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Ever notice how your cat seems to know just when you need a cuddle or a purr-filled moment of peace? It's not just in your head—that special bond you share with your feline friend is a powerful force for mental wellbeing. A recent global survey commissioned by Mars and the mental health app Calm found that a huge 83% of pet owners say their pet has improved their mental wellbeing and 73% say their pet encourages them to stop overthinking or worrying.1
A Star Who Knows the Feeling
Even Hollywood stars know the feeling! Award-winning actor Shailene Woodley, known for her roles in "Big Little Lies" and other hits, is a self-proclaimed rescue cat mum.
"My rescue cats transformed my world," she says. "They bring me peace when I'm overwhelmed with a busy filming schedule, and every day, they remind me to breathe, slow down and live in the moment."Shailene wants more people to see that adopting a cat isn't just an act of compassion for an animal; it can also be an act of care for yourself. As she says about her two cats, Bear and Pharrah: "In rescuing them, they have changed my life as much as I have changed theirs."
Finding Your Furry Friend
Globally, there are an estimated 12 million dogs and 4 million cats living in shelters waiting to find a home.2
During the Global Adoption Weekend Mars will be supporting prospective pet owners through partnerships with shelters, helping change two lives by bringing more pets and people together across more than 20 countries, incl. Australia, U.S., U.K., Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, India, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, The Philippines, Poland, Romania, Thailand, and Ukraine.
For those who open their homes to a shelter pet, the rewards are huge. Spending time with a cat can increase levels of "happy hormones" like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin.3 Plus, the benefits go both ways as studies have found that in three months of adoption, dogs show signs of increased confidence and cats show signs of bonding and calmness.4
If you've been thinking about adding a new feline family member, this is the perfect time to visit your local shelter. Every adoption is proof that compassion changes lives—giving a pet a loving home and enriching the wellbeing of the person who welcomes them.
Support and Content for New Pet Parents
To help new pet parents settle in, Mars and Calm are teaming up to offer new adopters 3 months of free Calm membership during the month of October.
Shailene Woodley has also recorded a special Sleep Story for Calm, called Finding Four-Legged Friends, inspired by her own rescue cats and other amazing pet stories. It's part of the first-ever pet-inspired content collection on the app, designed to help pet owners find calm and rest.
Ready to find your new best friend and experience the joy of adoption? Visit your local animal shelter during the Global Adoption Weekend!
Ready to find your new best friend and experience the joy of adoption? Visit your local animal shelter during the Global Adoption Weekend!
For more information, visit https://www.kinship.com/petsandwellbeing
References
1. The research was conducted by YouGov Plc on behalf of Mars. Total sample size was 31299 adults across 20 markets (UK: 2507, Brazil: 2502; Canada: 1347; Germany: 1584; Indonesia: 2510; India: 1001; Mexico: 1567; Malaysia: 1036; Poland: 1349; US: 3748; China: 1054: Belgium: 1084; Australia: 1525; New Zealand: 1066; Spain: 1322; Netherlands: 1074; France: 1526; Denmark: 1093; Sweden: 1070; Italy: 1334). Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th February - 31st March 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted at an individual country level to be representative of all dog and cat owners (aged 18+) in the respective markets.
2. Mars State of Pet Homelessness Report, 2024
3. Waltham Petcare Science Institute, 2022: "Four Ways Pets Help Mental Health, According to Science"
4. PLOS ONE Study, 2023: "Longitudinal Tracking of Shelter Dogs"
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