It goes without saying that having a pet is nothing short of transformative. You all of a sudden have a life to care for apart from yours, and it's something you’ll be pretty much obligated to do for the succeeding years.
It also causes a complete conversion in those who initially didn’t want pets. And as you will see in the following photos, these dads are enjoying the sheer joy that instantly entered their lives the moment they became fur parents.
We’ve collected these images from the Dads Who Did Not Want Pets subreddit, an online community abundant with good vibes. Enjoy reading!
#1 He Proclaimed That Cats Just “Aren’t As Friendly As Dogs”. Now They Eat Vanilla Ice Cream Together Like Absolute Soulmates
Image credits: entirelyunimportant
#2 Dad: We Are Not Feeding That Feral Cat. Also Dad: I Set Up A Heated Cat House In The Backward And Put A Camera So We Can Make Sure She’s Home Safe Every Night
Image credits: Missburr
#3 Dad Went From "You're Taking Him With You When You Leave." To "Are You Really Gonna Take Him With You??"
Image credits: DragonpaladinAlaine
With a growing following of 324,000 members, the Dads Who Did Not Want Pets subreddit has become a haven of feel-good content. The description is straightforward: “A place to share photos of humans with the pets they didn’t originally want.” If you’re in the same boat, you will get a kick out of these.
#4 Dad Now Asks Me To Bring The Cats (Which He Told Me Not To Adopt) Every Time I Visit
Image credits: Dizzy_Journalist4486
#5 He Said He Didn’t Want Me To Foster Because He Didn’t Want Me To Get Attached. Guess Who Is Ooey Gooey Over Them And Wants To Keep All 3 Now?
Image credits: imasauceygirl
#6 Hubs Was Never A Cat Person. Now He Tells Me How They Individually Like To Be Pet, And They All Behave And Don’t Fight When Sitting By Daddy. I Don’t Know Who Trained Who
Image credits: OllyPolly
Just by looking at the photos, you will see how happy and seemingly content these dads have been since a beloved pet entered their lives. Having animals around is known to ease loneliness and boost uplifting hormones like oxytocin.
According to experts like veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart, companion animals can also help ease PTSD symptoms that many homeless people suffer from.
#7 Caught Him Hugging The Giant Dog He Didn't Want, He Was Also Singing The Dog His Own Personal Song
Image credits: mischkazelenyy
#8 My Dad, Circa 3 Weeks Ago: "We Are Not Using My Bathroom As A Maternity Ward For The Pregnant Stray You Decided To Bring In"
Image credits: crazycatnerd
#9 I Got Mad At My Wife For Bringing Home A Kitten. He’s My Son Now
Image credits: Flamingweedle
Developmental scientist Dr. Megan Mueller agrees, stating that pets give a person a sense of purpose.
“There’s the routine of caring for a pet and the responsibility of caring for another living creature that can really provide this driving force for getting out of bed in the morning,” Dr. Mueller told The Harvard Gazette in 2023.
#10 I Saw This Online, I Hope It’s Not A Repost
Image credits: Spiffydude89
#11 He Never Wanted A Dog. Four Days After They Met, She Helped Him To Recover From A Stroke
Image credits: DreamersEyesOpen
#12 "I Will Not Be Raising That Dog" ;)
Image credits: Parmigiano_Reggiano0
A dog is referred to as “man’s best friend” for a good reason. According to Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, it’s likely due to their ability to communicate with humans.
“Dogs, for example, excel at comprehending words and interpreting tone of voice, body language, and gestures, akin to a trusted friend who can gauge one's emotional state,” an excerpt from the article reads.
#13 Found This Picture On Twitter And Thought It Was Precious (Not Mine!)
Image credits: Far-Matter4792
#14 My Husband "Doesn't Like Cats" And Refused To Let Me Get A Kitty For The Longest Time
He now gives the kitten a dab of cream cheese every morning and naps with him on the couch... but maintains that he doesn't like the little dude
Image credits: kipperkins
#15 “He’s Only Going To Be In The Way, I’ll Step On Him”
Image credits: llaisney
Experts from Psi Chi also noted that a profound emotional connection with pets is similar to human relationships, which, therefore, offers the same psychological benefits. These include decreased feelings of depression along with a boost in self-esteem.
