Actress Shailene Woodley, 34, is backing the Mars Global Adoption Weekend and urging people to adopt pets from shelters rather than purchase them from breeders, drawing on her experience as a rescue cat owner. In the U.S., estimates suggest roughly 3–4 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year, with adoptions accounting for a substantial share of outcomes for these pets.

Woodley said her relationship with her two rescue cats has been transformative and framed adoption as an act that benefits both animal and adopter. In comments included with campaign materials, she described the bond as central to her everyday wellbeing. In fact, Americans adopt an estimated 2–3 million shelter animals annually, showcasing the ongoing trend towards bringing these cats and dogs into loving homes.

Woodley has two rescue cats, Bear and Pharrah, whom she adopted in Spring 2024. She describes Pharrah as a “cuddly one that loves to curl up in her lap” and Bear as a “slightly mystical little being” whose energy marks Woodley’s home life. These joyful moments are echoed in many adoption stories, where the emotional and physical benefits of pet ownership greatly enhance people’s lives.

“My relationship with them has had a meaningful impact on my well-being, everyday, in so many ways. They’re my living proof that adoption really is an act that changes lives,” Woodley said, attributing emotional balance and calm to the presence of her cats. Research indicates that pet ownership is associated with reduced stress, improved overall mental well-being, and even encourages regular exercise.

She has spoken about small daily rituals that underline that bond: “That quiet moment when they nudge their heads against me or settle beside me? It reminds me to breathe, to slow down, to just be—it’s grounding in the purest way.” Those moments, she says, helped shape her decision to lend her voice to the adoption campaign, as many studies show that pet ownership can lead to greater social support and decreased feelings of loneliness.

As part of her public advocacy, Woodley met adoptable animals and publicly cuddled dogs and cats looking for homes, highlighting the emotional exchange that follows adoption. Woodley framed that exchange as mutual care: “When I’m crying, they come [to me]. They don’t hesitate. They sit on me or they curl up next to me. Their presence says, ‘I’m here, you’re safe and we’re ok.'” This kind of connection inspires many people to consider adopting, especially at events designed to give shelter pets more visibility.

Woodley connected the personal to the practical, saying that once people experience the bond with a rescued animal, they feel a responsibility to protect it. “Once you experience that bond [with animals], you feel a responsibility to protect it. Not just for yourself, but for every animal still in a shelter, or on the street,” she said. Pet adoption events are crucial in this regard, as they increase the ease of adoption and visibility of shelter pets, leading to a significant rise in adoption rates.

The campaign is sponsored by Mars, which is presented in promotional material as the organizer of the Global Adoption Weekend. Campaign messaging uses Woodley’s story—and moments such as the cats greeting her at the door and doing their little reunion dance—to illustrate how adoption reshapes daily life for both animals and owners. Events like these not only offer great opportunities for adoption but also aim to break down barriers for potential adopters.

Woodley also emphasized adoption as a form of self-care. “I want more people to know that adoption isn’t just kind, it’s healing,” she said, tying the wellbeing benefits she experiences to the broader message she hopes to amplify. Her message echoes the sentiments of many who find solace and companionship through their relationships with pets, highlighting the profound impact adoption can have on an individual’s life.

Visually, campaign descriptions note small scenes of the cats’ personalities: Pharrah rolling on her back at home while Bear prances about, familiar domestic moments that campaign materials use to normalize rescue animals as family members rather than novelty pets. As organizations continue to strategize outreach and promotions, including waived-fee weekends, the partnership with advocates like Woodley becomes vital in promoting the narrative of shelter adoption.

Mars’ role in the weekend and the use of high-profile advocates like Woodley are central to the campaign materials; organizers have framed the weekend as a concentrated effort to connect people with adoptable pets and to encourage shelters to welcome visitors and applications. For the campaign announcement and details from the sponsoring organization, see the PR Newswire release.