25 Celebrities Who Chose to Adopt and Rescue Pets Over Buying Them

It’s heartwarming to see celebrities use their influence for such a noble cause! Adopting animals from shelters or rescuing them off the streets not only gives those pets a second chance at a loving home but also brings much-needed attention to the issue of animal homelessness. 

When public figures like Selena Gomez, Jennifer Aniston, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Ryan Reynolds advocate for animal adoption, it sends a powerful message to millions of people who follow them.

Their advocacy helps promote the idea that adopting animals, rather than buying from breeders, is not only compassionate but often life-saving. 

Many of these celebrities are known for rescuing multiple animals, sometimes even having a large “fur family,” which adds a personal touch to their advocacy.

Their actions inspire others to consider shelters and rescues as the first choice when bringing a new pet into their lives.

It’s always wonderful to see this kind of influence being used for positive change. What’s your favorite story or celebrity from the list, or would you like me to share some more details about specific celebrities who’ve adopted shelter animals?

  1. Zooey Deschanel & Her Dogs Dot and Zelda.

Zooey Deschanel and her boyfriend initially set out to get her a pet, as she had never had one before. However, their plans changed when they met two adorable sisters, Dot and Zelda. The idea of separating them felt heartbreaking, so they adopted both, ensuring the pups stayed together.

  1. Liev Schreiber & His Rescue Dogs: Woody, Willow, and Scout.

Liev Schreiber is a proud pet parent to three rescue dogs: Woody, Willow, and Scout. Each of these furry companions found a loving home with him after being rescued, adding a special bond to Schreiber’s life.

  1. Zac Efron & Maca .

Zac Efron rescued his pit bull, Maca, from a Los Angeles shelter just in time. Maca was on the verge of being euthanized when shelter staff saved her, and shortly after, Efron adopted her, giving Maca a new lease on life.

  1. Charlize Theron & Johnny Utah and Berkley.

Growing up on a farm in South Africa, Charlize Theron developed a deep love for animals early on. Today, she’s a vocal advocate for animal rights and works with multiple organizations to support their cause. She’s also a proud pet parent to rescue dogs Johnny, Utah, and Berkley.

  1. Arnold Schwarzenegger & Dutch.

Arnold Schwarzenegger adopted Dutch, a playful pup who joined his family during the pandemic. The dog’s name is a fun nod to Schwarzenegger’s character in the movie Predator, sparking jokes about how the Terminator ended up adopting the “Predator.”

  1. Drew Barrymore & Her Furry Friends: Douglas, Lucky, and Peach.

Drew Barrymore has a long history of rescuing animals, having saved over ten throughout her life. In 2017, she rescued Douglas, a dog left behind during the San Fernando Valley fires.

A year later, Barrymore and her daughters set out to adopt a kitten but instead came home with three: Lucky, Peach, and Fern.

  1. Justin Theroux & Kuma.

Justin Theroux is an outspoken animal lover and advocate for bully breeds. He even has tattoos in honor of two of his previous dogs. 

While working with Austin Pets Alive, he learned about a dog named PoochPooch, who had been severely injured during Hurricane Harvey. Moved by her story, Theroux adopted her, renaming her Kuma and giving her a new beginning.

  1. Taylor Swift & Benjamin Button.

Benjamin Button, Taylor Swift’s beloved ragdoll cat, stole her heart during the filming of one of her music videos. After instantly falling in love with him on set, she brought him home. Now, Benjamin shares a cosy life with Taylor and her other cherished cats, Meredith and Olivia.

  1. Kellan Lutz & Koda.

Kellan Lutz has long been a vocal supporter of adopting pets rather than purchasing them. In fact, he has participated in multiple animal adoption campaigns alongside his other dog, Kola. Koda is just one of the lucky pups to be welcomed into Kellan’s loving home.

  1. Lea Michele & Sheila.

During her time filming Glee at Paramount Studios, Lea Michele discovered a litter of six kittens wandering around the set.

She decided to adopt two of them, naming them Sheila and Claude, while generously finding homes for the others, even giving some to co-star Heather Morris and the show’s directors.

