The greatest thing you can do for a pet is to save it! Adopting a cat from a shelter and bringing it home is truly the best moment in their life. 

Here’s a collection of 20 before and after-adoption photos that show how a cat’s life transforms. These emotional pictures are a powerful reminder of the impact we can have on our furry friends’ lives. 

Some of these cats were abandoned in terrible conditions or had never known a home. Fortunately, each and every one of them has been rescued and adopted by kind-hearted people who have witnessed their incredible transformations.

1. “When I took this sweet kitty girl in to foster a month ago, she could barely see out of her crusted, watery eyes. Now, she’s happy, healthy, and ready to be adopted into her fur-ever home!”

2. “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.”

3. “My lovely Athena…a friend found her in their garage and I couldn’t resist that teensy face!”

4. “My girl Zoe, the day I found her in the street and now, two years later.”

5. “This is Ben Ben. Before/After death row.”

6. “My husband adopted Pepper because she was ‘the saddest cat he had ever seen’ and they’ve been inseparable ever since.”

7. Ollie’s shelter photo vs. at home, warm and happy:

8. “Smokey was abandoned by her momma cat and was really sick. We didn’t plan on nursing a sick kitten back to health, but I’m so glad we did!”

9. First day vs. 48 days later…

10. “This little guy was left alone in the rain. He almost died from pneumonia, and severe eye infections made him blind. One year later, this handsome boy lightens my life. His name is Stevie Wonder.”

11. Found in a dumpster: “My Dumpster Duo… someone else’s trash is definitely my treasure!”

12. “Who knew the goofy little stray we found would turn into a stunning supermodel cat?!”

13. “The power of rescue! I rescue animals. This is Pearl the day I got her, and her today in her forever home!”

14. What one month of care can do:

15. Oh, so happy.

16. “Guess who just got her all clear from the vet!”

17. “My Abby the day the animal shelter called me and now 6 years later.”

18. Princess Kimchi

19. “Sadly, I fostered a lot of stray babies in need this past year… This special girl is one of the last ones fate has met me with… I decided to keep her, so, meet Misty – my new family member.”

20. “Here’s Jack! He was found in the streets weighing only 6 ounces with infections in both eyes. Now he’s a healthy boy at almost 4.5 lbs and one eye short! Wouldn’t trade him for the world.”