Animal Holidays & Celebrations

UPDATED FOR 2024! With so many wonderful, interesting, and fun animal holidays there are to be celebrated, I thought it would be helpful to keep a calendar of them here! This page has national, international, and world animal days. If you know of any I’ve missed, please let me know!

There are a gazillion pet holidays so I have those listed on the, well, Pet Holidays page.

January Animal Holidays 2024

Month:

• Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
• One Health Awareness Month
• Walk Your Dog Month
• Walk Your Pet Month
• National Train Your Dog Month
• Unchain a Dog Month
• National CBD Month
• Weight Loss Awareness Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Christmas Bird Count Week – December 14, 2023 – January 5, 2024
• International Hoof Care Week – January 23 – 26
• Kiss a Shark Week – January 21-27

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• National Bird Day – January 5
• National Standard Poodle Day – January 6
• National Alaskan Malamute Day – January 7
• National Labrador Retriever Day – January 9
• Eagle Day – January 8
• National Australian Shepherd Day – January 8
• Save the Eagles Day – January 10
• National French Bulldog Day – January 13
• Albert Schweitzer’s Birthday – January 14
• Feast of the Ass (Donkey) – January 14 (Celebrates all the donkeys of the Bible)
• National Dress Up Your Pet Day – January 14
• National American Eskimo Dog Day – January 15
• Appreciate a Dragon Day – January 16
• Dian Fossey’s Birthday – January 16
• National Boxer Day – January 17
• Winnie the Pooh Day – January 18
• National Conservation Dog Day – January 19
• Penguin Awareness Day – January 20
• Bald Eagle Appreciation Days – January 20
• Squirrel Appreciation Day – January 21
• National Yorkshire Terrier Day – January 22
• National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day – January 22
• Change a Pet’s Life Day – January 24
• Rattlesnake Round Up – January 28
• Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary – January 29
• Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day – January 29
• International Zebra Day – January 31

February Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• Humpback Whale Awareness Month
• International Hoof Care Month
• National Bird Feeding Month
• National Goat Yoga Month
• National Wild Bird-Feeding Month
• Responsible Animal Guardian Month
• Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
• Pet Dental Health Month
• Dog Training Education Month
• National Cat Health Month
• Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• Heart Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week – February 7-14
• Homes for Birds Week – February 11-17
• Veterinary Assistant Appreciation Week – February 12-16
• National Nestbox Week – February 14 – 21
• Great Backyard Bird Count – February 16-19
• Bird Health Awareness Week – February 18-24
• Whooping Crane Festival – February 22-25
• National Invasive Species Awareness Week – February 26 – March 1
• National Justice for Animals Week – February 18-25

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• Serpent Day – February 1
• World Greyhound Day – February 1
• National Brown Dog Day – February 2
• Groundhog Day – February 2
• Hedgehog Day – February 2
• Marmot Day (Alaska) – February 2
• Doggie Date Night – February 3
• National Cordova Ice Worm Day – February 3
• National Golden Retriever Day – February 3
• Feed the Birds Day – February 3
• Western Monarch Day – February 5
• World Animal Reiki Day – February 5
• Pet Theft Awareness Day – February 14
• Valentine’s Day – February 14
• National Hippo Day – February 15
• Champion Crab Races Day – February 17
• World Whale Day – February 17
• World Pangolin Day – February 17
• National Boston Terrier Day – February 19
• National Whippet Day – February 19
• Love Your Pet Day – February 20
• International Skye Terrier Day – February 21
• Walking the Dog Day – February 22
• National Wildlife Day – February 22 (In 2018 this date was permanently changed from September 4th in honor of Steve Irwing’s Birthday)
• National Dog Biscuit Day – February 23
• International Polar Bear Day – February 27
• National Polar Bear Day – February 27
• World Spay Day – February 27

March Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
• Poison Prevention Awareness Month
• Dolphin Awareness Month
• Social Work Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• International Festival of Owls – March 1-3
• Professional Pet Sitters Week – March 3-9
• National Aardvark Week – March 7-13
• National Poison Prevention Week – March 17-23
• Termite Awareness Week – March 10-16
• Turkey Vultures Return to the Living Sign – March 11-17

