Adorable photos show Houston-area shelter pets meeting their adoptive owners

PHOTOS: Houston shelter pets find their new families

These photos of Houston-area animals finding their forever families are sure to brighten your day.

>>>See more for adorable photos of Houston shelter pets and their new owners... less PHOTOS: Houston shelter pets find their new families

These photos of Houston-area animals finding their forever families are sure to brighten your day.

>>>See more for adorable photos of Houston ... more Photo: Houston Humane Society Photo: Houston Humane Society Image 1 of / 90 Caption Close Adorable photos show Houston-area shelter pets meeting their adoptive owners 1 / 90 Back to Gallery

More than 6.5 million animals enter shelters across the nation every year, according to estimates from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

In Houston, the stray animal problem can be seen at any of the many shelters that are repeatedly operating at over-capacity levels due to an overwhelming number of intakes. Animal intakes become even more rampant during the hot summer months when mating season is in full swing and scores of kittens and puppies enter shelters.

PETS OF THE WEEK: Meet Popeye, the dog left homeless after the Gessner explosion, and other adoptable Houston shelter pets

Some animals spend upwards of 100 days in a shelter before finding their new adoptive owners. Others are not so lucky and end up losing their life due to space or time constraints, or medical issues.

In an effort to promote animal shelter adoptions, Chron.com rounded up photos of Houston-area shelter pets meeting their new adoptive owners. If you're contemplating whether or not to adopt your next furry friend, these adorable photos of Houston shelter pets meeting their forever families may help.

Click through the photos above for a look at adorable Houston shelter pets finding their forever homes...

For those considering to adopt, Houston Humane Society Marketing Manager Angelina Saucedo encourages potential adopters to be patient with their new friend.

"We get stray animals that come in that have been on the streets for who knows how long," Saucedo previously told Chron.com "You are getting an animal that...may need some time to adjust and get used to a new environment."

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Saving shelter pets is up to all of us [Editorial]

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com