For most of us, rescuing a pet is a huge responsibility, but it’s the best thing that can happen to the animal shelter residents. To prove the power of a loving home, proud owners from all over the world are sharing photos of their family dogs before and after they were rescued. Bored Panda has decided to compile these heartwarming dog adoption images into a list, and it will clear any doubts whether or not it’s worth picking up a pup from a kennel.

From sad faces in cramped cells to wide smiles on king size beds, these k9s found happiness in their new dog rescuers homes and can’t hide their emotions. You can understand the difference pet adoption makes to a shelter inmate only if you see one, so scroll down and meet the lucky ones!

Before And After Adoption

My Ex Worked At The Spca And Refused To Let This Piglet Be Euthanized, So She Took Him Home. She Did An Amazing Job.

After Adoption

My Dog Wynter – From Living In The Streets To Relaxing In My Backyard

From Cellmates To Lifemates

Ripley At Around 6 Months In Iran And Again At Around 1 Year In Her Forever Home In The United States

Hank! Abuse Left This Poor Pup With Scars And Timidness, But Now He Smiles Ear-To-Ear

Before And After Adoption

Frank The Tank. Before And After Adoption

So My Sis Adopted Her Very First Dog And His Before And After Pics Have Me Crying

Adopted This Little Dude While On Vacation In Mexico. The Litter Was Found In The Jungle In Terrible Shape But Were Nursed Back To Health By The Local Animal Rescue Foundation. Here He Is Today Healthy, Happy And Adapting Well To His New Life As A Canadian

To The Person Who Left Her In A Park To Die 2 Years Ago… Look At Her Now! With Your Horrible Neglect Came A Whole Lot Of Happiness.

The Night We Found Him On The Street Vs 1 Week After Adoption. Meet Pablo

Before And After Adoption

This Is My Koda Bear The Day Before He Got Adopted And A Few Months After

After 4 Years In The Street, Annie Found Her Home With My Parents. First Day Vs 1 Week Later

My Friend Rescued This Sweet Girl From Being Put Down Over A Minor Skin Condition. Meet Scarlett

Before And After

Before & After Of My Adopted Pup

Before And After Adoption

Before And After Adoption

My Name Is Rey! I Was On Death Row Yesterday But Today I’m A Free Woman!

Meet Waldo. From Crusty And Underweight To A Very Fluffy Boy

Before And After Adoption

Meet Kasper! He’s Only A Pup And Travelled All The Way From Romania To Join Us In The Uk. Has Yet To Integrate And Learn The Language. Very Good Boy Nonetheless

Before And After Adoption… Nacho The One Eyed Dog

Toby At The County Shelter 2 Years Ago And Is Now King Of Our House.

“We Found Teddy’s Shelter Picture And It’s Heartbreaking. We’re So Glad He Came Into Our Lives And Is Letting His Sweet, Goofy Personality Shine! Hopefully He Knows That He’ll Be Safe, Clean, Fed, And Loved For The Rest Of His Life”

One Year Ago Today We Adopted Harper From The Fairfax Animal Shelter. She Had Been Adopted And Returned At Least Three Times In The First Year Of Her Life And Looked Alone, Scared And Confused.

From A Houston Stray To A Midwestern Princess

This Stray Girl Walked By My Sisters’ Donkey Rescue Centre. She Couldn’t Let Her Starve So She Flew Her To The Netherlands To Come Live With Us. Now She’s Alive And Kicking