This National Mental Health Awareness Month, Look to Pets to Support

Best Friends Animal Society Highlights How Dogs and Cats Can Help Reduce Stress, Anxiety, and Loneliness
National Mental Health Awareness Month
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Best Friends PR Team prteam@bestfriends.org
Assets
Photos B-Roll

In recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit organization working to save the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters and make the country no-kill*, is highlighting the powerful role pets can play in supporting people’s emotional wellbeing.  

As stress, anxiety, and loneliness continue to impact millions of Americans, pets offer companionship, routine, and comfort, all of which can positively influence mental health. From reducing stress to encouraging social connections, dogs and cats can make a positive difference in people’s daily lives.  

“The benefits of pets are endless and one way they can help us is by boosting our overall wellbeing,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “Whether it’s a walk around the block, a quiet moment on the couch or simply knowing a pet is waiting for you at home, dogs and cats can help improve our moods and bring joy to everyday life.” 

Here are a few ways pets can support mental health: 

  • A Built-In Companion for Everyday Life: Pets offer companionship and emotional support, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. This can be especially beneficial for people who live alone or work remotely.  

  • A Daily Routine, Powered by Pets: Caring for a pet creates daily structure and responsibility. Feeding, walking, and playing with pets can provide a sense of purpose and stability. If you don’t have a pet of your own, fostering or volunteering offers many of the same benefits while helping dogs and cats in need. 

  • Movement and Time Outdoors: Dogs, in particular, encourage regular exercise and outdoor time, both of which are known to support mental health and reduce stress.  

In addition to the mental health benefits, pets also improve physical health, including encouraging activity, lowering blood pressure, and supporting heart health.  

For people inspired by the benefits of pet companionship and considering adding a pet to their family, adoption is a great way to save a life and support your local shelter. According to data from Best Friends Animal Society, 7 million households will acquire a pet this year and if 6% of those people chose to adopt from a shelter rather than purchase a pet, the entire nation would reach no-kill and end the unnecessary killing of dogs and cats in shelters.  

If adoption isn’t a fit right now, consider fostering, volunteering, donating, or advocating for homeless pets in your community. 

To learn more or to adopt a dog or cat, visit bestfriends.org.  

*No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter and is a meaningful and common-sense benchmark for measuring lifesaving progress. Typically, the number of pets who are suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed is not more than 10% of all dogs and cats entering shelters. For any community to be no-kill, all stakeholders in that community must work together to achieve and sustain that common goal while prioritizing community safety and good quality of life for pets as guiding no-kill principles. This means cooperation among animal shelters, animal rescue groups, government agencies, community members and other stakeholders, all committed to best practices and protocols. 

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 6,000 shelters and rescue organizations. From our headquarters in Kanab, Utah, we also operate the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary — a destination that brings our mission to life for thousands of visitors each year. We maintain the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country and make it accessible to the public — empowering communities with critical insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. We believe every dog and cat deserves a home. And we believe that, by working together, we can Save Them All®.