News and Insights
Celebrate Shelter Pets Day 2024 Gotcha Day Stories
December 5, 2024
Every pet has a story. This Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, we’re honoring the extraordinary animals who’ve found their forever homes – and the incredible people who gave them a second chance.
Behind every wagging tail, purring cuddle, and playful zoomie is a journey of love and resilience. Whether they were overlooked, waiting for their perfect match, or simply needed the right moment to shine, their stories prove the magic of adoption.
Meet Penny, from Wolf Trap Animal Rescue!
“I had been wanting a dog of my own for years, but it was never quite the right time. After having Christmas 2020 ruined by COVID-19, I was excited to be going to Texas to spend Christmas 2021 with my family. But COVID derailed our plans again, and I was so down in the dumps that my (now) husband finally relented and told me I could get the puppy I had been eyeing. My sweet Penny was fostered with her sister who was adopted quickly, but since she hadn’t been adopted by the time her fosters were going out of town for the holiday, she had to be placed in another foster home – I still cry when I think about her not being chosen (even though that would’ve mean me not getting her). Long story short, I met her on a Saturday and by that Wednesday she was mine! We rang in the new year 2022 with her, and our lives have never been the same since. She has the biggest ears I’ve ever seen on a dog and the silliest, best personality. I’m obsessed with her and just celebrated her 3rd birthday with her buddies by making them “barkaritas” – she is 21 now after all!” – Penny’s human, Martie Lane
Say hello to Butters, from Friends of Rescue!
“We got Butters on Easter in 2017. He hooked us with his eyes. He is the friendliest and funniest cat we’ve ever had (we’ve rescued over six kitties over many years)!” – Butters’ human, Mary Alice Bernal
Hey there, Betsy, from Helping Hearts Rescue!
“In June of 2016, we had recently lost our first dog, Cletus (rescued from the Missouri Humane Association) and wanted a second dog to be a companion to our dog, Cowboy (another rescue from the Nashville Humane Association). Our neighbor had seen Betsy at an adoption event and thought her temperament was like the dog we’d lost. She had been just hours from being put down at only 4-1/4 years old. She gave us 6-1/2 more wonderful years before she succumbed to cancer in 2022. She was the sweetest dog ever.” – Betsy’s human, Mary Alice Bernal
Nice to meet you, Gordy, from Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin!
“Gordy came up to Wisconsin from Alabama via a local rescue. He and his 7 siblings spent a couple weeks in a Wisconsin foster home—along with their mom. After they were old enough, I brought Gordy home as a tiny puppy. He was (and is) active, affectionate and smart. Those puppy teeth were an experience! We nicknamed him “shark.” His mom was about 14 pounds, but I didn’t have any idea what breed his dad is, so it was a total surprise how big he’d get. He’s now 40 pounds and about to turn 7. I’m so thankful for rescue organizations. They do lifesaving work.” – Gordy’s human, Lauren West
Meet Azula, from Greenhill Humane Society!
“My girlfriend and I went to the shelter knowing we wanted to adopt an adult cat, one who had maybe been in the shelter for a bit. When we walked into her room, she instantly started wanting pets and to be held, so we knew she was the one. The staff celebrated that she was finally going to a good home!” – Azula’s human, Bjorn Johansen
Hi there, Bennie from Pixies & Paws Rescue!
“Bennie showed up as an ’emergency foster’ the day after I decided to pause on taking in any more dogs after fostering three young puppies in a row. I agreed to take him in for a week or two until he found a home, and that evening, a 100-pound, eight-year-old golden retriever showed up at my tiny apartment in Bushwick. Five minutes later, I knew this sweet bear would be staying with me forever. He is the sweetest, happiest, most loving and special dog who makes friends everywhere he goes, and he has been the biggest gift. We have explored the East coast, traveling from the beaches in Florida all the way up to the mountains of Vermont, and I truly cherish every second spent with him. With his thirteenth birthday coming up in January, I feel extra grateful, and we are already planning a bark-mitzvah :)” – Bennie’s human, Tighe Kenyon
Nice to meet you, Manny, from Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue!
“We got Manny on New Year’s Eve – on the eve of the Year of the Dog no less!” – Manny’s human, Alev de Costa
Meet the cutest clowder of kitties, Ixonia, Miles and Deirdre, from Angel’s Wish and Community Cat!
“We adopted Miles because we had just lost our giant idiot boy and needed another one. I fell in love with Ixonia at Angel’s Wish and wanted to give that one-eyed, one-toothed old lady a happy home. And Deirdre, well, I’m a sucker for cats with wonky eyes (see above), since I have wonky eyes myself…” – Their human Laura Gallagher
Strike a pose, Cindy Clawford, from McPaws Regional Animal Shelter!
“We got Cindy to be a companion for my other kitty Boris; we had lost his sister earlier in the year, and he was very used to having a sibling. I thought her name, given to her by one of the shelter workers, was hilarious and decided to keep it. When we first brought her home, it was my dog Cooper who showed the most interest in her! Cindy is hilarious. I’d forgotten how funny kittens are. She has the zoomies every morning, startles herself, and is a champion napper. She’s also a fearless climber!” – Cindy’s human, Lisa Heathman
Hey there, Millie, from Moore Animal Welfare and Adoption Center!
“While I wasn’t there on Millie’s Gotcha Day, how can you say no to that darling face?!” – Millie’s human, Laura Heppes
