Stories shared on social media platform overcome barriers, foster understanding

Chris Thomas was close to despair when a pregnant stray cat sneaked into his backyard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and rekindled his faith in people and his sense of self-worth.

His special relationship with Frances, the cat, was shared on Chinese social media platform RedNote and other platforms, and struck a chord with animal lovers around the world, including tens of thousands in China.

Now a dad to eight cats and a three-legged dog, Thomas, who has gained over 172,000 likes and saves on RedNote, said he was reborn amid the "genuine care "shown by many Chinese netizens.

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His journey started a few years ago during a COVID-19 quarantine when a feral cat slipped through a gap in the fence of his home. Thomas was struggling with mental health issues, and spent most of his days in bed.

The cat crept in early in the mornings, and Thomas fed her every day without fail. "She gave me a reason to get out of bed," Thomas said. "She kept coming back, always when I needed her most."

He began to win the animal's trust and named her Frances. Thomas started livestreaming their meetings, called "Coffee and Cats with Frances the Stray", on American social network Reddit. The daily ritual of the quiet man and a streetwise cat made the newspapers and went viral online.

One morning Frances showed up injured, and Thomas decided to take her inside. He laid a trail of salmon that led into the house and gently closed the door behind her. Inside, Frances darted into the basement and curled up on a blanket. Hours later she gave birth to a litter of kittens, which Thomas livestreamed to over half a million people. Viewers wept, donated money, and helped name the kittens.

"The whole experience cracked me open," said Thomas. "I was depressed and isolated, and suddenly, there was this tiny life that relied completely on me… I thought maybe she was an angel in disguise sent to save me. But now I think she might have been sent to save even more."

Thomas adopted Frances and her kittens. Over the next few years, he saved two more cats and a three-legged dog Freya. He later launched a nonprofit organization to support animal care.

Curiosity cured the cat

He continues to share his story with Chinese netizens on RedNote. Thomas said he joined the Chinese platform out of curiosity, drawn by its reputation as a space for quiet storytelling, and not viral trends involving "chasing views or shouting to be heard". RedNote is an online community that "feels more human", he said, adding that he never expected to find a sense of belonging on a Chinese social media platform.

People ask questions, remember names, and share their pet stories, with interactions translated back and forth.

"There was kindness. People were curious, respectful. It didn't feel like I had to perform. I could just be myself," said Thomas.

"And then I just became absolutely fascinated with Chinese culture and how America had it all wrong for so long. Now I honestly think I want to move me and my fur babies there."

As responses came in from users around the world — many of whom had never owned a pet or thought about strays — Thomas realized his content was not just about cats anymore.

"It's about what they represent: survival, healing, family, whatever that means to you," he said.

His experience on RedNote was proof small moments can resonate across borders, he said.

"One act of kindness can change everything, and sometimes that big thing you're looking for might come in a small package," said Thomas. "So, keep your eyes open for your hole in the fence — that's what I always like to say now."

Chinese fascination

A US woman known on RedNote as "StressedBigJess" understands Thomas' reaction to Chinese social media.

"The RedNote community is very friendly. Most of the time on American apps, the vibes are rancid," she said. "I like RedNote because there are a lot less ads, and people are extremely kind and wholesome."

Her first post on RedNote was about paying her "cat tax" by posting cat photos and videos to gain permission as a foreigner to join the app. Jess shared a photo of her cat Tino and Cardamom, a British Shorthair, a cat breed she later learned is rare in the United States but extremely common in China.

One comment from a Chinese user moved her. The person had recently lost their own British Shorthair and said Jess' photo reminded them of their late pet. "It made me want to treasure mine even more," Jess said.

Through pet content, she learned that "Chinese cats are very round, while American cats are very pointy".Small-sized pets are popular in China, in part due to apartment living, she found out through exchanges.

These everyday glimpses sparked her curiosity about China. Although immigration restrictions make living in China unlikely for her, Jess now dreams of visiting one day — especially cities like Beijing and Chongqing, a place she envisions as a maze she'd love to explore.

Jess is fascinated by space-maximized apartments, bright lofts with large windows, and clever interior designs posted on RedNote, which are unlike anything she's seen in the US. She adores many aspects of the Chinese lifestyle, including three-wheel cars and the prevalence of vegetable gardens.

RedNote not only connected her to animal lovers across the world, but awakened a genuine interest in Chinese culture and its landscapes. By posting her own life as an average American, she hopes to return the favor — offering others the same kind of candid view she loved discovering in their posts.

"I think people can bond easily over pets. It's human nature to care for cute little animals. Anytime I want to bond with someone I don't know, I bring up my cats and it always works," she said. "I hope one day the world can bond together over pets instead of having conflicts."

