Shelter Stories Gifts

The bond we share with our pets is at the very heart of MUTTS. This collection features cherished artwork, Patrick's Shelter Stories book, and adoption-inspired gifts — letting you share the spirit of hope and compassion wherever you go. 

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MUTTS Shelter Stories: A Tradition of Advocacy

Back in 1998, Patrick McDonnell created a special week of MUTTS comic strips for National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, featuring stories told through the eyes of shelter animals. Since then, this week-long "Shelter Stories" series has run in newspapers twice a year, shining a light on adoption and fostering, animal shelters, rescue groups, and the simple truth that every animal deserves love and safety.

Over the years, Patrick and Team MUTTS have extended this mission beyond the page through donations, fundraisers, and collaborative awareness campaigns to support animal welfare organizations and the people who make second chances possible.

Our Shelter Stories Collection brings that spirit together — featuring the MUTTS Shelter Stories book, classic comic strip prints, and meaningful gifts inspired by adoption, compassion, and the lifelong bond we share with our pets.

Shelter Stories Comic Strips

These heartwarming strips highlight the importance of “Adopt, Don’t Shop,” celebrate real adoption and fostering stories, and encourage compassion for animals of all kinds.

August 4 2025, Daily Comic Strip: In this special Clear the Shelters strip, a scruffy dog named Tiki says,
August 4 2025, Daily Comic Strip: In this special Clear the Shelters strip, a scruffy dog named Tiki says,

August 4 2025, Daily Comic Strip

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November 1 1998, Sunday Comic Strip
November 1 1998, Sunday Comic Strip

November 1 1998, Sunday Comic Strip

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November 2 2014, Sunday Comic Strip
November 2 2014, Sunday Comic Strip

November 2 2014, Sunday Comic Strip

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May 5 2012, Daily Comic Strip
May 5 2012, Daily Comic Strip

May 5 2012, Daily Comic Strip

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November 12 2022, Daily Comic Strip
November 12 2022, Daily Comic Strip

November 12 2022, Daily Comic Strip

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Strip-110819
Strip-110819

November 8 2019, Daily Comic Strip

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November 7 2009, Daily Comic Strip
November 7 2009, Daily Comic Strip

November 7 2009, Daily Comic Strip

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November 4 2012, Sunday Comic Strip
November 4 2012, Sunday Comic Strip

November 4 2012, Sunday Comic Strip

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April 29 1999, Daily Comic Strip
April 29 1999, Daily Comic Strip

April 29 1999, Daily Comic Strip

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November 8 2002, Daily Comic Strip
November 8 2002, Daily Comic Strip

November 8 2002, Daily Comic Strip

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May 2 2003, Daily Comic Strip
May 2 2003, Daily Comic Strip

May 2 2003, Daily Comic Strip

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May 1 2004, Daily Comic Strip
May 1 2004, Daily Comic Strip

May 1 2004, Daily Comic Strip

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April 25 2005, Daily Comic Strip
April 25 2005, Daily Comic Strip

April 25 2005, Daily Comic Strip

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May 6 2007, Sunday Comic Strip
May 6 2007, Sunday Comic Strip

May 6 2007, Sunday Comic Strip

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May 4 2008, Sunday Comic Strip
May 4 2008, Sunday Comic Strip

May 4 2008, Sunday Comic Strip

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May 4 2024, Daily Comic Strip
May 4 2024, Daily Comic Strip

May 4 2024, Daily Comic Strip

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see more SHELTER STORIES STRIPS
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MUTTS Shelter Stories:
Love. Guaranteed.

In this emotive collection, Patrick has paired more than 70 full-color, reader-submitted photographs of adopted animals with over 100 of his popular "Shelter Stories" comic strips.

The book also includes a reference section with an Adoption Guide, and a bookplate that has been hand-signed by Patrick (exclusive to MUTTS)!

