37 Adopting a Pet Quotes: Heartfelt and Inspiring Sayings

Have you ever thought about bringing a furry, feathered, or scaled friend into your life? I've always loved animals, and the idea of having a dog has been a dream of mine for years. But, I also knew it was a big decision, a real commitment. It's not just about cute cuddles; it's about taking care of another living being. 

That's where the idea of adoption really resonated with me. It's about giving a home to a pet who needs one, and in return, getting so much love and joy.

Key Takeaways:

• Adopting a pet is a mutually beneficial experience, offering love and companionship to both the pet and the owner.

• Numerous quotes highlight the profound impact of pet adoption on both humans and animals.

• The adoption process involves several stages, including an application, interview, and home visit.

• Adopting a pet comes with responsibilities, including providing care, training, and a safe environment.

• "Adopt, Don't Shop" is a movement encouraging adoption from shelters to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia.

• Adopting senior pets offers unique rewards, providing them with a loving home in their golden years.

My friend, Sarah, recently adopted a dog from a local shelter. He was an older dog, a bit timid, and had clearly been through some tough times. Honestly, I wasn't sure how it would go. But watching their relationship blossom has been incredible. He's become more confident, playful, and his tail wags constantly.

Sarah says he's brought so much joy and purpose into her life. It's a perfect example of how adoption can be truly transformative. It shows that adopting is a win-win. The Pet gains a loving home, and the person gains a loyal companion.

These adopting a pet quotes perfectly capture that feeling:

• "Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever." - Karen Davison

• "When you adopt a shelter pet, you save two lives. The one you adopt and the one who takes its place." - Anonymous

• "You can’t change a dog’s past, but you can rewrite the future." - Anonymous

• "It’s rewarding beyond words to rescue a dog from the shelter and have that dog become part of your family." - Jenna Morasca

• "From the moment they placed you in my arms, you snuggled right into my heart." - Anonymous

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There's something special about the bond you form with a rescue pet. Maybe it's because they know they've been given a second chance. Or maybe it's just the pure, unconditional love that animals are so good at giving. Whatever it is, it's a powerful connection. I have seen it again, and again.

These quotes speak to that unique bond:

• "The unconditional love and loyalty of a rescue dog is a testament to the resilience of the canine spirit." - Eileen Anglin

• "Unconditional love is as close as your nearest shelter." - Anonymous

• "A dog’s heart is bigger than any ‘thing’ you can ever own." - Elizabeth Parker

• "Our dogs will love and admire the meanest of us and feed our colossal vanity with their uncritical homage." - Agnes Repplier

• "The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be." - Konrad Lorenz

• "When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul." - A.D. Williams

The adoption process might seem a little involved at first, but it's all designed to ensure a good match. Usually, it starts with an application, where you provide information about your lifestyle and home. Then, there's often an interview, where the shelter staff get to know you better. Sometimes, they'll even do a home visit to make sure your place is suitable for a pet. It's all about finding the right fit, for both you and the animal.

These quotes reflect the joy of finding that perfect companion:

• "The perfect rescue dog is out there for everybody. You just have to find it." - Josh Hopkins

• "Adopting a pet is not just about giving a home; it’s about gaining a friend." - Anonymous

• "Looking for a good time? Adopt a shelter dog." - Anonymous

• "The best things in life are rescued." - Anonymous

• "When you look into the eyes of an animal you’ve rescued, you can’t help but fall in love." - Paul Shaffer

While the cuddles and playtime are wonderful, adopting a pet is also a big responsibility. It's a commitment to provide for their needs, both physical and emotional. That means proper food, vet care, training, and plenty of love and attention. Sometimes, there might be challenges, especially if the pet has had a difficult past. But with patience and understanding, you can help them adjust and thrive.

• Over 6 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year in the United States.

• 56% of dogs and 65% of cats in shelters are adopted annually.

These quotes emphasize the importance of responsibility:

• "Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny, and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children." - Michael Morpurgo

• "A man is truly ethical only when he obeys the compulsion to help all life he is able to assist and shrinks from injuring anything that lives." - Albert Schweitzer

• "Adopting a pet is a big responsibility, but it’s also incredibly rewarding." - Anonymous

• "If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals." - Albert Einstein

• "A dog is like a person – he needs a job and a family to be what he’s meant to be." - Andrew Vachss

The phrase "Adopt, Don't Shop" has become a powerful message. It highlights the importance of choosing adoption over buying from breeders, especially when so many animals are waiting for homes in shelters. By adopting, you're not only giving a home to a deserving pet, but you're also helping to reduce pet overpopulation and the sad reality of euthanasia in overcrowded shelters.

• Adoptions are increasing: There was a 4% increase in adoptions for both dogs and cats in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

• Euthanasia rates are decreasing: The number of pets killed in shelters decreased by 3.4% during the same period.

These quotes support the "Adopt, Don't Shop" philosophy:

• "My mission is to rescue. My dream is that one day I won’t have to." - Anonymous

• "How can anyone abandon a beautifully loyal dog? It’s not an accessory, it’s your best friend." - Ricky Gervais

• "Every human should not buy a dog but rescue in need and free him from the sufferings and give him love, care, and shelter." - Ridhima Badola

• "People who say money can’t buy you happiness have never paid an adoption fee." - Anonymous

• "Shelter dogs aren’t broken. They’ve simply experienced more life than other dogs." - Anonymous

• "Some people see an unfortunate dog sitting in a shelter. I see an angel that someone threw away." - Anonymous

Sometimes, older pets get overlooked in shelters. People often want puppies or kittens. But senior pets have so much love to give, and they often come with some great advantages. They're usually already house-trained, less energetic, and just grateful for a warm bed and a loving family . I read a story once about an elderly couple who adopted a senior dog, and it was a perfect match. The dog provided companionship, and the couple provided a peaceful, loving home for the dog's golden years.

These quotes celebrate the joys of adopting senior pets:

• "Adopting a shelter dog is an excellent way to turn love into action." - Abby Underdog

• "Being a hero to someone, even if it is just a dog, is a feeling like no other." - Elizabeth Parker

• "I would get a rescue dog; I don’t care. I would probably get a three-legged dog no one else wanted." - Simon Cowell

• "I now have a dog that I care for, I see things that I needed to see, that lovely dog that I rescued. Really ended up rescuing me." - Anonymous

• "He who feeds a hungry animal feeds his own soul." - Charlie Chaplin

Pets truly enrich our lives. They bring us joy, companionship, and unconditional love. They teach us patience, responsibility, and the importance of living in the moment. They're more than just animals; they become part of our families.

Here are some more quotes that capture the beautiful bond between humans and animals:

• "Pets are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

• "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi

• "Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras (Same as above, but worth repeating!)

• "Pets bring joy and companionship into our lives." - Anonymous

• "After we bring food home from the grocery store…Dogs must think we are the greatest hunters ever!" - Ann Taylor

• "When most of us talk to our dogs, we tend to forget they’re not people." - Julia Glass

The numbers tell a compelling story about pet adoption. They highlight both the challenges and the progress being made.

• Shelter Intake: Over 6 million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters annually.

• Adoption Rates: 56% of dogs and 65% of cats in shelters are adopted each year.

• Annual Adoptions: 2.2 million dogs and 2.6 million cats were adopted in 2023.

• Adoption Increase: Adoptions are going up! There was a 4% jump in adoptions for dogs and cats in the early part of 2024 compared to 2023.

• Euthanasia Decrease: Good news, the number of pets put down in shelters went down by 3.4% in that same time.

• No-Kill Shelters: Nearly two-thirds of U.S. shelters are now considered "no-kill."