Puppy love

Maia, a high school student from a small town in Tigre, Argentina, became attracted to Chinese culture after she began sharing stories on her dog Uma.

What began as simple pet updates on RedNote gradually blossomed into a deeper cultural exchange.

Her loyal German shepherd meets her at the door every day after school. For Maia, the dog is an emotional anchor and a source of calm during moments of teenage uncertainty. "She changed the darkness inside of me to happiness," Maia said.

However, she did not expect to connect with "so many kind and supportive Chinese users". RedNote quickly became a space where she could share her life journey and feelings as part of a big community. She is often surprised by the "warm, thoughtful responses" she gets from Chinese users.

"We often talk about cultural differences, pets, school life, and food. l love it when people ask about Argentina, and l enjoy learning about their lives in return," said Maia. "These exchanges feel like a window into each other's world."

She said she loves the elegance and beauty of traditional Chinese culture, especially the language and music. "I'm also fascinated by Chinese fashion. I love your traditional clothing and lifestyle," she said.

In her posts, she has scribbled the RedNote logo in Chinese across her arm with a marker and showcased her multilingual skills by switching easily between Spanish, Chinese, English, and Portuguese. Maia has introduced Chinese users to the flavors of Argentine biscuits and the breathtaking scenery of her homeland. She has shared Spanish pop songs, inviting others into her world.

In the comments section, people of different nationalities, ages, and family backgrounds exchange stories and different perspectives on life.

"Pets, food, and music are universal," Maia said. "When we share these parts of life sincerely, we discover how similar we are, and real friendships can grow from that into amazing relationships."

Digital sanctuaries

Maia and Thomas are not outliers. RedNote has helped people from around the world find common interests.

Scott Phillips from US state of Washington is the owner of two dogs, Thor and Polly. In just six months on RedNote he has gained over 33,000 followers.

Every morning, Phillips dresses Thor in a tie and posts a photo with the hashtag "#DTOTD" (Dog Tie of The Day), paralleling the "#OOTD" (Outfit of The Day) social media trend. Polly, less cooperative, is usually shown chasing socks birthing the hashtag"#SockOfTheDay".

While most US users left the platform after the easing of the threat to ban TikTok in the US, Phillips stayed.

However, RedNote isn't Phillips' first social media foray. He tried other platforms but had few responses.

"I put the same pictures on Facebook and only my mother commented," he joked.

Phillips sees pets as an opportunity to take aspects of daily life to a broader audience. With a newborn on the way this November, he was imagining how his online scrapbook might grow. He dreams about launching a "#Baby Tie of the Day "hashtag to match Thor's daily fashion updates, though he suspects his wife may have the final say.

"I think pets are a common thread across cultures. My dogs are cute and people see it as a commonality," said Phillips, "I gain popularity from showing the dogs, then take advantage of that to show common things about my country."

Breaking the ice

Astros, originally from China, was adopted by an Icelandic couple in 2004. She has been on RedNote for years and joined when few people outside of China knew about the app.

However, she lacked the courage to post anything until the "TikTok refugee" phenomenon in January 2025.

She witnessed "a spike in foreigners" swarming to the RedNote community, which encouraged her to post. She chose her two cats, Ezekiel and Lucifer, as the icebreakers. One of her posts gained 50,000 views and 8,000 likes.

She joked her post had a couple of very "bad" pictures of her cat, which quickly "blew up".

Foreign followers had a strong interest in all things about China, she discovered. "I have seen a lot of foreigners seeking validation from others and asking Chinese people questions like 'am I beautiful in China?' 'do I look handsome in China?'" she said.

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Astros now fills her RedNote feed with fragments of her life — the soft purring of her cat curled on a gray couch, skeins of yarn in her lap as she knits alone in a cafe, or golden sunsets spilling through the glass doors of her parents' home.

She said she hopes people feel joy from looking at her photos from Iceland. She said she tries to show "a very authentic and relaxed way" of life in her country.

Astros has always lived between the cultures of two countries. Her Chinese appearance speaks of one heritage while her language, habits and outlook reflect another.

For years, she has wrestled with the feeling that she wasn't fully either — not quite Icelandic in the eyes of some, and never Chinese enough to claim that part of herself.

But as she grew older, she stopped trying to resolve that tension. Through RedNote, she began sharing honestly, not just about her pets and hobbies, but about the beauty of existing between two cultures.

"I think the best thing to do is just reach out. Don't be afraid to post your hobbies and passions," said Astros. "There is always someone who shares the same interests as you."