14 shelter animals that overcame hardships and found second chances in new homes
These heartwarming rescue stories highlight the journeys of animals finding loving homes after enduring hardship. In one case, a volunteer at a Florida shelter realized he loved Casper the dog too much to let him go.
In another story, a resilient stray cat named Lemon Squeeze escaped a taped box in Texas and was later adopted.
Each of these animals has overcome rough conditions and found new families.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
No. 1: Man cared for adoptable dog — and realized he loved him ‘too much to let him go’
The Florida dog’s first adoption didn’t work out, but now the pup is “where he belongs.” | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 2: Abandoned cat trapped in taped box breaks free, Texas vet says. Meet Lemon Squeeze
The cat was in a suitcase inside a sealed cardboard box, which a woman dumped over a chain link fence, security video showed. | Read full story by Mitchell Willetts
No. 3: 3-pound Chihuahua rescued near busy interstate. Now, ‘lucky’ pup thrives in new home
Meet Sparkle, the “sweet” Massachusetts puppy. | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 4: She came to look at another shelter dog — then met Cupid. ‘It was love at first sight’
Cupid the “sweet” dog had spent about 200 days at a North Carolina shelter. | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 5: Sweet shelter cat was target of snickering. He found owner to ‘see past his exterior’
The playful cat kept being overlooked, a Pennsylvania animal shelter said. | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 6: Pup was losing hope of finding a home — then a stranger drove 15 hours to save him
“Even his playful nature with cats can’t hide the painful truth: the shelter, meant to be a temporary refuge, has become a heartbreaking prison,” the Ohio shelter said about Rosco the pup. | Read full story by T.J. Macias
No. 7: Shivering dog found crammed in ‘frost-covered crate’ in NC. Then his luck took a turn
“Our hearts broke for this poor dog!” | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 8: ‘Spunky and fun’ senior shelter dog needed a new owner. Then came the ‘perfect’ match
The loving pup was “patiently waiting” for a home, a Florida shelter said. | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 9: ‘Shy but affectionate’ cat was at NC shelter for 265 days. Then came a ‘perfect match’
The cat got a second chance after his past owner could no longer take care of him. | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 10: ‘Observant’ cat kept watching people pass him up. 199 days later, he has a new home
The North Carolina cat is known for having a “heart of gold.” | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 11: She fell in love with shelter dog — but couldn’t adopt. Then came a joyful reunion
“They do everything together — eating, napping, following people around the shelter.” | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 12: Woman on wait list for puppy has heart stolen by ‘sweet’ senior dog who lost his owner
“He gained a mom who loves him like she had him his whole life,” a Florida animal rescue said. | Read full story by Simone Jasper
No. 13: Dog named after iconic movie character gets new home after being found on Texas road
“One day, a kind-hearted lady found me scared and alone on the side of the road,” the humane society said of the 15-pound dog. | Read full story by Mike Stunson
No. 14: ‘Lovable’ pup rescued from dog fighting helped other animals. Then came more good news
“Doug is the true definition of a survivor,” a Florida shelter said. | Read full story by Simone Jasper
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.