  1. Luke Bryan & Kimmie.

Country music star Luke Bryan not only has a big heart for music but also for animals. In honor of his late niece, Sadie, he founded an animal rescue and now keeps over 20 different animals on his property. From ponies to chickens, dogs, and goats—his love for animals knows no bounds, including his precious dog, Kimmie.

  1. Selena Gomez & Winnie.

Selena Gomez is a devoted animal lover and has rescued an impressive seven dogs so far. Among her current companions are six adorable pups: Willie, Baylor, Chip, Chaz, Wallace, Fina, and her newest addition, Winnie.

  1. Eva Mendes & Lucho.

Actress Eva Mendes welcomed a new furry friend into her life when she adopted a dog named Lucho from the Friends For Life Rescue Network. This adoption has added warmth and love to her household.

  1. Chris Evans & Dodger.

Chris Evans met his loyal dog Dodger on the set of one of his film projects, where an animal shelter was used as the location.

At first, he didn’t realise that the dogs on set were real rescue animals, but after bonding with Dodger, he knew he had to adopt him. Their heartwarming first meeting was even caught on camera.

  1. Anne Hathaway: Kenobi and Esmeralda.

Anne Hathaway expanded her family by adopting a terrier named Kenobi, who quickly became best friends with her chocolate Labrador, Esmeralda.

  1. Ryan Reynolds: Baxter.

Ryan Reynolds described the moment he met his retriever, Baxter: “I saw this big, goofy-looking dog staring at me. I leaned down and whispered, ‘Let’s get out of here,’ and he jumped right into my car, as if he understood every word. We’ve been inseparable ever since,” he shared in an interview with ABC News.

  1. Chelsea Handler: Bert and Bernice.

After the loss of her two beloved chow chows, Tammy and Chunk, Chelsea Handler honored their memory by adopting two more chow chows from a shelter. She named them Bert and Bernice, keeping her love for the breed alive.

  1. Josh Hutcherson: Driver.

Driver, a dog with a tough start in life, was adopted by Josh Hutcherson. The dog had lost two toes and had a broken leg, but thanks to Josh’s care, Driver underwent surgery and now lives happily by his side.

  1. Hilary Duff: Lucy and Ivan.

In 2018, Hilary Duff and her partner, Matthew Koma, adopted an older dog named Lucy. Before Lucy, the couple had also brought an alpaca named Ivan into their family.

  1. Hilary Swank: Lucky, Karoo, Rumi, and Kai.

Hilary Swank is the proud owner of four rescue dogs: Lucky, Karoo, Rumi, and Kai. Swank is deeply involved in animal rescue efforts, and through her animal shelter, she has helped save and find homes for thousands of dogs.

  1. Simon Cowell & His Four Furry Friends: Daisy, Freddie, Squiddly, and Diddly.

Simon Cowell is the proud owner of four beloved dogs—Squiddly, Diddly, Freddie, and Daisy—all of whom he adopted. His pack of pups seems to bring him endless joy, and they are often seen by his side.

  1. Amanda Seyfried & Finn.

While filming Big Love, Amanda Seyfried came across a stray Australian Shepherd, whom she immediately bonded with and named Finn. Since then, Finn has become a crucial part of her life. Amanda credits Finn with helping her manage anxiety, and it’s clear that Finn is thriving in his forever home.

  1. Brooks Laich & Koda.

In 2018, Brooks Laich adopted Koda from a shelter. Koda joined the family along with two King Charles Spaniels, Lexi and Harley. Though Lexi and Harley have since passed away, Koda remains a cherished member of Brooks’ household.

  1. Rachel Bilson & Thurman Murman.

Rachel Bilson’s latest canine companion is Thurman Murman, a shaggy grey dog who’s quickly become best friends with her other dog, Penny. Thurman Murman even has his own collection of leashes, showing that this PoochPooch is living in style!

  1. Jennifer Aniston & Her Pups: Clyde and Lord Chesterfield.

Jennifer Aniston recently welcomed a new dog into her family, Lord Chesterfield. She shared an adorable photo of him sound asleep with a bone still in his mouth. He has since made fast friends with her other dogs, Clyde, a Schnauzer mix, and Sophie, a pit bull, completing her furry family.

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