Think back to the animals that have come into your life over the years. The planned pets, the unexpected ones… and maybe even the ones that found you instead of the other way around.
Have you ever adopted a stray dog or cat?
For some of you, the answer is yep—and you probably remember the moment clearly. A skinny cat hanging around your campsite. A dog wandering into your neighborhood. What started as leaving out food or water turned into something more permanent before you even realized it.
Others of you may not have adopted one personally, but you’ve certainly met strays along your travels. Campgrounds, rural roads, truck stops—animals sometimes show up where you least expect them, often looking for kindness from whoever crosses their path.
Then there are those of you who haven’t adopted a stray, but not for lack of heart. Travel schedules, housing restrictions, allergies, or existing pets can make it complicated, even when the desire to help is there. Sometimes caring means finding them assistance rather than bringing them home. Maybe you’ve found a stray another home, or taken it to a nearby vet or animal shelter.
So what about you? Have you ever taken in a stray dog or cat and made them part of your family? Go ahead and vote in today’s poll, and if you have a story, we’d love to hear how that animal found you. Animal stories are our favorite.
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- Do you shower/bathe every day?
- In good weather, do you sleep with your RV’s window(s) open or closed?
- How well-built is your RV?
- Do you listen to music while you drive?
- Do you think you’ll ever become a full-time RVer?
RVDT2843
Over the years we have adopted many animals. Currently I have a feral but somewhat friendly cat that lets only my daughter pet him. Maybe because she feeds him. He lives in the RV shelter. I know with him living in there, I will not have a mouse problem. So I consider this a mutual arrangement. I will provide food, water, and a warm bed. And he will keep my RV, mouse free. He roams during the day, but always returns later.
The dog adopted us. She came to our front door and wouldn’t leave. We called the local animal shelter and they told us if no one claims her in 3 days, she would be put down. We kept her. She added a lot of spunk to our lives.
We have adopted several cats and they have lived long happy lives enriching our lives in the process. I love my cats and when they die, we can’t wait to get another pair to love and pamper.
Total stray a dog. But our older cat comes close. Her mama gave birth inside a BBQ near Houston just before Hurricane Harvey made landfall. Shelters were full up. We adopted her. She told us her name – Mia.
We haven’t adopted strays but we have taken in several unwanted and abused dogs. They became loving members of the family in a very short time and dearly missed when they passed. The best part is our children have also taken in abused and abandoned animals for their pets.
I would say that the cats adopted us. one was pregnant and the other was seriously wounded.
We have had 4 dogs over the years, and while they were not strays, they were pound puppies. We have also had numerous cats over the years and they have all been strays. The four we currently have are partly feral.
A feral cat adopted us about six years ago, and now Mr. kitty is our dog’s best friend.
All four of our girls are rescues. I feel you can’t beat the strength of a mutt!
Growing up, my mom was always adopting stray cats that showed up on our corner lot. Usually after the demise of one on the surrounding streets. We often suspected folks would dump cats there when they heard we’d lost one. Small town.
All, except one, of our many cats are rescues. Current number is 3. All travel with us in the RV.
My son while down in the Carolinas found an abandoned puppy about 5 weeks old in a cardboard box in front of an old run down gas/convenience store. He took her. Called home and asked what he needed to do. She was loaded with fleas and surely unfed. So with his list in his phone he shopped and proceeded. Dawn for the bathing to remove the fleas, baby formula to feed. Back on the road and to home he came. She was taken to the vets for all testing of health. The vets were so surprised she was living. Full recovery. She’s beagle-rat terrier mix. Great little mouser. But have never adopted through an agency. But adopted by abandonment.
I’ve taken in many strays. I live along a country road where people dump animals because they won’t be seen doing it. The two cats and one dog that I have now are all dumped-off strays, loved and cared for. It’s funny, but when one dies, another seems to appear to take its place.
It’s called the Cat Distribution Center.
I haven’t exactly adopted a pet but, when my brother and I were elementary school age, one of my brother’s classmates had brought a dog to school to try to find it a home. My brother took it and brought it to our farm home. Our mother had a fit because the dog was female. Our father said that, since we lived in the country, it was unlikely that we would ever have to find homes for puppies. Ha, ha. You probably already know what happened! Yes, twice we had to find homes for puppies. After that last bunch, we had to give up the mother dog but were allowed to keep one of the male puppies.
Looking back, most of our cats have been strays. Our current pair, who are 15, came from the humane society, but most have been clearly lost and in need of care. Our favorite cat was a stray who had many dog-like characteristics. We had him 10 years before losing him to feline leukemia.
We lived in a ski resort area and one winter, following a big snow storm, a cat showed up. She sat on top of our firewood stack and peered into our house. We believe she was a domestic cat that was abandoned. We always had dogs and no desire for a cat …. but she melted our hearts. We took her in and gave her a warm bed in the basement. Everyday she would come up the stairs and go outside for the day. Every evening she would return and walk down to her ‘bedroom’. She was very loving and took control of our not so happy dog. This went on for a couple years until one day she didn’t return. We assumed a coyote got her. Miss her still.
Adopted? They always adopted our mom and my brothers and sisters.
Our mom had a parakeet choose her when she was just sitting in her easy outdoor chair. I was the only kid in the neighborhood who had an owl living in my bedroom.
My last pal who lasted 6 years was B.K. (Barn Kat) just showed up one day after being one of the critters dumped in our area by those —–you know. They have never heard of shelters.
A mountain lion or coyote must have taken him. Ratz! The best roommate ever, and pal especially after Joyce passed away.
Now I just have myself to talk with, no arguments, anyway, usually…… 😉 …
We’ve had several cats that came to us thru the Cat Distribution Center So far they have all been dumps except 1 who was left to us by a burglar as a 6 week old kitten Our current 1- GreyGrowly came to us 08/24 We know he’s a dump because he has no idea how to hunt We think he was severely abused because he’s terrified of people-shrinks away from any attempt to pet him and will run if you get too close to him after he finishes eating He meowed at our door until we opened it, then he’d growl at us and run away, when we shut the door he’d be back within a few minutes. Told DH he was expecting his own folks, and was startled to findout we weren’t He’s stopped growling One was thrown into our
yard as a 48 hr old kitten. We raised him on a bottle. He really thought he was a person, once I was carrying him on my shoulder as we passed a mirror DH says the expression on his face was astounded! He had the vocabulary of a 5 year old child He and DH worked up a system where raising one paw meant he was asking a question, and then DH would say Show me, & he would lead him to whatever he had a question about. Twice he led DH to scorpions that has gotten in the house.