#16 “We Are Never Getting A Cat.” -My Husband
Image credits: kariiann
#17 He Still Calls Him "Stupid Cat"
Image credits: ned883
#18 It Took Years To Convince My Dad To Get Us A Dog But Here He Is Kissing My Dog’s Foot After He Hurt It Chasing A Rabbit
Image credits: elisebuck
#19 Boyfriend Didn't Want A Kitten. He Relented During Quarantine Because He Was An Essential Worker And I Was Alone By Myself Most Days. Now They're Cuddle Buddies
Image credits: EJtheChosenOne
#20 He Was A Firm Opponent Of The Hairless Cat But Skin To Skin Is The Best Way To Connect
Image credits: literallyironic11
#21 My Dad Complains That Remus Lays In His Lap Anytime He Sits Down. This Is The Smile I Got After Saying How Jealous I Am
Image credits: pootykitten
#22 “The Only Good Use For A Cat Is To Make A Comfy Pair Of Slippers” -My Dad
Image credits: ksparklepantz
#23 My Husband, The Life Long Cat Hater
He found Crookshanks abandoned on a job and offered some token resistance when I wanted to bring him home. Six months in and while they've been tight since day 1, he often remarks that Crook is the weirdest dog he's ever had
Image credits: southernfriedcrazy
#24 My Dad: Can We Return It???
IF WE KEEP IT, IT CAN’T GO ON THE FURNITURE AND I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. My dad, out loud, mere days later: “Let’s move this pillow to give you more room. Are you comfy? Do you want some pets? Let’s read together.”
Image credits: grapefruitmaven
#25 Not The Funniest, But Definitely The Sweetest
My dad said no dogs ever again after our last one passed several years ago. My mom has always wanted a dachshund, but they both agreed to wait until retirement. But he recently realized that “life is too short not to try to make her smile every day.”
Image credits: therealmissfrizzle
#26 I Wasn't Keen On Getting Cats ( I Can't Even Pet Them), I Now Watch Videos For Cats With Luna At Least Once A Day
Image credits: SmyleGuy
#27 My Dad And His Grandcat
Image credits: DiscoAgent13
#28 No Matter How Much I Begged, My Dad Never Let Me Have A Pet When I Was Younger
This is him dragging my cat in a box (which he named the “Kitty Express”) while making train noises, and laughing like a child.
Image credits: reddit.com
#29 Tombstone My Dad Bought For The Cat He Didn't Want
Image credits: kierkegaardenia
#30 That Was Quick For The Guy Who Said He Wasn’t A Cat Person And Has Not Ever Liked Them
Image credits: MamaTexTex
#31 Dad Didn’t Want Kissems. Naturally, Kissems Loves Dad The Most
Image credits: platonicnut
#32 My Mom Texted Me This Photo Today. Before You Ask - Yes, He Made This For Himself
Image credits: nadineleee
#33 This Is My Dad Who Didn’t Want One Dog Let Alone 2 And Most Certainly Did Not Want A Cat!
Image credits: snowdropx
#34 I Don’t Want A Kitten. He’ll Destroy The Sofa
Image credits: Ice_Ice_Goose
#35 I Went To Canada For A Week And Received This Text From My Dad
Image credits: Lost-Ad-7412
#36 Update, Over A Year After Dad Finally Said Ok To Our (His) Cat, Here Is Big Mechanic Dad Enjoying The Fall Fire With His Little Boy
Image credits: kerrycooper
#37 My Dad: I Want Nothing To Do With That Pile Of Hair
Also my dad: let me build him his dog house with my own two hands, complete with stairs and a dog door leading into the house so he can have his own room and his own bathroom
Image credits: NaynaRawks
#38 My Dad Regularly Sends Me Messages Like This
Image credits: Lost-Ad-7412
#39 My Dad-Who-Did-Not-Want-Pets Comforting A Scared Pup On His First Vet Trip
Image credits: LZRoo2
#40 Dad - "I Dont Want A Dog!" Also Dad - "Gaston Need Is Own Bed And Night Table"
Image credits: Shamancito
#41 “If That Dog Enters Our Home, I’m Moving Out” -Defeated Persian Dad
Image credits: Chotuchigg
#42 Took A Lot Of Convincing To Get One Cat, Let Alone Two. Cat #2 And Dad Are Now Best Buds Who Make Pancakes Together
Image credits: Xerces_Blue
#43 “Don’t Feed Him, He’ll Keep Coming Back!” He Kept Coming Back, And Is Now A Very Happy Old Man
Image credits: malletgirl91
#44 ‘It’ll Last Two Weeks’ - My Dad 5 Years Ago
Image credits: tgejesse
#45 My Mexican Dad Who Said She Could Stay For One Week. It’s Been Ten Years Now
Image credits: abiicee
#46 My Husband Is Allergic And Hates Cats
Image credits: Scarlett_fever
#47 Cranky Dad Thought Duncan Would Be A “Weirdo” Because He Was Born An Only Kitten
Image credits: lats_n_tats
#48 Um Can We Get Some Privacy Please?
Image credits: jellylien
#49 “I Don’t Understand Why Your Mom Wants To Go Adopt Rescue Cats.” Nowadays He Brings The Cat Outside To Greet My Mom When She Returns From Work
Image credits: CromchQueen
#50 My Dad (Who Has Always Hated Cats) Sends Me Pictures Of My Cat Every Time She Hangs Out With Him
Image credits: echo_location_
