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There’s no doubt that adopting a pet can change your life. Suddenly, you have a new best friend who will always be eagerly waiting by the door when you return home. But this experience can be equally transformational for the little creature that you’ve decided to welcome into your family, and this list is definitely proof of that.

We took a trip to the Before N After Adoption subreddit and gathered some of their most adorable photos of kitties down below. Some of these cats have clearly been through a lot in life, but since being adopted into loving homes, they’re now thriving! Enjoy scrolling through this heartwarming list, and keep reading to find conversations with Bonne VeVea, Executive Director of MEOW Cat Rescue, and Emily Verna, President of Furry Friends Rescue!

#1 Before And After In One Week. My Recent Rescue – White Cat With Diaphragmatic Hernia. Twp Days Ago He Had A Surgery And He Had Only 10% Chance To Survive. And He Sucessed

Image credits: ElectricalTravel1671

#2 Tinker Before And Six Months After Adoption

Image credits: Delicious_Ad_2137

#3 Day Of Adoption And One Month Later. My Sylvester

Image credits: ilovemyweirdcat

According to Shelter Animals Count, over 1,565,000 cats entered shelters and rescues in the United States during the first half of 2024. And millions of other kitties around the globe are patiently waiting to be adopted into their forever homes. While it sadly doesn’t happen for every kitty, it’s absolutely heartwarming when precious cats, like the ones featured on this list, finally are united with families.

To find out more about this topic, we got in touch with Bonne VeVea, Executive Director of MEOW Cat Rescue. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss the transformations that kitties can undergo after being adopted into loving homes.

#4 Found In A Thunderstorm On The Side Of A Highway, Nearly Passing Away- 2 Months Later She’s My Thriving Velcro Kitty!

Image credits: JPetty97

#5 My Cat Has Officially Lost Half Of His Body Weight!! He Is So Much More Active And Healthy ♥️

Image credits: Sad_Serve8152

#6 Before And After We Found Our Girl, Chloe. She Was 4 Weeks Old When Found, She’s 11 Years Old Now

Image credits: Bathtub-Baracuda

“Only the most confident of cats will not experience a period of transformation after being adopted,” Bonne shared. “Many shelter cats and kittens have lived through uncertainty, possibly hunger and fear, even illness or injury. Change, even positive change, can be daunting.”

“But soon they recognize kindness in their new humans, and the effects of that can be seen as their body language changes,” the cat expert says. “They begin responding to a soft voice and a gentle touch. Their eyes may blink slowly, and their faces change. They are more comfortable with closeness. They’re becoming family.”

#7 A Brave Little Cat

Image credits: The-Merlion

#8 Desi Showed Up In My Yard, Eating Garbage And Licking Dry Plates Of Old Cat Food

Image credits: Literary_Octopus

#9 My GF’s Cat. They Don’t Know Her Whole Story But Needless To Say She Was Severely Neglected

Image credits: Helstark

But it’s important to know that there’s no exact formula when it comes to how long a cat will take to adjust to their new home. “The time it takes for a cat to truly become comfortable depends on so many factors,” Bonne says. “It would be unwise and unfair to have unrealistic expectations. It is up to the adopter to accept a new pet as they are and then gently help them to become their best selves over time.”

#10 7 Years Of Being A Stray Cat vs. 1 Year As A House Cat

Image credits: JUSTAN0TH3RDUDE

#11 3 Months Apart. Turns Out Gregory Did Love Astronomy!

Image credits: ajamesmccarthy

#12 I Found Her, Thought She Was A Stray. Turns Out She Belonged To A Family That Just Wanted An “Outdoor Only” Cat

Image credits: Sunieta25

We also asked Bonne if she could share some of the most important things that all prospective cat adopters should know. “This is a lifelong commitment. Take it slow. If there should be issues or questions, reach out for advice,” the expert noted. “Approach this new relationship without expectations, but with love and kindness, acceptance and patience, an open heart. You are beginning a wonderful experience that will probably change lives – theirs and yours.”

#13 Deaf Beliashka From The Kitten Mill (Now Adopted). Before And After

Image credits: ElectricalTravel1671

#14 No Longer Frowning

Image credits: ruthsvader

#15 This Is A Very Sickly Yuki The Day I Got Him vs. Now (6 Years Later)

Image credits: tfeller1126

Finally, Bonne shared a beautiful story of a cat named Boyko, one of five so far who have come to MEOW from a pop-up shelter in Ukraine.

“His whole saga has been storybook, from being trapped as a young feral on the front lines of the war between Ukraine and Russia, to his struggles learning to trust humans while at the shelter there and also in the U.S., to being adopted by a lovely young Seattle couple (she being from Ukraine, and he from Russia),” Bonne explained. “Boyko, now Shprot, has had quite a journey, and sharing his story in Bored Panda would be such an honor.”

#16 Philomena

Image credits: afdc92

#17 Before And After Adoption. My New Rescued 12 Yo Cat. He Was Hit By A Car 6 Months Ago And The Owner Refused To Treat Him. He Had A Broken Jaw. Now He Is A Big, Toothless, Affectionate Cat

Image credits: ElectricalTravel1671

#18 From The Streets Of Tunisia To The Alps, These Two Little Rescued Siblings Finally Found Peace

Image credits: cactusmat

To learn even more about this topic, we also got in touch with Emily Verna, President of Furry Friends Rescue. She was also kind enough to answer a few questions for Bored Panda and discuss how long it usually takes for kitties to get comfortable in a new home.

