Year in Review: Celebrities Who Chose Pet Adoption

Before we say goodbye to 2017, let’s take a look back at a few of the famous faces who said “Hello” this year to a new furry family member from a rescue organization or shelter!

Once in need of a forever pet parent, a tiny tabby now lives 24/7 in the home of 24: Live Another Day star Emily Berrington! The British star cast little Chinny in the role of her fur baby after meeting the cuddly kitty at the RSPCA Friern Barnet Adoption Centre. Discussing the need to heed the plight of homeless animals, the Humans star stated: ‘I think it is so important to adopt, not shop. There are always so many rescue cats and kittens waiting for homes and I knew I wanted to be part of that.”

She makes TV viewers laugh each week as neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on the hit CBS comedy series The Big Bang Theory, and Mayim Bialik has put a smile on the faces of her feline-loving fan in 2017 for taking on the real life role of a pet parent to a cat with special needs. Born without a pectoral muscle, the metal inside the kitten (which acts as protection) was the inspiration for her meowing pal’s moniker– Adamantium, a fictional metal which has molded itself into Marvel Comic’s legend. The actress, who has used her star wattage to shine a spotlight on such paws causes as putting an end to animal testing and promoting the option of pet adoption, found her new fur baby at Shelter Chic, a foster-based rescue in New York City. Today Addie shares a home with her fur siblings Nermal, Shadow, Seaweed and Frances Miffy Goes to the Zoo.

A post shared by mayim bialik (@missmayim) on Jun 6, 2017 at 5:57pm PDT

Celebrity chef Alton Brown offered his Instagram followers a feast for the eyes this past spring when he posted pictures of the two kittens who are spicing up his life. Dubbed Stir Fry and Shrimp Toast, the two black and white kitties were strays found near the Food Network star’s office.

British actor Ivan Kaye, who starred as King Aelle in the History channel series Vikings, is a prince for opening up his heart and home to an adorable adoptable named Kato. The three year old was one of more than 260 cats and kittens in 2017 alone who have found forever families to love thanks to the London animal welfare organization The Mayhew Animal Home, where Poldark star Beatie Edney found her new four-legged friend– a Yorkshire Terrier named Button — earlier this year. Discussing his new kitty companion, the actor stated: “I fell in love with him straight away. He is a feisty character, but that’s what I love about him.”

Countless cats and canines found their forever homes this year thanks to her MuttNation Foundation, and a trio of charming tabbies were lucky enough to take center stage in the life of country crooner Miranda Lambert in 2017. Already a multi-pet parent, the singer with the signature saying “Don’t forget, love a shelter pet!” welcomed into her fur family cats dubbed Bobbi McGee (after the Kris Kristofferson co-penned tune made famous by Janis Joplin), Nick Saban (in honor of the University of Alabama head football coach) and Bear Bryant, named after the football great and former head coach of the Crimson Tide. The platinum-selling singer with a heart of gold met her new kitty companions at the Maury County Animal Shelter in Columbia, Tennessee.

A post shared by Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) on Feb 28, 2017 at 4:48pm PST

When we welcome an animal into our heart and home we know that along with the happiness will eventually come heartache. That time came far too soon for British model/reality personality Lucy Watson, who broke the sad news in September that the rescue kitten she had adopted four months before had passed away after a sudden illness. Taking to Twitter, the former Made in Chelsea star stated: “Last night we lost an angel that was too pure for this earth. the house feels empty. our hearts are broken…life isn’t fair. (sic)” The vegan advocate, who had also mourned the loss of her 17-year-old cat Phoebe earlier in the year, had helped to promote the option of pet adoption as the RSPCA Southall Cattery filmed her search for her new furry family member: