Practically every cat who's no longer a kitten waits a long time to find home, even a handsome, young guy like Dickens.

Animals with disabilities, like Angel Face who is blind, need special care and special people who will take on the responsibility.

Some pets are shy in shelter settings, like Sugar Plum. A gentle, patient approach gives them confidence to be themselves.

Being lovely but large can make a dog like Grace the  the German Shepherd's life stand still until catching an adopter's eye.

Sweet Mommy is like so many mothers who come in with their litters but are often left behind as their pups or kittens get homes.

You have to look beyond Joy's prematurely greying face and "under-the-radar" presence to see her smart and cheery personality.

Some adopters steer clear of dogs like well-mannered Bagel, just because he was given up by his family. Most often it's not the animal's fault; it's because human "stuff happens."

It's not unusual for a pet to grow depressed in a shelter, as Rags did. No matter how well cared for they are in the shelter, all the animals want real homes.

Faith's story is  sadly common: being abandoned after giving birth. Faith's puppies had homes but nobody wanted her. It's very hard to find adopters who will consider mommies.

Sweet and faithful as he is, giant-breed dogs like Festivus, a mature Mastiff, have a lot of strikes against them finding adopters.

Animals with oddities or imperfections like Elf's overshot lower jaw appeal to the rare adopter who appreciates their quirky traits.

Regal Feliz is a good example of another splendid cat who spends months in circulation hoping for the right home.