Pet Holidays & Celebrations
UPDATED FOR 2024! With so many wonderful, interesting, and fun pet 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 pet days. If you know of any I’ve missed, please let me know! There are a gazillion awesome animal holidays, too! Discover them on the Animal Holidays page.
January Pet Holidays
Month:
- Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
- National Train Your Dog Month
- Walk Your Dog/Pet Month
- One Health Awareness Month
- National CBD Month
- Weight Loss Awareness Month
2024 Days:
- Christmas Bird Count Week – December 14, 2023 – January 5, 2024
- National Pet Travel Safety Day – January 2
- National Bird Day – January 5
- National Cuddle Up Day – January 6
- National Dress Up Your Pet Day – January 14
- Squirrel Appreciation Day – January 21
- Kiss a Shark Week – January 21-27
- National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day – January 22
- International Hoof Care Week – January 23 – 26
- Change a Pet’s Life Day – January 24
- Seeing Eye Guide Dog Day – January 29
February Pet Holidays
Month:
- Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
- Pet Dental Health Month
- Dog Training Education Month
- National Cat Health Month
- Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
- International Hoof Care Month
- National Bird Feeding Month
- National Goat Yoga Month
- Responsible Animal Guardian Month
2024 Weeks:
- 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
- National Justice for Animals Week – February 18-25
- Whooping Crane Festival – February 22-25
- National Invasive Species Awareness Week – February 26 – March 1
2024 Days:
- Serpent’s 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
- Doggy Date Night – February 3
- International Golden Retriever Day – February 3
- World Animal Reiki Day – February 5
- Pet Theft Awareness Day – February 14
- National Hippo Day – February 15
- Champion Crab Races Day – February 17
- World Whale Day – February 17
- World Pangolin Day – February 17
- Love Your Pet Day – February 20
- National Walk Your Dog Day – February 22
- International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day – February 23
- Spay Day USA/ World Spay Day – February 27
March Pet Holidays
Month:
- International Rescue Cat Awareness Month
- Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
- Poison Prevention Awareness Month
- Dolphin Awareness Month
2024 Weeks:
- International Festival of Owls – March 1-3
- Professional Pet Sitters Week – March 3-9
- National Aardvark Week – March 7-13
- Termite Awareness Week – March 10-16
- Turkey Vultures Return to the Living Sign – March 11-17
- National Animal Poison Prevention Week – March 17-23
2024 Days:
- National Pig Day – March 1
- Employee Appreciation Day – March 1
- National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day – March 1
- National Horse Protection Day – March 1
- International Rescue Cat Day – March 2
- If Pets Had Thumbs Day – March 3
- World Wildlife Day – March 3
- K-9 Veterans Day – March 13
- Learn About Butterflies Day – March 14
- Save a Spider Day – March 14
- National Panda Day – March 16
- Save the Panther Day – March 16
- Saint Gertrude of Nivelles Day (The Patron Saint of Cats) – March 17
- World Frog Day – March 20
- National Puppy Day – March 23
- Cuddle a Kitten Day – March 23
- Manatee Appreciation Day – March 27
- Respect Your Cat Day – March 28
- Take a Walk in the Park Day – March 30
April Pet Holidays
Month:
- National Greyhound Adoption Month
- Adopt a Ferret Month
- National Frog Month
- Canine Fitness Month (AKA Active Dog Month)
- National Heartworm Awareness Month
- National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
- Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
- National Pet Month
2024 Weeks:
- 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 10-16
- National Dog Bite Prevention Week – April 14-20
- National Pet ID Week – April 17-23, 2024
- Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week – April 21-27
- International Wildlife Film Week – April 23-30
- World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week – April 24-30
2024 Days:
- National Ferret Day – April 2
- 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 Pet Holidays
Month:
- Be Kind to Animals Month
- Gardening for Wildlife Month
- International Respect for Chickens Month
- National Foster Care Month
- Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
- Lyme Disease Prevention Month
- Responsible Animal Guardian Month
- National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
- National Chip Your Pet Month
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month
- National Pet Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Arthritis Awareness Month
2024 Weeks:
- 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:
- 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 Pet Holidays
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:
- 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:
- 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 Pet Holidays
Month:
- National Dog House Repair Month
- National Lost Pet Prevention Month
- National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
- Beat the Heat Month
- National Bison Month
- Wild About Wildlife Month
- Independent Retailer Month
- Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
2024 Weeks:
- Independence Day – July 4 (This US holiday is no holiday for dogs and other domestic pets; the sounds of fireworks cause many pets (especially dogs and cats) to panic and run, resulting in many lost pets every year.)
- 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:
- 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
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- Rawgust Celebration Month (celebrating raw feeding for pets)
- National Catfish Month
- Itchy Pet Awareness Month
- National Dog Month
- Clear the Shelters Month
- National Back-To-School Month
- International Assistance Dog Week – August 4-7
- Give a Dog a Bone Week – August 4-10
- International Bat Nights – August 24-25
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
August Pet Holidays
Month:
2024 Weeks:
2024 Days:
September Pet Holidays
Month:
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2024 Days:
Puppy Mill Awareness Day – September 21
October Pet Holidays
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November Pet Holidays
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December Pet Holidays
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I didn’t know about your website. I energy healing on pets so this great.
Is looks like there’s two National Black Cat Days? One in October and one in November? I thought the best date for this may have been Halloween, October 31?
Do you think you could add International Blind Dog Day to the list of pet holidays? It is on August 23 every year. Here is more information.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridgeshire-dog-lover-launches-first-13512242
Thank you for your consideration.
Hi, Dawn!
Yes! Happy to do this! Thanks for reaching out!
Stay wild,
Bernadette