Loneliness Is a Public Health Crisis. Pets Can Help

Americans are lonelier than ever, and according to the United States Surgeon General, it’s not just a personal problem, it’s a public health crisis. On May 2, Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory titled: “ Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” In it, Dr. Murthy argues that loneliness — defined in the report as “the subjective distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or inadequate meaningful connections,” — is as dangerous for one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness,” Dr. Murthy writes. “And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation.”

If you want to feel less isolated, Dr. Murthy suggests picking up a phone call from a friend or making time to share a meal. We would like to suggest a cuter, cuddlier solution: Hang out with animals.

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According to a 2019 paper from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), spending time with the four-legged set is very good for you. “Science tells us that when people have a pet, they tend to get more exercise, report less loneliness and stress, and have stronger social ties,” the report reads. HABRI also found that 80 percent of pet parents they surveyed said their pets made them feel less lonely, and 54 percent said their pets helped them connect with other people. 

Whether you are a pet parent or not, interacting with animals can help one feel less isolated and more connected, both with pets and with other humans. Below, some ways to get in some valuable pet time and help strengthen your mental, physical, and emotional health.

Adopt a Pet

The most obvious, perhaps. But if you’ve been on the fence about adopting an animal, and you feel confident you’d be able to care for them responsibly, consider this: According to HABRI, studies have found that pet parents are “more likely to meet physical activity guidelines, have a reduced risk of heart disease, and are more likely to be socially connected than non-pet owners.” Plus, you can feel good about helping out an animal in need, be it a tiny, orphaned spring kitten, a foster animal, or a dog rescued from the meat trade.

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Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

If you don’t feel ready to bring an animal into your home full-time, you can still enjoy good animal vibes by helping out at local animal shelters. Many shelters need volunteers to help with everything from walking dogs, animal socializing, cleaning, or basic admin. Besides getting quality time with cute animals, it can also be a great way to meet people who are also passionate about animals. You can sign up for a regular time slot, or just go whenever you can. Just remember to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. 

Foster a dog or cat

One of the best ways to help overburdened animal shelters is to sign up to be a foster parent to animals. (And the need for foster volunteers is incredibly high right now.) Letting a rescue animal live with you until they find their forever home helps lower the animal’s stress and can help you get a sense of whether you are ready to bring an animal into your home. And if you’re not, you can enjoy the emotional and physical benefits for however long your foster animal stays with you, and you can probably make some great human connections by getting to know others who are fostering.

Visit a Cat Café 

One way to micro-dose cuteness and get an energy boost at the same time is by taking a trip to a cat cafe. While the concept of the cat café has been most enthusiastically embraced in Japan, where there are more cat cafes than anywhere else in the world, there are over 125 cat cafés in the U.S. now, per CNN. So, hopefully you can find one near you and spend a blissful hour sipping on coffee and petting the cats who will allow you to pet them.

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Go to a Dog Park

Maybe you have a pet already but are looking to get out more and connect with other humans. Visiting a dog park is a great way for both you and your pup to do some valuable socializing. Your dog can run around and sniff butts, and you can meet new people with easy conversation starters like, “What’s your dog’s name?” and “Is that your dog trying to hump the other one?” Just make sure to keep a close eye on your dog, keep them hydrated, and don’t go if it’s too hot or too cold, and look for safe dog parks that require vaccines, like DOG PPL.

Puppy Classes

Maybe you’re way ahead of us and have already adopted a puppy to help with loneliness. But then, you get hit with the puppy blues: anxiety, sadness, and regret that your life has suddenly been consumed by this tiny, impossibly cute creature. Firstly, know you’re not alone. Secondly, a great way to connect with people who might also be experiencing the puppy blues is to attend a puppy class. Puppy classes are effectively puppy social hours, facilitated by an expert, where puppies around 12-weeks-old learn how to play nice together. In addition to being great places to meet other people who are dealing with the complications of a new puppy, as well as potential contacts for future playdates, these classes are almost criminally adorable to watch.

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Training Classes

Whether you want to train your dog to be a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD), teach them agility, or take them to a basic obedience class to strengthen their manners, taking your dog to a training class can be a great way to not only strengthen your connection with them, but also to meet other people who share similar interests.

So, basically, whatever you choose from the above list comes down to this: Spend time with animals. Even better if you’re helping out the overflowing shelters that are desperate for your help — and would love for you to cure your loneliness by stopping by.