Yes, I did write about photographing rescue cats last week, and I am going to do it again today! The importance of rescuing and adopting any animal in need cannot be underestimated or understated.

Kittens Waiting for a Home

Each kitten starts its life as a blank slate—curious, vulnerable, and full of possibility. But not every kitten is born into warmth and safety. Some begin their journey in much tougher conditions, which is where animal rescues like SCARS (Second Chance Animal Rescue Society) step in.

This week at Toes and Beans Photography, we met four of these tiny characters. Fluffy little explorers with twitchy tails and jellybean toes. Each of them had been through more than their fair share already—and yet, when the camera clicked, they didn’t just pose… they told us their stories.

So Many Pets, So Few Resources

For many of us, it’s easy to assume pets in shelters will find homes eventually. But the reality is far more complicated.

There are too many animals and not enough foster homes.

Too many sad beginnings and not enough fairy tale endings.

This is where photography becomes more than just an art. It becomes advocacy.

When a photo can show a kitten’s sparkle—the mischief in their leap, the quiet confidence in their gaze—it does more than make people say “aww.” It makes people stop. It makes them want to know more.

But getting that perfect photo? It takes patience, trust, and a whole lot of treats.

Toes and Beans Photography Steps In

At Toes and Beans Photography, we know animals don’t need to be posed or perfect. They just need someone to see them.

So when SCARS reached out about photographing this litter of four, we knew exactly what to do.

We cleared our schedule. We let the kittens be kittens—bounding over props, wrestling with feather toys, and flopping into milk-coma naps.

Our approach is always gentle, playful, and stress-free. We meet the animals where they are, never pushing, never rushing. That’s how the magic happens: in the quiet in-between moments when they forget the camera is even there.

A Few Photos Can Change a Life

We went to the kittens amazing foster family and found four of the cutest little fluff balls we could imagine—freshly vetted, brushed, and bursting with personality. Our goal was simple:

📸 Photograph each kitten’s unique charm

📸 Show their personalities in action

📸 Provide SCARS with adoption-ready portraits they could use in social posts, foster updates, and website listings

We always work with rescue groups like SCARS in a way that supports their mission. That means free or deeply discounted sessions, high-resolution images for outreach, and always keeping the well-being of the animals front and centre.

This time, our plan included one extra special thing:

We wanted to capture them together and apart. Because these siblings might not stay together—but their bond deserves to be remembered.

Foster, Adopt, Support

Photographing these kittens reminded us why rescue work matters so much. They didn’t know they were rescued. They just knew they were safe.

And now, they’re ready for homes.

This is where you come in:

🐾 Foster – SCARS is always in need of safe, temporary homes while animals await adoption. If you can open your home for even a few weeks, it changes everything.

🐾 Adopt – If you're ready for a lifelong companion, consider one of the many animals SCARS has available. You might just find your perfect match… wrapped in fur and purring on your pillow.

🐾 Donate – Rescue work is powered by donations, large and small. Your contribution helps cover vet care, food, transportation, and more.

🐾 Share – Can’t foster or adopt right now? Share a photo. Talk about the animals you see. Visibility leads to homes.

When Good Pets Go Unnoticed

We’ve seen it too many times: animals who get passed over because their photos don’t stand out.

A blurry snapshot can’t show the intelligence in their eyes.

A dark photo can’t reveal the beauty in their markings.

But when people see animals through a professional lens—when they see who these creatures really are—it sparks connection. And connection leads to forever homes.

That’s why this work matters so much to us.

Why We Do What We Do

At Toes and Beans Photography, we believe pets are family—from the day you meet them to the day you say goodbye.

We photograph the goofy, the wild, the shy, and the soulful. We do it for families, and we do it for rescue animals still waiting for one.

Every session is a celebration.

Every image is a love letter.

Every kitten is a story waiting to be told.

If you’re a rescue group looking for help with your adoptables, reach out. We provide free photography for you.

If you’re a pet parent who wants to capture your companion in all their quirky glory, let’s chat. Every time you allow Toes and Beans Photography into your family the fees you pay subsidize our volunteer work.

And if you just needed a reminder today that love comes in small, furry packages—here it is.

Want to help more pets like these?

Visit ww.scarscare.ca to see who’s waiting for a home. Or follow @toesandbeansphotography on Instagram to see more behind-the-scenes moments from our rescue sessions.

Because every pawprint deserves to be remembered. 🐾

Tiny Paws, Big Stories: How Rescue Kittens Remind Us What Matters Most

You asked, We answered: Frequently Asked Questions about Pet Photography

From Rescue to Royalty