A security guard standing in a building next to a sitting yellow Labrador wearing a service vest, with the caption “nooooo... I don’t wanna work” below.
via Canva

After what had been a long enough day, sometimes all that you really need is an innocent chuckle. Something to set the ego and all of its whining and stories aside, and to just laugh. As it turns out animal memes are wonderful for this. These are animal memes in particular that check off all those boxes.

1. The mind is a beautiful instrument when used properly

A black cat wearing a "Security Dog" vest sits on a concrete surface. The text above reads, "He lied on his resume, but got the job anyway.
nameless_dread_13/via reddit.com

2. The most adorable photobomb

A happy dog with its tongue out photobombs a scenic photo of a tall waterfall surrounded by green trees. Text above reads: “When your dog photobombs a great waterfall Pic, but it turns out OK.”
humble_lititi88/via reddit.com

3. So funny, and so true

Two dogs, a black one in front and a yellow one behind, are leaning close to the camera with relaxed, funny expressions, resembling people having difficulty using FaceTime.
pietradoice/via reddit.com

4. I’d personally love to hear this joke

A tabby cat lies on the floor with its front paws crossed. In the first photo, the cat's mouth is open, appearing to smile or laugh. In the second, it looks proud and pleased. Text above jokes about the cat telling a funny joke.
victory_loves_me/via reddit.com

5. You can tell he’s had a long week

pietradolce/via reddit.com

6. He’s a very gracious pup

A large golden retriever tries to lie and sit on a very small dog bed in three different photos, looking calm and content despite the bed being much too small for him.
peitradolce/via reddit.com

7. This would be the most hilarious addition to any meeting

A woman wearing glasses and a colorful striped sweater sits next to a tabby cat. Both are staring seriously at a computer camera, as if on a video call. The caption jokes about the cat glaring into the camera during Zoom calls.
aztery/via reddit.com

8. Thank God, they’re back in stock

A ginger cat is curled up and sleeping on a lower shelf of a store, surrounded by bags of rice and products like Nesquik on upper shelves. The cat looks comfortable amid the groceries.
pietradolce/via reddit.com

9. He started doing this when the officiant asked if anyone objected to the marriage

A bride and groom hold hands during their outdoor wedding ceremony, smiling at each other as an officiant reads. In the foreground, a dog lies on its back with its legs in the air, playfully photobombing the scene.
pasargad/via reddit.com

10. At least they’re protecting the puppies

A golden retriever wearing lab gear, including a white coat, black booties, and safety goggles, sits in a laboratory setting. Text above describes the dog as a classmate's service dog dressed for lab work.
aztery/via reddit.com

11. That’s one angry-looking bird

A small, fluffy bird sits on a windowsill, staring intensely through the glass. Raindrops are visible on the window, with trees and greenery outside. Text above reads: “This bird landed by my window and stared at me like I murdered his whole family.”
lifeasjessica1/via reddit.com

12. Mama’s got to care for her baby

An alligator swims in water with a Crocs shoe in its mouth. The image is humorously captioned to suggest the alligator is carrying its "baby," referring to the Crocs shoe brand.
confused–person/via reddit.com

13. Put your phone away and help the poor guy up on the bed

Two photos of a kitten struggling to climb onto a bed: in the first, only its head and paws peek over the edge; in the second, it’s mid-meow with its mouth open, still gripping the bed.
nightwalker171/via reddit.com

14. I think that photo makes him look handsome

A four-panel meme shows a photographer and a cheetah. The cheetah asks to see photos, reacts with a happy face, then a serious face, and says "delete it" after seeing its picture.
axel_louis01/via reddit.com

15. He wants to make a deal

A tortoise on a wooden floor holds a chicken nugget in its mouth near a person's foot in a pink slipper, with a couch and scattered items in the background.
nameless_hero8/via reddit.com

Want to see more wacky animal content?

Check out 20 Mystical Animals That Prove Cryptozoology Isn’t All Smoke And Mirrors, or take a look at 20 Albino Versions of Animals That Are As Unique As They Are Amazing. Finally, if you want to see final photos of animals before they went extinct, check out 20 Final Photos of Animals Before They Went Extinct

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt’s caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.