Play ball: Photos of animals having fun with balls

Pictures of animals having fun playing with various kinds of balls: basketballs, tennis balls, footballs and more.

By Jennifer Hayes

September 12, 2016

Need a cure for the Monday blues? Our photo feature is here to help provide a brief diversion from your workday routine with a small dose of squee, wow and awwww. Enjoy!

Looks like the animals at Best Friends are keeping their eyes on the ball — tennis balls, soccer balls, footballs, bowling balls, treibballs and basketballs. And as you can see from the images, they’re enjoying every moment.

Join in the fun with the animals by volunteering at Best Friends

Bonnie Bella the pit bull with an orange ball in her mouth
Orange is the new black.

Sylvester the Boston terrier with a soccer ball
How many times do I have to tell you? It’s football, not soccer.

Cherry the potbellied pig with a bowling ball
You wouldn’t believe my bowling handicap.

Urlacher the dog with a ball in his mouth
I have a lot of balls, but this one is my favorite.

Cupid the goat lounging on a giant soccer ball
The ball is mine — all mine!

Drusilla the dog balancing on a ball
And for my next trick …

Daisy the horse trying to chew a large ball
I’ve come to a conclusion. Balls aren’t very tasty.

HoneyBun the dog with a ripped up ball toy
I have no idea how it happened. One minute my ball was fine and then — poof!

Andrew the cat with a ball in his mouth
Fetch? I don’t think so.

Dooley the dog with a ball in his mouth
Betcha wish you had a ball like mine.

Katie with Isabella doing Parelli horse training
You want me to do what?

Cidro the dog with a ball in his mouth
Ooh, it tastes so good!

Zoey the dog trying to catch a ball with her mouth
I got it. I got it!

Jake the pig in a swimming pool filled with tennis balls
I know there’s an almond in here somewhere.

Celine the dog with a soccer ball in her mouth
Goooooooooooooooal!

Mama Mia the dog holding a ball
They say these balls are indestructible. We’ll see about that.

Curly Sue the horse playing with a giant ball
Watch out David Beckham, here I come.
Curly Sue is available for adoption.

River the dog leaping the catch a ball
I just don’t understand. Why do people catch balls in their hands when they’ve got perfectly good mouths?

Dagwood the pig playing with a big red ball
I’m not sure what sport this ball is for, but I’m the champ.

Dexter the Australian heeler with a basketball
What do you mean my team didn’t make the bracket?

Sterling the dog with a blue ball in the snow
I dare you to try and take it.

Prince the foal with a giant ball
Having fun can be tough when the ball’s as big as me.

Hickory the dog with a tennis ball in his mouth
You hit these balls with rackets? Why?

Yuma the dog with a ball in her mouth
I’m belle of the ball — hee-hee.

A parrot playing with a ball
You think this ball is looking a little rough? No, I just say well-loved.

Pearl the dog holding a deflated football
Are you ready for some football?

Savvy the dog waiting for a ball to be thrown
Come on, come on, come on. Throw it. Please throw the ball.

Jack the pig playing with a ball
I thought this was supposed to be a treat ball.

Sidney the dog playing with a giant ball
I brought it. Now you throw it.

Hickory the dog holding a tennis ball while another dog tries to get it
Come on, can’t you share, just a little?

Semi the kitten with a jingle ball on his foot
Help, a ball is stuck to my foot.

Stasch the dog trying to get a ball from under a fence
Nooooooo!

Bruce the dog in a ball pit
Best. Day. Ever!

Photos by Best Friends staff