breed).

Stanley is a very large cat. Stretched out, he spans over three and a half feet long! Stan's collar is a size medium dog collar, his bed is also a medium dog sized bed, and his food and water bowls are more like horse troughs.

He has dog like characteristics such as playing chase, drinking from the toilet, wrestling, and also stands guard poised to take down any intruders. Stan's eclectic taste in snacks has given him a palette for tortillas, Japanese seaweed rice crackers, and banana pudding.

We love our new BIG kitty!

- Marcella

Ollie

More Precious Than Gold

He was huddled down in a litter box in a large glass cage when we first saw Ollie. In the tiny get-acquainted room, the beautiful, two-year-old, long-haired, lynxpoint, Siamese-mix cat demonstrated his extremely affectionate nature. Of course, he came home with us. That was on March 15, 2002. Because we were senior citizens, Ollie was adopted for a mere $30.00.

Very early in the morning of February 26, 2005, Ollie suddenly leapt from the foot of the bed and raced out of the room. Nancy, who is hard of hearing, instantly followed him to see what had alarmed the cat. Ollie led her to the living room where Fred had fallen on the floor. He couldn't rise because his left side had become paralyzed. Nancy had been unable to hear his soft call for help. The EMTs arrived within two minutes of the 911 call and Fred was rushed to the Stroke Center at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital.

Fred is still recovering from the stroke but can walk without a cane and is living an active life. Fortunately, Ollie was there to prevent a more serious outcome. He may have cost only $30.00, but Ollie is more precious than gold to us.

- Fred and Nancy

Stormie

A Lonely Hearts Rescue

The first time I saw Stormie, I was working at the Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion as a volunteer. I knew he’d been rescued from a storm drain after being trapped for several days. They said it took dozens of people and half a day to get this poor, frightened kitty out of the drain.

 

Week after week went by, yet this quiet, but affectionate guy was still without a loving home for some reason. When he became a member of the Lonely Hearts Club, I just couldn’t bear to let anyone else have this cutie…he’d become my favorite! So I adopted him in May of 2007.

 

Stormie has since made himself at home with his brothers – Calvin, Billy and Tobie – and his sister, Jetta. He never passes up a chance to chase them down the hall and up the kitty condos. He enjoys sleeping in the strangest locations and the most uncomfortable positions. Stormie always stays in the same room as me, keeping me company. He makes me laugh on a daily basis and could not have a more loving family!

 

- Brian J.