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These 12 stories of animal rescues and adoptions highlight compassion. Take a look

Stories by Real-Time News journalists, with AI summarization

Animal rescues and adoptions illustrate the power of giving animals a second chance at life while fostering hope for both rescues and adopters. Stories like that of Macaroni, a surrendered pug mix, highlight the emotional toll displacement can have on pets, while cases such as terrified cats abandoned in crates underscore the urgency of proper surrender processes. Many animals, like Trooper and Thelma, endure traumatic situations before finding safety, illustrating resilience and the critical role of intervention by shelters and volunteers.

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.

An emotional note was found with puppies at a North Carolina shelter, photos show. Screengrab from the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society on Facebook

NO. 1: ‘PLEASE DO NOT THINK POORLY OF ME.’ HEARTBREAKING NOTE FOUND WITH PUPPIES AT NC SHELTER

“I just want them to be given the chance.” | Published January 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Macaroni, a terrified 1-year-old pug mix left at a California shelter, continues to seek a new home as she faces separation anxiety. Photo from HIT Living Foundation

NO. 2: ONCE ‘QUIVERING WITH FEAR’ AS FAMILY SURRENDERED HER, MACARONI STILL LOOKING FOR HOME

“She’s so afraid her people will leave her again,” a California dog rescue says. | Published March 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Don Sweeney

Fanta the Alabama pup is described as playful and “full of wrinkles.” SOS Animal Shelter

NO. 3: ‘SAD’ PUPPY WATCHED AND WAITED AS 6 SIBLINGS GOT ADOPTED. NOW, SHE STILL NEEDS A HOME

Fanta the Alabama pup is described as playful and “full of wrinkles.” | Published April 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Pearl, left, and Dolly are North Carolina cats known for their “playful spirits.” Humane Society of Davie County

NO. 4: ‘INSEPARABLE’ KITTEN SISTERS BONDED IN ‘LOVING HOME.’ NOW THEY NEED NEW ONE — TOGETHER

Their “truly heartbroken” family returned them to a North Carolina rescue. | Published April 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Ernie seriously loves his toys Screengrab from Helping Hands Humane Society's Facebook page

NO. 5: ‘GOOFY’ PUP CAN’T SIT STILL WAITING 140 DAYS FOR HOME AT KANSAS SHELTER. MEET ERNIE

“He’s truly just a big kid who is excited to get attention and looking for fun.” | Published May 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by TJ Macias

Nine terrified cats were “crammed” into two crates and left on the steps of an Iowa animal shelter. Now, they’re getting a second chance. Screengrab from Kings Harvest Pet Rescue on Facebook

NO. 6: TERRIFIED CATS FOUND ‘CRAMMED’ IN CRATES OUTSIDE IOWA SHELTER. THEY GET SECOND CHANCE

“These poor babies are traumatized!” the shelter said. | Published June 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kate Linderman

A pit bull/terrier mix named Gus has a new home after his previous owners asked to euthanize him — even though he didn’t need to be. Southeast Missouri Pets

NO. 7: ‘FRIENDLY’ DOG NAMED GUS SAVED AFTER OWNER WANTED HIM PUT DOWN. NOW HE HAS A NEW HOME

“He loves people and is eager to please,” the Missouri shelter said of the 8-year-old dog. | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Stunson

Three out of four German shepherd mix puppies that were abandoned in Georgia are still up for adoption, a shelter said July 25. Screengrab from the Haralson County Animal Shelter's Facebook post

NO. 8: PUPPIES DUMPED FROM SUV NOW UP FOR ADOPTION, GEORGIA COPS SAY. MAN AND WOMAN CHARGED

Three of the four abandoned German shepherd mixes have been adopted, the shelter said. | Published July 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd

Trooper is a “sweet” dog despite “all he’s been through,” a South Carolina shelter said.​Charleston Animal Society

NO. 9: DOG ‘RUNNING SCARED’ IN SC SWAMP FOR DAYS IS FINALLY RESCUED. ‘SWEET’ PUP NEEDS A HOME

A man “wouldn’t give up” on helping the dog. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Kino, an American Staffordshire Terrier, is the longest resident at the Wake County Animal Center having been there for over 200 days. Joanne Wetzel Courtesy of the Wake County Animal Center

NO. 10: ‘SWEET AND GENTLE’ DOG LINGERED AT WAKE SHELTER OVER 230 DAYS. NOW HE’S GOT A NEW FAMILY.

Kino, the 7-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier, was taken to the shelter after his owner went to the hospital. | Published January 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kristen Johnson

Thelma the mama dog is up for adoption in South Carolina. Photo courtesy of Gregory and Ellen Crabtree

NO. 11: ‘STARVED’ DOG SHOCKED SC RESCUERS WITH LITTER OF PUPS. NOW ALL ARE ADOPTED — BUT HER

The mama pup was rescued during a tropical storm. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

A dog with a “heart full of love” is up for adoption in South Carolina. Screengrab from the Charleston Animal Society on Facebook

NO. 12: DOG SPENT 9 YEARS AS ‘LOVING COMPANION,’ THEN LANDED AT SHELTER. SHE NEEDS A NEW HOME

“She desperately needs a friend,” a South Carolina shelter wrote. | Published February 18, 2025 | 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.