Adoption & Fostering · Kinship

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adoption & fostering

New pet parent (or still thinking about fostering or adopting a pet)? Get all the advice you need: how to find the right pet for you, how to introduce them to other pets and kids, and how to bond with your new family member.

a man and a woman with tattoos huge a red and white dog

“You realise that they can’t do anything without you. They need you. But then you realise you need them just as much”

two men with black hair stroke their cat who is sticking his tongue out

Cats are famous for turning up again weeks, months and even years after they disappear. But why? And how do they do it?

Tabby cat

The charity’s latest figures reveal that cats are increasingly falling victim to deliberate weapon attacks

a woman holds up a dog with one eye they are both smiling

“I can rely on my cats to be there – no ghosting here – and, claws aside, they’ll  never intentionally hurt me”

person holding a dogs face in their hands

Animal rescue centres are full as costs to provide emergency shelter mount to approximately £500,000 a month

White cat on their back with paw in the air, lying on an Ikea blanket

No pets were asked to construct IKEA flat-pack furniture with their significant other in the making of these images

A woman with glasses holds out a whippet to a boy with pink hair and glasses

It should be a last resort, and there are plenty of options to explore first, but here’s how to surrender your pet safely if you have to

A dog lying on a rug with a litter of puppies feeding from her.

It’s not quite the same as buying secondhand clothes…

a woman hugging her cat with blonde hair

Not sure if you can afford to bankroll a new cat for the rest of its life? Check out our comprehensive guide for all the costs involved

A man sitting at his kitchen table using a laptop with a black and white cat on his lap.

A report shows that man has a new best friend

Tabby cat trying to open with her head window in order to enter the house.

TikTok thinks the universe just provides you a cat – is that really a thing?


woman hugging dog

If you’re struggling with pet care costs, you are far from alone and there’s no shame seeking help. Here’s a few places to start

Two senior cats laying on a couch

I adopted a couple of seniors because cats, like wine, only get better with age

two bonded kittens snuggling

Here’s why bonded kitties, senior cats and felines with FIV make just as amazing pets as any other

Woman using a laptop in bed, looking at her cat

Here’s how to help your rescue kitty feel at home

A kitten laying on a persons lap with their paws in the air.

Ready to make a difference in a kitten’s life?

taylour paige and her dogs

“Having dogs, rescue dogs, is not always convenient or comfortable — you have to get used to being uncomfortable. But it’s so worth it. The love is immeasurable.”

Couple laying on the floor with their kitten during Christmas

Puppies and kittens are cute, but read this expert advice before attaching a bow to their collars and handing them to a pal

A larger cat holding a baby kitten.

Age isn’t always just a number

2 cats on a small chair

Feels high stakes because it kind of is

"Puppy Bowl" referee Dan Schachner smiling at camera surrounded by puppies

We spoke to the longtime official on adoptable puppies, special needs MVPs and hosts Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg

Kitten sitting on a blanket

A vet breaks down everything you need to know when you bring home a new kitten

Two tabby cats cuddling each other with their eyes closed

Cat behaviourist Kristiina Wilson on the importance of socialising cats

Curly afro woman stroking her bonded cats on the couch in living room

Some besties are inseparable, and that’s not always a bad thing

Blonde woman with hand tattoo kissing her gray kitten

From where to begin looking to how to prepare your home for the new arrival

hannah shaw royal canin shelter project

The rescue advocate and pet nutrition brand are partnering with Greater Good Charities for a contest that will reward 20 shelters across the U.S. $1,000 grants. 


Cat sitting on a kitchen chair, looking at the camera

A cat behaviourist’s 10 steps for keeping your cat out of trouble

woman with new puppy

Sound advice from seasoned dog and cat parents who have been there

A woman with dark curly hair lifting a box with a plant in a pot balanced on top to another area in the home

7 tips for acing your inspection and bringing your new pup home

A dog and cat sitting next to eachother on a fur blanket on a couch

Double trouble or double the fun? Dog trainer Lindsay Hamrick weighs in

Woman in a grey t-shirt and black overalls holding a sad looking ginger kitten

Why adopting two kittens may be easier (and better for them) than adopting one

A hand reaching towards a cat peaking out of a cage.

From medical history to adoption fees to litter preferences, here’s everything you need to know

A woman staring at her computer while holding her dog close.

It’s a big decision, so tick these boxes before you sign on the dotted line

Two cute kittens playing.

Is it double the trouble or double the fun?

Profile view of a man giving a cat food to eat

A veterinary nutritionist explains the causes, signs and treatment for how to increase their appetite

Girl sitting on couch hugging her playful dog with the window open to outside

For starters: no, they’re not all traumatized and yes, you can find purebred puppy.

Man wearing pink headphones playing with dog on sofa with plants and a painting in the background

Some animal rescues allow trial runs for interested adopters. Get the scoop on how foster-to-adopt programs work.

A woman with tattoos hugging her white cat in a cluttered, art-filled room

A rundown of the most common cat expenses

the cast of Barbie with a small white cat and white Pit Bull dog

Here are the pinkest, sparkliest, wittiest Barbie movie-inspired names for your dog or cat.

shelter kittens playing with a round blue plastic toy with balls

Seriously, you can donate to shelters just by shopping!

A hand holding a kitten with a cat tattooed at the hand.

Hannah Shaw, a.k.a. Kitten Lady, on how you can help with the springtime arrival of orphaned kittens.

A woman kissing her dog on a couch.

A study found that millennials are choosing pets over kids. Here’s why.

A sad dog in a cage with its head and paws sticking out.

The state passed a bill that will end the inhumane breeding and transport process. 

Kinship's cover star Hannah Shaw smiling at the camera behind a cat tower with two kittens sitting on top of it

The lion-hearted animal advocate on rescuing her first kitten in a tree, designing an orphaned animal nursery, and becoming an Instagram sensation.

Young woman in online call sitting on couch in her living room on laptop

Ready to take the plunge? Here’s everything you need to know about applying to adopt a pet.

A veterinarian taking a look at a cat.

If you’re helping out a homeless pet, shouldn’t that be worth a freebie? The reality is, it costs a lot of money to care for shelter animals and to keep a shelter clean and safe.

Young woman caressing Great Dane dog on floor at home

When you realize your home or lifestyle is not a good fit for your pet, you’re put in an unenviable position. But it doesn’t have to be a lose-lose. 

Young Woman With Tattoos Holds Cat In Home While Sitting In Chair.

How to christen your cat with an ingenious name (and IG handle).

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