2024 Days:

• National Horse Protection Day – March 1
• National Pig Day – March 1
• National Welsh Corgi Day – March 1
• National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day – March 1
• Employee Appreciation Day – March 1
• International Rescue Cat Day – March 2
• If Pets Had Thumbs Day – March 3
• Tripawd Awareness Day – March 3
• World Wildlife Day – March 3
• International Akita Day – March 8
• Key Deer Awareness Day – March 11
• K-9 Veterans Day – March 13
• World Kidney Day – March 14
• UK Dog Theft Awareness Day – March 14
• Learn About Butterflies Day – March 14
• Save a Spider Day – March 14
• National Catio Day – March 15
• Buzzard Day – March 15
• International Day of Action Against Canadian Seal Slaughter – March 15
• National Panda Day – March 16
• Save the Panther Day – March 16
• Saint Gertrude of Nivelles Day (patron saint of cats) March 17
• National Poultry Day – March 19
• Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day – March 19
• National Westie Day – March 20
• World Sparrow Day – March 20
• World Frog Day – March 20
• National Farm Rescuer Day – March 21
• International Day of the Seal – March 22
• National Puppy Day – March 23
• Cuddly Kitten Day – March 23
• National Newfoundland Dog Day – March 23
• National Terrier Day – March 23
• Manatee Appreciation Day –  March 27
• Respect Your Cat Day – March 28
• Take a Walk in the Park Day – March 30

April Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• National Frog Month
• Adopt a Ferret Month
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
• National Pest Management Month
• National Heartworm Awareness Month
• National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
• Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
• Canine Fitness Month (AKA Active Dog Month)
• National Adopt a Greyhound Month
• Celebrate Diversity Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• International Pooper Scooper Week – April 1-7
• Bat Appreciation Week – April 2-8
• Be Kind to Spiders Week – April 2-8
• National Animal Control Appreciation Week – April 14-20
• National Dog Bite Prevention Week – April 14-20
• National Pet ID Week – April 17-24
• Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week – April 21-27
• International Wildlife Film Week – April 23-30
• National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week – April 10-16
• World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week – April 24-30

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• National Ferret Day – April 2
• Jane Goodall’s Birthday – April 3
• World Rat Day – April 4
• National Siamese Cat Day – April 7
• International Beaver Day – April 7
• National Pet Health Insurance Day – April 7
• World Health Day – April 7
• National Dog Fighting Awareness Day – April 8
• Draw a Picture of a Bird Day – April 8
• Zoo Lovers Day – April 8
• National Unicorn Day – April 9
• National Hug Your Dog Day – April 10
• National Siblings Day – April 10
• ASPCA Day (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) – April 10
• National Pet Day – April 11
• Dog Therapy Appreciation Day – April 11
• World Hamster Day – April 12
• National Dolphin Day – April 14
• Save the Elephant Day – April 16
• Biomedical Research Awareness Day – April 16
• International Bat Appreciation Day – April 17
• National Velociraptor Awareness Day – April 18
• Pet Owners Day – April 18
• National Cat Lady Day – April 19
• Dog Parent Appreciation Day – April 19
• National Yellow Bat Day – April 21
• Earth Day – April 22
• National Lost Dog Awareness Day – April 23
• World Day for Animals in Laboratories – April 24
• World Penguin Day – April 25
• National Kids and Pets Day – April 26
• Audubon Day – April 26
• National Help a Horse Day – April 26
• National Little Pampered Dog Day – April 27
• World Veterinary Day – April 27
• National Go Birding Day – April 27
• Save the Frogs Day – April 27
• Mantanzas Mule Day – April 27
• Marine Mammal Rescue Day – April 27
• World Veterinary Day – April 27
• International Search and Rescue Dog Day – April 28
• Adopt a Shelter Pet Day – April 30
• Eeyore’s Birthday Day – April 30
• National Tabby Day – April 30
• National Animal Advocacy Day – April 30
• National Therapy Animal Day – April 30

May Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Be Kind to Animals Month
• Gardening for Wildlife Month
• International Respect for Chickens Month
• National Duckling Month
• National Pet Month
• National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
• National Foster Care Month
• Chip Your Pet Month
• Responsible Animal Guardian Month
• Pet Cancer Awareness Month
• Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Arthritis Awareness Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Be Kind to Animals Week – May 1-7
• Donkey Week – May 3-10
• The Biggest Week in American Birding – May 3-12
• Puppy Mill Action Week – May 5-11
• National Pet Week – May 5-11
• American Humane Be Kind to Animals Week – May 5-11
• Dog Anxiety Awareness Week May 6-12
• Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show – May 11-14
• National Heritage Breeds Week – May 15-21

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• Save the Rhino Day – May 1
• National Purebred Dog Day – May 1
• International Samoyed Day – May 1
• World Tuna Day – May 2
• International Wild Koala Day – May 3
• National Specially-Abled Pets Day – May 3
• Bird Day – May 4
• Star Wars Day – May 4
• International Respect for Chickens Day – May 4
• Wildfire Preparedness Day – May 4
• Start Seeing Monarchs Day – May 4
• Cinco de Meow Day – May 5
• Mayday for Mutts – May 5
• National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day – May 8
• German Shepherd Day – May 10
• Fintastic Friday: Giving Sharks a Voice – May 13
• National Dog Mom Day – May 11
• Mother’s Day – May 12
• Frog Jumping Day – May 13
• International Chihuahua Appreciation Day – May 14
• International Migratory Bird Day – May 14
• International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day – May 15
• Dinosaur Day – May 18
• National Sea Monkey Day – May 16
• Endangered Species Day – May 17
• World Dog Day – May 18
• National Rescue Dog Day – May 20
• World Bee Day – May 20
• National Rescue Dog Day – May 20
• International Turtle Day – May 23
• World Turtle Day – May 23
• International Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Day – May 25
• Memorial Day – May 27
• Whooping Crane Day – May 28
• National Snail Day – May 29
• World Otter Day – May 29
• World Parrot Day – May 31

June Animal Holidays 2024

Month:

• Zoo and Aquarium Month
• National Pet Preparedness Month
• National Microchipping Month
• National Foster a Pet Month
• Adopt-a-Cat Month® from the American Humane Association
• Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
• National Foster a Pet Month
• Pride Month
• Social PETworking Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Pet Appreciation Week – June 2-8
• National Dog Bite Awareness Week – June 2-8
• Take Your Pet To Work Week – June 17-21
• Animal Rights Awareness Week – June 16-22
• Carpenter Ant Awareness Week – June 16-22
• National Pollinator Week – June 17-23
• Fish are Friends, Not Food Week – June 23-29
• National Insect Week – June 24-30

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• Dinosaur Day – June 1
• International Sheltie Day – June 1
• National Black Bear Day – June 1
• National Animal Rights Day –  June 1
• National Greyhound Day – June 2
• International Corgi Day – June 4
• Hug Your Cat Day – June 4
• June Bug Day – June 7
• World Food Safety Day – June 7
• World Oceans Day – June 8
• Missing Mutts Awareness Day – June 8
• National Best Friends Day – June 8
• International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos – June 8
• National Black Cow Day – June 10
• World Pet Memorial Day – June 11
• National Dog Dad Day – June 15
• Father’s Day – June 16
• World Sea Turtle Day – June 16
• Take Your Cat To Work Day – June 17
• National Internet Cat Day – June 18
• Veterinary Appreciation Day – June 18
• Juneteenth – June 19
• National Garfield the Cat Day – June 19
• National Pets in Film Day – June 19
• Ugliest Dog Day – June 20
• American Eagle Day – June 20
• Take Your Dog To Work Day – June 21
• Dog Party Day – June 21
• National Dachshund Day – Jun 21
• World Giraffe Day – June 21
• National Pet Choking Prevention Day – June 22
• Cat World Domination Day – June 24
• National Catfish Day – June 25
• National Insurance Awareness Day – June 28
• World Day against the abandonment of domestic animals – June 29

July Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• National Bison Month
• Wild About Wildlife Month
• National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
• Independent Retailer Month
• National Lost Pet Prevention Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• National Farriers Week – July 7-13
• National Feed a Rescue Pet Week – July 14-20
• Coral Reef Awareness Week – July 15-21
• National Moth Week – July 20-28

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• ID Your Pet Day – July 1
• American Zoo Day – July 1
• Independence Day – July 4
• World Zoonoses Day – July 5
• International Whippet Day – July 6
• International Kissing Day – July 6
• Cow Appreciation Day – July 9
• Don’t Step on a Bee Day – July 10
• National Kitten Day – July 10
• All-American Pet Photo Day – July 11
• Shark Awareness Day – July 14
• I Love Horses Day – July 15
• National Pet Fire Safety Day – July 15
• Feline Leukemia Day – July 15
• World Snake Day – July 16
• Guinea Pig Appreciation Day – July 16
• World Snake Day – July 16
• Get To Know Your Customers Day – July 18
• World Collie Day – July 21
• National Craft for your Local Shelters Day – July 21
• Take a Monkey to Lunch Day – July 21
• AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day – July 22
• National Dog Photography Day – July 26
• National Parents Day – July 28
• International Friendship Day – July 30
• National Mutt Day – July 30

August Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• National Catfish Month
• National Immunization Awareness Month
• Itchy Pet Awareness Month
• National Dog Month
• Clear the Shelters Month
• Rawgust (celebrates raw feeding for our pets)
• National Back-To-School Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• International Assistance Dog Week – August 4-7
• Give a Dog a Bone Week – August 4-10
• International Bat Nights – August 24-25

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs – August 1
• National Yorkie Day – August 1
• Assistance Dog Day – August 4
• Fresh Breath Day – August 4
• National Sea Serpent Day – August 7
• Scottish Wildcat Day – August 8
• International Cat Day – August 8
• National CBD Day – August 8
• World Lion Day – August 10
• Spoil Your Dog Day – August 10
• National Lazy Day – August 10
• World Elephant Day – August 12
• World Lizard Day – August 14
• National Check the Chip Day – August 15
• Saint Roch’s Day (patron saint of dogs) – August 16
• National Black Cat Appreciation Day – August 17
• Clear the Shelters Day – August 17
• International Non-Profit Day – August 17
• International Homeless Animals Day – August 17
• National Honeybee Day – August 17
• World Orangutan Day – August 19
• World Mosquito Day – August 20
• National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day – August 22
• Blind Dog Day – August 23
• National Dog Day – August 26
• Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day – August 28
• International Whale Shark Day – August 30
• National Holistic Pet Day – August 30

September Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• National Save a Tiger Month
• National Velociraptor Awareness Month
• Save the Koala Month
• World Animal Remembrance Month
• Happy Healthy Cat Month
• National Pet Insurance Month
• Pet-Sitter Education Month
• Animal Pain Awareness Month
• National Service Dog Month
• National Pet Memorial Month
• Responsible Dog Ownership Month
• National Disaster Preparedness Month
• National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
• National Food Safety Education Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Suicide Prevention Week – September 8-14
• National Farm Health and Safety Week – September 15-21
• Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week – September 16-22
• National Farm Animals Awareness Week – September 18 – 24
• National Deaf Pet Awareness Week – September 22-28
• National Dog Week – September 22-28
• Sea Otter Awareness Week – September 25 – October 1

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• Save Japan’s Dolphin Day – September 1
• Ginger Cat Appreciation Day – September 1
• National Wildlife Day – September 2
• World Vulture Day – September 5
• National White Cat Day – September 5
• National Hummingbird Day – September 7
• National Dog Walker Appreciation Day – September 8
• National Hug Your Hound Day – September 8
• National Pet Memorial Day – September 8
• National Iguana Awareness Day – September 8
• World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10
• Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day – September 13
• National Pet Carbon Monoxide Safety Day – September 15
• National Pet Bird Day – September 17
• National Meow Like a Pirate Day – September 19
• International Red Panda Day – September 21
• Puppy Mill Awareness Day – September 21
• Responsible Dog Ownership Day – September 21
• National Cat and Dog Gut Health Awareness Day – September 21
• Elephant Appreciation Day – September 22
• World Rhino Day – September 22
• International Rabbit Day – September 23
• Dogs in Politics Day – September 23
• Adopted Dog Day – September 23
• National Bluebird of Happiness Day – September 24
• Shamu the Whale Day – September 26
• Remember Me Thursday® – September 26
• Save the Koala Day – September 27
• Fish Amnesty Day – September 28
• World Rabies Day – September 28
• International Rabbit Day – September 28
• Happy Goose Day – September 29
• National Puppy Mill Survivor Day – September 30

October Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Bat Appreciation Month
• Feral Hog Month, or Hog Out Month
• Squirrel Awareness Month
• Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month
• National Animal Safety and Protection Month
• Black Cat Awareness Month
• National Pet Obesity Awareness Month
• National Pet Wellness Month
• National Pitbull Awareness Month
• Small Dog Awareness Month
• World Animal Month
• National Women’s Small Business Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• National Walk Your Dog Week – October 1-7
• Animal Welfare Week – October 2-8
• Customer Service Week – October 7-11
• National Veterinary Technician Week – October 13-19
• National Wolf Awareness Week – October 20-26

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• International Raccoon Appreciation Day – October 1
• National Fire Pup Day – October 1
• National Black Dog Day – October 1
• World Farm Animals Day – October 2
• Butterfly and Hummingbird Day – October 3
• Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral Day – October 4
• World Animal Day – October 4
• World Badger Day – October 6
• National Salmon Day – October 8
• National Pet Obesity Awareness Day – October 9
• World Mental Health Day – October 10
• Vet Nurse Day – October 11
• National Feral Cat Day – October 16
• National Fetch Day – October 19
• International Sloth Day – October 19
• Reptile Awareness Day – October 21
• National Pets for Veterans Day – October 21
• American Frog Day – October 21
• World Lemur Day – October 25
• National Mule Day – October 26
• Hug a Sheep Day – October 27
• National Black Cat Day – October 27
• Plush Animal Lovers Day – October 28
• National Cat Day – October 29
• Halloween – October 31

November Animal Holidays 2024

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Turkey Month
• Manatee Awareness Month
• Adopt a Senior Pet Month
• National Senior Pet Month
• Pet Cancer Awareness Month
• Pet Diabetes Month
• National Adoption Month

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week – November 3-9
• Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week – November 10-16
• Practice Managers Appreciation Week – November 10-16

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• National Cook for Your Pets Day – November 1
• World Numbat Day – November 2
• National Bison Day – November 2
• Jellyfish Day – November 3
• One Health Day – November 3
• National Hug a Bear Day – November 7 (Nope. It’s for hugging teddy bears only! Though hugging real bears would be so awesome!)
• National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day – November 7
• International Human-Animal Bond Day – November 8
• International Day of Radiology – November 8
• Veterans Day – November 11
• World Animal Enrichment Day – November 12
• National Philanthropy Day – November 15
• National Slobber Appreciation Day – November 16
• National Take a Hike Day – November 17
• National Black Cat Day – November 17
• National Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Awareness, Research and Education Day – November 19
• Wolfenoot – November 23
• National Adoption Day – November 25
• Thankful for My Dog Day – November 23
• National Border Collie Day – November 24
• Turtle Adoption Day – November 27
• Thanksgiving – November 28
• National Dog Show (always broadcast in the US on Thanksgiving) – November 28

December Animal Holidays 2024

2024 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• National Cat Lovers’ Month
• Safe Toys and Gifts Month
• Christmas Bird Count Week – December 14, 2021 – January 5
• Hanukkah – December 23- January 3, 2025
• Kwanzaa – December 26- January 1, 2025

2024 Days: (Date Order)

• National Mutt Day – December 2
• Giving Tuesday – December 3
• International Cheetah Day – December 4
• World Wildlife Conservation Day – December 4
• Celebrate Shelter Pets Day – December 5
• International Day of Veterinary Medicine – December 9
• National Llama Day – December 9
• National Day of Animal Rights – December 10
• National Day of the Horse – December 13
• Monkey Day – December 14
• Christmas – December 25
• Visit the Zoo Day – December 27
• New Year’s Eve – December 31