Culture and Engagement Why every intranet needs a pet gallery [adorable photos included] A pet gallery on your intranet is a fun and engaging way to connect with colleagues and create a sense of community within the workplace. Jess Cooper 4 minute read • Updated July 20, 2026 Table of contents You might also like… Intranet use cases Learn about effective intranet use cases ThoughtFarmer examples See our LookBook intranet examples Navigate intranet vendors See how G2 ranks industry competitors Picture this: You’re having a stressful day at work, deadlines are looming, emails are piling up, and your brain feels like it’s about to explode. Suddenly, a cute puppy or a fluffy kitten pops up on your computer screen, wagging its tail or purring contentedly. You can’t help but smile and feel a wave of relaxation wash over you. That’s the power of pets. It turns out there’s real science behind that smile. Researchers at the University of Leeds found that watching photos and videos of cute animals for just 30 minutes reduced participants’ anxiety by an average of 35 percent — and for some people, by almost 50 percent — while also lowering heart rates and blood pressure. A Hiroshima University study published in PLOS ONE found that people who viewed images of puppies and kittens performed tasks requiring focus and attention to detail more carefully afterward. In other words, those pet photos aren’t a distraction. They might be the most productive thing on your intranet. The last few years have been full of unpredictability, which is why it’s important for organizations to create a positive work environment and make their employees feel valued. A pet gallery is a collection of photos and stories about employees’ pets. It can be a fun and engaging way to connect with colleagues and create a sense of community within the workplace. Here’s why it’s a good idea for organizations to have a pet gallery on their intranet. Boost employee morale Pets are known to bring joy and happiness to our lives, and the workplace is no exception. A pet gallery on the intranet can bring a smile to employees’ faces and create a positive atmosphere. It’s a great way to boost employee morale, especially during stressful times. Want more Intranet ideas and tips for success? Get our award winning intranets guide Get the guide Promote work-life balance Having a pet gallery on the intranet can also promote work-life balance. Employees can share photos and stories about their pets, which can help them feel more connected to their colleagues. It’s a great way to show that the organization cares about employees’ personal lives and interests. Encourage employee engagement A pet gallery can encourage employee engagement and create a sense of community within the workplace. Employees can comment on each other’s photos and stories, which can lead to conversations and friendships. It’s a great way to break down barriers and encourage employees to interact with each other. Show the human side of the organization Having a pet gallery on the intranet can also show the human side of the organization. It can help employees see that their colleagues are not just co-workers but also individuals with families and pets. This can create a sense of empathy and understanding within the workplace. Improve workplace culture A pet gallery on the intranet can improve workplace culture. It’s a fun and engaging way to connect with colleagues and create a sense of community. It can also create a positive and welcoming atmosphere, which can improve employee retention and recruitment. As you can see, having a pet gallery on the intranet is a great way to promote a positive workplace environment. It can boost employee morale, promote work-life balance, encourage employee engagement, show the human side of the organization, and improve workplace culture. It’s a simple and effective way to show employees that they are valued and appreciated. So, if you’re looking for a way to create a fun and engaging workplace environment, consider adding a pet gallery to your organization’s intranet. Photo Shuffle ThoughtFarmer offers a Photo Shuffle feature card that seamlessly combines photos from up to five ThoughtFarmer galleries, and presents each image, one at a time, in a random order. This is great for livening up your intranet with visual memories, ranging from adorable snapshots of your beloved pets to vacation adventures and company events. The possibilities are endless!