11 Celebs Who Fell in Love with a Rescue Animal

Gone are the days when a purebred pet was a big time status symbol. In these more enlightened times, rescuing a pet from a shelter is much better than going to a breeder. After all, adopted furry friends tend to be a bit more loyal, a bit more appreciative and just a bit smarter than their thoroughbred counterparts. Leading the charge for this humane revolution are a host of celebrities who have adopted a rescue pet and then shared their stories with their fans and the world at large. So, who’s out there saving rescue animals’ lives? Read on to find out!

1. Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds — who will next appear in Deadpool — picked up his pup, Baxter, in a Houston animal shelter. Says Reynolds, “I saw this big, dumb-looking retriever staring up at me … I whispered to him, ‘Hey, let’s get the hell out of here.’ And he jumped up, like he spoke English fluently. He came with me, he jumped in the car, and we’ve been best buddies ever since.”