30 Photos of Cats Before-and-After Their Adoption That Will Melt Your Heart

(TMU) — For many of us, the idea of bringing a new member into our family is a major step that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But when it comes to adopting a cat there are many reasons why this is simply a great idea, not only because you’ll be giving a new forever home to a needy animal but because of the numerous benefits of bringing a new feline friend into our family.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, not only does adopting a cat cost less, it also ensures that you’ll likely be receiving an animal that’s already been house-trained and is well-prepared to live with families. Additionally, bringing an adoptee into your home brings the promise of unconditional love as well as numerous psychological, emotional and physical benefits. Most importantly, you’ll also be saving a life.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that on a yearly basis no less than 3.2 million shelter animals find new homes. What this trend means is that “pet euthanasia rates have plummeted in big American cities in recent years, falling more than 75 percent since 2009.”

And now, feline parents on the subreddit r/BeforeNAfterAdoption are showing the stunning transformations that their adopted “fur babies” have made since they were rescued. Using stunning before-and-after photos, these altruistic adopters show how these beautiful little kittens and cats have transitioned from an often tragic existence to being integrated into nurturing homes filled with the love and care that such creatures deserve.

1. Yuzu

My boy Yuzu was a stray found by a friend of mine with the worst case of scabies we’ve ever seen (we’re all vet students). He’s also had ear mites, fungal infections, stud tail, & recurrent ear and eye infections one after the other. One year and lots of treatments later and he’s perfectly healthy! from BeforeNAfterAdoption

2. Barley

This is Barley! My son and I found her by the road. She had been abandoned. So thin… covered in fleas. The last photo was 3 months after we found her. She’s simply the sweetest little cat ever. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

3. “We’re just going to foster him…”

“We’re just going to foster him,” – my mother, in May of 2015 from BeforeNAfterAdoption

4. The Forklift Baby

One month ago, I found this baby in the wheel of my forklift at work. Now she lives at home with me. Meet Emmy (6 weeks Vs 10 weeks) from BeforeNAfterAdoption

5. Benben from Death Row

This is BenBen. Before/After death row. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

6. Melvin from the Trash Heap

Melvin: Found in a trash heap in June 2012. He spent his first night in his forever home sleeping on me. Six years later, it’s still his favorite place to be. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

7. “He just needed food and kisses.”

I had to fight my wife to not leave him at the shelter—she was concerned he’d either cost us a ton of money in vet bills or die soon since he was so sickly, turns out he just needed food and kisses from BeforeNAfterAdoption

8. Phoenix reborn

Phoenix was rescued from the streets and was covered in hot tar. Little over a month later, he looks amazing, he loves humans and is ready to enter a loving home ? from BeforeNAfterAdoption

9. Kai Mana

Kai Mana had his jaw stepped on and would be put down. I worked full time and couldn’t commit to taking care of him. But my bf took him to get surgery, and fed him kitten formula through a syringe. He brought him to his construction job, and woke up every two hours for feedings. He’s happy today. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

10. Kira from the Farm

Kira was founded almost dead of starvation in a farm with cows. She was healthy in one week and we kept her. Summer 2018. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

11. “Our sweet Cousteau!”

Our sweet Cousteau! From a scrawny street kitty in New Orleans to a prince living in Paris ♥️ from BeforeNAfterAdoption

12. Roadrunner

Before and after fostering. Roadrunner on the day I got him from the shelter, and on the day he went to his new home. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

13. Sonny from Petsmart

2 years ago today I walked into a Petsmart and met a cat named Sonny who no one would adopt because he was 13 years old, covered in fleas, underweight, and had a mouth full of rotten teeth that had to be removed. He came home with me that night and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

14. Jake

One year ago, Jake was found underneath a car, alone and half frozen. He was 4 weeks old and his mom was gone. Now he’s the biggest kitty with the most personality that I’ve ever met. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

15. “Thank you wonderful soul…”

Some wonderful soul found this little guy on the street cuddled up in a plastic container. 3 years later, he is the happiest, sweetest, most playful, curious cat. Love him so much and thank you wonderful soul, whomever you are. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

16. “The sweetest old gal…”

10 year old girl neglected by previous owners. Took a while to come out of her shell, she’s the sweetest old gal from BeforeNAfterAdoption

17. Albus from Cairo

Albus was found abandoned and starving on the streets of Cairo. The strays wouldn’t let him eat. He’s now spoilt rotten and incredibly affectionate. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

18. The Cat Bros.

These two cat brothers were rescued from the street and they are as inseparable today as they were the day I found them from BeforeNAfterAdoption

19. “A little love goes a long way.”

A little love goes a long way. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

20. Harry: “From feral to friend.”

From feral to friend (Harry’s story). Last January, we received word that there a was a feral cat found with a terrible head wound. He was on death’s doorstep. We took him in to recover and 8 months later he won’t leave our side. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

21. One month difference

I rescued the cat off the street. Photos before and after. One month difference. Part 2. from aww

22. Spooky comes back from the edge

Worked my ass off to bring Spooky back from the edge. He passed away unexpectedly weeks later but his short presence was a gift. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

23. Midnight

My Midnight’s transformation from BeforeNAfterAdoption

24. Sela

When I first saw her Sela was a sick, underweight, flea infested stray the local pound picked up. Today we celebrated her 1 year adoption day, matching party hats and all! from BeforeNAfterAdoption

25. Cupido

The shelter named him “Cupido” because he had been shot through and through with an arrow. He also had a respiratory infection because he’s FelV positive. Now he’s fat and happy. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

26. “Our little dude”

From “take me home” to “never let me go”. We adore our little dude. from BeforeNAfterAdoption

27. River

This is River. At the shelter, he was shaved as his fur was extremely matted and riddled with flees. He had coccidia and conjunctivitis. After some medicine and tlc, he’s doing amazing! He’s the most loving and affectionate kitty ever, always snuggling up and kissing me! I’ve had him for 4 months from BeforeNAfterAdoption

28. A stunning recovery

My foster went from just 3lbs with multiple infections being syringe fed to over 7lbs in just a month! from BeforeNAfterAdoption

29. Princess

Found homeless in 120 deg heat, gave birth to 5 kittens within 2 hours of us taking her in…and now She’s our princess! from BeforeNAfterAdoption

30. A gorgeous transformation

I rescued the cat off the street. Photos before and after. One month difference. Part 2. from aww

By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com