Our rescue animals have such different and interesting personalities, and it’s easy to see why having a pet can enrich the life of an owner in so many ways.

The health benefits of owning a companion animal are scientifically proven. Academic studies demonstrate that dog owners over the age of 65 have, on average, the activity levels of those 10 years younger and display lower levels of anxiety or depression.

A recent study in the United States analysed 1,371 adults between the ages of 18 and 65. The study was undertaken by Johns Hopkins Medicine, a leading medical research organisation, and concluded that children who grow up with a pet dog are much less likely to develop schizophrenia as adults.

Living with man’s best friend before the age of 13 was linked to a 24% reduction in the risk of developing the condition. People who had grown up with a dog as a baby were even less likely to develop schizophrenia, with the risk dropping by an amazing 55%.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition that has a range of different symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and muddled thoughts. More than a quarter of a million people suffer from the illness in England, Wales and the Isle of Man.

The Johns Hopkins researchers also concluded that there was no causal effect of growing up with a dog relating to the risk of bipolar disorder. So why is the effect so significant in relation to schizophrenia?

The researchers have said that there needs to be further studies to explore several possible explanations. These include investigating whether there is something in the canine microbiome that can be passed to humans, and which then bolsters the immune system against a predisposition towards schizophrenia.

Interestingly the study showed that early exposure to pet cats did not have an impact on the likelihood of developing either schizophrenia or bipolar disease.

However, in other studies cats have been proven to enhance the lives of their owners, particularly those who might have limited interaction with other people.

Cats provide companionship, a daily routine, stimulation and hours of entertainment - even the most dignified cat will have his moment of madness every day, rushing around like a lunatic.

Spooky (pictured) will make a great companion for her lucky new owner.

She came to us at the end of October, hence her Halloween-inspired name.

She was found, seemingly lifeless, by the side of a road by a member of the public. She was given less than a 50% chance of survival by the vet because she had a very diseased eye which had affected her ability to hunt, and this is why she was so incredibly thin. Her eye was removed and, against the odds, she coped well with the surgery and post-operative care she needed.

Over the last few weeks the cattery team and volunteers have spent as much time as possible with Spooky because she was very timid and nervous initially, as you might expect. But over the weeks, as she recuperated, she turned into a ’head-butter’ and a ’stroke my tummy’ sort of cat.

We don’t often say this, because cats are usually quite happy in their own company, but we think Spooky would really benefit from living with another friendly cat - she is very gregarious and loves to play.

But she wouldn’t thrive in a noisy household with young children - her play time needs to be on her terms. She also can’t live anywhere near a main road because of her sight issues.

l The MSPCA is now closed to the public for animal viewing until further notice, but is still open for the animals and any welfare cases. Call 851672 for more information.

The charity’s tearooms will remain open with a take away service every day between 10am and 3pm.