“It aways take a few days to weeks for a kitten or cat to adjust to a new home and new people,” Emily says. “Best to start the cat in their own room to relax and feel safe with food, water, scratching posts and bed.”

#19 The Night I Brought My Cat Max Home And 5 Years Later

Image credits: Arcangel613

#20 A Year Ago, Adopted Baby Baldur. He’s Had A Bit Of A Glow Up

Image credits: JayKayEng

#21 Before And After. My New Rescue. Milun Cat. 4 Surgeries (Ct Scan With Contrast) In 95 Days. Traumatic Hernia, Rotten Teeth, Glass In The Stomach And Pelvic Fracture

Image credits: ElectricalTravel1671

“Depending on the cat’s personality, some warm up sooner than others that might be shy until they feel safe and can trust his or her new people,” the expert continued. “Kittens adjust sooner than adult cats. But usually, a social, friendly cat can adjust in a few days to 2 weeks.”

#22 Little Buddy Showed Up On Our Porch Exactly 2 Years Ago Today 🧡

Image credits: lorange_peel

#23 Three Month Before And After Of Our Former Street Cat, Adonis!

Image credits: chaeronaea

#24 Crusty Kitty Transformed Into Cuddle Bug

Image credits: arachno-fem

And what do prospective cat owners need to know before adopting a new family member? “With healthy food and an indoor-only cat, they can live to 20 years or even older, ” Emily says. “Feed moisture and more holistic/fresh foods. Research for best quality brands. Low quality food can harm the cat and shorten their lives.”

“Avoid over vaccinating, and avoid pesticides if possible. All listed on our our holistic care and food pages on our website,” she continued. “We only feed holistic food and treats with added supplements (i.e. probiotics), so our rescue dogs and cats get healthy and happy!”

#25 Jeffy When We Met vs. Now

Image credits: ohsnapitsalex123

#26 She Was Rescued 1 Month Ago Today!

Image credits: kitties_ate_my_soul

#27 This Is What 6 Months Of Love, Food, And Cuddles Looks Like. 💕

Image credits: LifeWithFynn

Is this list giving you serious kitten fever, pandas? We hope you enjoy your journey through the rest of these heartwarming pics, and feel free to share the story of your own cat’s transformation in the comments below. Keep upvoting the photos that make you say, “Awww!” And if you’re interested in checking out even more adorable photos of cats, we’ve got another Bored Panda list that’s going to be right up your alley right here!

#28 Meet The Earl Of Lemongrab

Image credits: nmfc1987

#29 Hi, I’m Fynn. This Is My Rescue Glow-Up. 🐾

Image credits: LifeWithFynn

#30 Flea When I Rescued Him From The Road vs. Flea Today 🙂

Image credits: maddiecake2

#31 Then 🥹 And Now 😍

Image credits: Cindersxo29

#32 I Found Hamlet In The Dumpster, Now He’s My Best Friend 🍊🤍

Image credits: reddit.com

#33 99-Day Difference

Image credits: cinnamonrollsnail

#34 8 Day Difference

Image credits: justwannnaheal

#35 2.5 Months After Rescue. My 12-Year Old Munchkin Cat, Rescued From The Kitten Mill. The Cytology Results Are Negative For Cancer ❤️ She Is Completely Ok Now

Image credits: ElectricalTravel1671

#36 Skinny To Floofy

Image credits: Damsell

#37 Before And After Adoption. Miss Whiskers. I Noticed Her On 22th Of September 2024 Near Big Shopping Mall And Used A Cat Trap To Catch Her

Image credits: ElectricalTravel1671

#38 Lola’s Recovery

Image credits: Living-Ad-885

#39 Loki The Day I Caught Him vs. Two Years Later

Image credits: hereforkittensonly

#40 Meet Ned – From Sick And Depressed From Being Alone, To Playful, Happy, And Healthy In His Forever Home!

Image credits: why_cant_i_

#41 2 Years Since I Found Cinnamon On The Street🫶🏽

Image credits: PaleontologistOld230

#42 Before And After Adoption. Biba And Boba. I Was Asked To Rescue Them From The Forest Camp. They Were Found On The Main Road There More Than A Year Ago

Image credits: ElectricalTravel1671

#43 One Year Difference; From A Little Hairless Runt Found In The Grass, To A Spoiled Princess Ruling The House

We Weren’t Sure She Was Going To Make It, But Hard Work Paid Off. My Lil’ Viking Astrid

Image credits: USAGlYAMA

#44 Before And After. Bonya. I Found Him A Year Ago At The Dachas. His Fur Was Fully Knotted And Entangled And We Had To Shave Him + He Had A Big Traumatic Hernia On His Belly. Now He Has Been Adopted For A Year And Is Unrecognizable

His Fur Was Fully Knotted And Entangled And We Had To Shave Him + He Had A Big Traumatic Hernia On His Belly. Now He Has Been Adopted For A Year And Is Unrecognizable