25 Vintage Photos That Prove Pets Have Always Been Family

Written by Alina Wang on May 22, 2025

There’s something timeless about the bond between people and their pets — a connection that transcends eras, species, and even logic. From presidents posing with their furry pals to Mike Tyson walking his pet tiger, these vintage pet photos capture the same story of love, pride, and perhaps the occasional hint of mischief. Take a look at 25 vintage portraits of animals that weren’t just pet companions — they were family.

1. Who’s Gonna Tell Her That’s Actually a Fox?

A young child with curly hair sits on a table next to a fox, holding it gently. There’s a newspaper and cups on the table, and patterned curtains hang in the background. — AlleyBarber

2. An Adorable Pair of Siblings With Their Pet Dog

Two young children stand on a rural dirt road, smiling at the camera. One child holds a dog in their arms. Trees and a few houses are visible in the background. The photo is in black and white. — CincoDeMayoFan

3. American Painter Bob Ross and His Pet Squirrels, 1991

A man with thick curly hair and a beard looks seriously at the camera, wearing a white shirt. Two small squirrels sit on his shoulder against a dark background. — taykaybo

4. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Reads a Book, While His Dog Skip Rests in His Lap at His Ranch House in Colorado, 1905

A man wearing glasses and a hat sits on a folding chair, reading a book. A dog rests on his lap, looking toward the camera. The scene appears old-fashioned, with sepia tones and worn clothing. — AlleyBarber

5. Young Girl Poses With Her Pet Rooster

A vintage black-and-white photo of a young girl in a plaid dress standing next to a large chicken perched on a stool. The girl is smiling and has bows in her hair, set against a patterned studio backdrop. — AlleyBarber

6. Former President Barack Obama Plays Catch With Family Dog Bo at the White House, 2009

A man in dress clothes runs with a football on a grassy lawn, smiling as a black and white dog chases after him. Trees and greenery are visible in the background on a sunny day. — LaunchingYogurt

7. Something Tells Us She Did Not Play Around When It Came to Her Pets

A young girl with curly hair and freckles sits on a wooden chair, holding a cat in her lap. Both look directly at the camera in this black and white photograph. — CincoDeMayoFan

8. Just Doing Some Light Reading With the Pet Cat

A young girl lies on grass, smiling and reading a book titled “PURR and MEW” next to a black cat, which appears to be looking at the book with her. — CincoDeMayoFan

9. Former President Bill Clinton Poses With Dog Buddy on the White House Lawn, 1999

A man in a patterned sweater sits on the grass next to a brown dog, both smiling, with blooming trees and a large white building in the background. — LaunchingYogurt

10. Because Even Fido Needs a Trim Every Now and Then

A vintage black-and-white photo of a young girl in a dress hugging a small dog sitting on a chair. The dog is wearing a cloth around its shoulders, and both appear to be posing for the camera. — CincoDeMayoFan

11. They Say Pets Start to Look Like Their Owners…

A young child in a vintage dress stands beside a chair with one hand resting on a small dog sitting on the seat. The photo is black and white, with an old-fashioned studio backdrop. — CincoDeMayoFan

12. Former President George W. Bush Holds Pet Dog Barney in His Arms While Saluting, 2001

A man in a suit salutes while hugging a black Scottish Terrier dog, with a uniformed officer standing behind them outdoors. — myvotedoesntmatter

13. Teaching Fido All the Dance Moves

A young girl in a dress and headband smiles while holding hands and standing with a dog on its hind legs in front of leafy bushes. The photo is in black and white. — CincoDeMayoFan

14. ‘You Call the Taxi, Alpaca the Bags’

A llama sticks its head out of a car window in a busy city street lined with vintage cars and theater signs, creating a humorous and unexpected scene. — CincoDeMayoFan

15. Farmer Feeds Kittens Straight From the Source

A man in a hat milks a cow in a barn, squirting milk directly into the mouths of two eager cats standing on their hind legs. — CincoDeMayoFan

16. Mike Tyson Walking His Pet Tiger, 1990s

A man in a white shirt and shorts walks a white tiger on a leash along a paved path lined with palm trees and greenery on a sunny day. — Antwerpben

17. Young Girl Skates With Her Giant Cat

A smiling child wearing winter clothes and ice skates stands on snow, joyfully holding a large cat in their arms. Trees and more snow are visible in the background. — CincoDeMayoFan

18. A Group of School Children Examine a Porcupine

A group of children gathers around a desk at an "Animal Lending Library," interacting with various animals including a porcupine and a goat, as two adults assist them inside a wood-paneled room. — CincoDeMayoFan

19. Just a Boy, His Dog, and Some Tunes, 1950s

A young child joyfully plays a banjo while sitting next to a dog. Both appear happy, with the child singing and the dog looking as if it is smiling. They are outdoors near a wooden fence. — CincoDeMayoFan

20. A Gentleman Poses With His Beloved Pup, 1880

A sepia-toned vintage photo of a man in a suit with a large mustache, seated beside a small, scruffy dog on a table. They are indoors near a window with curtains. — bellerose93

21. Spanish Artist Salvador Dalí Leaving the Subway in Paris Alongside His Pet Ant Eater, 1969

A man in a suit and cane walks an anteater on a leash in a city, while a group of people stop and stare in surprise near a subway entrance. — boaby420

22. Happy Girl Poses With Cat

A young girl stands smiling and holding a cat on a wet cobblestone street, with a bicycle leaning against a wall and an adult looking on from a nearby doorway in the background. — CincoDeMayoFan

23. A Hunter Looking Stoic Next to His Dog

A bearded man in a suit and hat stands holding a rifle, with a dog sitting at his feet. The background features a painted mountain and forest scene, suggesting a hunting or outdoor theme. — CincoDeMayoFan

24. A Gentleman Posing With His Dog — Or Should We Say Lion? — in the 1800s

A vintage sepia photo of a man in formal attire standing next to a poodle sitting on a chair. The man is pointing toward the camera, and both look directly ahead. — bellerose93

25. Young Boy Poses With His Furry Pal After an Evidently Long Day

A young boy stands with his eyes closed and mouth open, appearing to sing or yell, next to a small dog on a chair that is howling. Both seem to be making similar expressions. The photo is in black and white. — CincoDeMayoFan

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