One of the best things that ever happened to our family was stumbling upon a shelter pet adoption event set up at the mall. My older son was in elementary school back then. He fell in love with a small black and white kitten who was shy, but dignified.
Patches came home with us that day to be my son’s pet, and Patches was a part of the family for more than 12 years. When the cat suddenly lost a lot of weight, the vet told us it was his liver. He didn’t last long after that. We are still grateful for Patches being with us. He was there with my son all the way past Nick starting college. Patches was a big part of his childhood.
Now we focus all our solo cat, Pinkie. She was also a shelter-adopted cat. She’s very, very friendly for a cat. When I open my bedroom door in the morning, there she is, waiting for me. She’s already been fed—she just likes to have company!
Get true, unconditional, fierce, unforgettable love through shelter pet adoption!
Each year approximately 3-4 million pets are adopted from shelter and rescue groups, but 2.4 million healthy and treatable pets still need our help to find a home each year. THis post is on behalf of The Shelter Pet Project, a collaborative effort between The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund®, and the Ad Council.
The goal of The Shelter Pet Project is to make shelters and rescue groups the first place people turn when looking to get a new pet.
Actress Bellamy Young, who plays First Lady Mellie Grant on NBC’s “Scandal,” in partnership with the Shelter Pet Project, stars in a new online video featuring her adopted dog Bean and adopted cat Sadie.
Her video helps break down misconceptions surrounding shelter pets and spreads the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and loveable.
In the video, Bellamy says, “Adoption is very near and dear to my heart” and encourages those who are thinking about pet adoption to take the next step and experience a “love unlike anything you’ve ever known.”
Millions of people are looking to acquire a pet within the next year. Are you someone who can provide a loving home for shelter and rescue pets?
- Enjoy the “Meet My Shelter Pet” video featuring Bellamy Young:
- Visit TheShelterPetProject.org, where you can “meet” shelter pets through an interactive experience, search for a dog or cat from a local shelter or rescue group, read adoption success stories, and learn valuable information about pet adoption.
- I want everyone to experience the #shelterpetlove my family has had with our pets.
- Learn more here:
- https://www.facebook.com/ShelterPetProject
https://twitter.com/shelterpets
http://www.pinterest.com/shelterpets
http://instagram.com/shelterpetproject

How neat! I, too, have a special place in my heart for shelter pets — although I don’t have one yet. I’m planning to adopt a shelter dog when my youngest child (gr. 8) finishes high school. I can’t wait! Your cat is precious.