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Adoption & Animal Shelter Gifts

'Adopt Love' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS
'Cat Lady' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS
'Cat Lady' V - Neck Tee - MUTTS

'Adopt Love' V-Neck Tee

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Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book
Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book

Signed 'MUTTS Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed.' Book

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'Adopt Love' Garden Flag - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Garden Flag - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Garden Flag - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Garden Flag - MUTTS

'Adopt Love' Garden Flag

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'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Mug - MUTTS

'Adopt Love' Mug

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'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS
'Foster Love' Mug - MUTTS

'Foster Love' Mug

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'Canine Companions' Dog Lover Decorative Blanket - MUTTS
'Canine Companions' Dog Lover Decorative Blanket - MUTTS

'Canine Companions' Dog Lover Decorative Blanket

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'Feline Friends' Cat Lover Decorative Blanket - MUTTS
'Feline Friends' Cat Lover Decorative Blanket - MUTTS

'Feline Friends' Cat Lover Decorative Blanket

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'Adopt Love' Die - Cut Sticker - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Die - Cut Sticker - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Die - Cut Sticker - MUTTS
'Adopt Love' Die - Cut Sticker - MUTTS

'Adopt Love' Die-Cut Sticker

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'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee
'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee
'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee
'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee
'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee
'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee
'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee
'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee

'Rescue. Adopt. Foster.' Tee

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'Keep Calm & Adopt' Metal Bookmark - MUTTS
'Keep Calm & Adopt' Metal Bookmark - MUTTS

'Keep Calm & Adopt' Metal Bookmark

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'MUTTS Lover' Green Sticker
'MUTTS Lover' Green Sticker
'MUTTS Lover' Green Sticker
'MUTTS Lover' Green Sticker

'MUTTS Lover' Green Sticker

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'Love MUTTS' Red Sticker
'Love MUTTS' Red Sticker
'Love MUTTS' Red Sticker
'Love MUTTS' Red Sticker

'Love MUTTS' Red Sticker

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Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Cat Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Cat Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Cat Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Cat Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Cat Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Cat Adopters)

Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Cat Adopters)

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Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for All Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for All Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for All Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for All Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for All Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for All Adopters)

Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for All Adopters)

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Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Dog Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Dog Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Dog Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Dog Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Dog Adopters)
Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Dog Adopters)

Gotcha Day Greeting Card (for Dog Adopters)

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Signed 'Darling, I Love You' Book
Signed 'Darling, I Love You' Book
Signed 'Darling, I Love You' Book
Signed 'Darling, I Love You' Book
Signed 'Darling, I Love You' Book
Signed 'Darling, I Love You' Book

Signed 'Darling, I Love You' Book

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Signed 'Guardians of Being' Book
Signed 'Guardians of Being' Book

Signed 'Guardians of Being' Book

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May 4 2024, Daily Comic Strip
May 4 2024, Daily Comic Strip

May 4 2024, Daily Comic Strip

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November 5 2023, Sunday Comic Strip
November 5 2023, Sunday Comic Strip

November 5 2023, Sunday Comic Strip

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Strip-110820
Strip-110820

November 8 2020, Sunday Comic Strip

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MORE ADOPTION & PET LOVER GIFTS

Making a Difference for Shelter Pets and Other Animals

Helping shelter animals has always been close to our hearts. From donation programs to adoption campaigns, MUTTS continues to support the people and organizations giving pets a second chance.

How does MUTTS support animal shelters? 

Since the early days of MUTTS, Patrick has used the power of art and gentle storytelling to raise awareness about pet adoption. Beyond the twice-yearly Shelter Stories comic strips, we donate hundreds of prints each year to shelters and rescue groups for use in raffles, fundraisers, and adoption events. These efforts have collectively helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for animals in need!

Does MUTTS collaborate with shelters or rescue organizations?

Yes! We often partner with animal shelters and advocacy groups to amplify their work. Past collaborations include awareness or giving campaigns with Animal Care Centers of NYC, St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, Sidewalk Angels, and Muddy Paws Rescue (among others). We also create helpful content for our website and social media to highlight adoptable pets or raise awareness about important pet welfare issues.

Does MUTTS donate to animal welfare organizations?

Yes! In addition to donating prints to assist with shelter fundraising, we're also a proud member of 1% for the Planet. This means at least 1% of all sales at the MUTTS Shop are donated to nonprofits that protect animals and the environment. 

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