What is National Pet Day all about?

With all kinds of pets waiting in shelters to find their forever homes, Colleen Paigewanted to bring attention to pet adoption worldwide.

How many pets are looking for forever homes?

Approximately 6.3 million animals enter animal shelters in the United States every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats are in need of forever homes. Source: ASPCA

Does National Pet Day have a motto?

The holiday motto is “Don’t shop! Adopt!” to encourage people looking for purebred dogs and cats to contact rescue organizations instead of going to a breeder.

Who celebrates National Pet Day?

Social media helped to spread the word about National Pet Day which is celebrated by pet lovers worldwide. Even celebrities share their love on National Pet Day, including Taylor Swift, Ricky Gervais, Cee Lo Green, Jimmy Fallon, Willy Nelson, Kevin Bacon, Seth Myers, and Carrie Underwood, Barack Obama and many others.

National Pet Day - April 11, 2025

National Pet Day takes place every year on April 11. Our pets do so much for us every day of the year, the world decided to dedicate an entire day to celebrating the joy and companionship that pets bring into our lives!

Pets make people happier!

The goal of National Pet Day is to celebrate and bring awareness to the special bond between humans and their pets.

Pets reduce stress!

Although dogs and cats are the most popular pets, National Pet Day is for all the animals that keep us happy and healthy—even snakes and spiders.

Pets improve our mental health!

Knowing how much people benefit from having a pet, Colleen Paige, a U.S. based animal welfare advocate and pet expert, founded National Pet Day in 2006 and it is now celebrated in over 10 countries worldwide including Ireland, the UK, Italy, Spain, and Australia.

*Source: Vetster survey of 1,000 pet parents

FAQ

Country	Holiday	Date
Japan	Cat Day - celebrating feline friends!	February 22nd
Thailand	National Elephant Day - celebrating native elephants in the region!	March 13
Latvia	Zirgu Diena - horses are celebrated on this day!	January 17
Italy	Similar to Groundhog Day, Italy has observes Hedgehog Day!	February 2nd
Poland	Day of help for forest animals - Poland observes the positive impact of animals have on the environment	February 11

3 Ways to Celebrate Your Pet this National Pet Day

Last year, we invited pet parents to join the National Pet Day Off movement - encouraging them to take the day off to spend with their pets. Consider encouraging your office to celebrate National Pet Day by starting a “bring your pet to work” day on April 11, volunteering at a local animal shelter, or donating to an animal-focused charity.

Spend Quality Time With Them

There’s nothing our pets love more than some quality one-on-one time with us. Quality time with your pet can take many forms, including playing games, going for walks, or simply cuddling on the couch with them.

Shower Them With Toys and Treats

Playing with toys helps establish trust and deepen your relationship with your furry friend, and is a great way to bond with your pet. Adding treats is a great way to make play time even more exciting.

Practice Proactive Care To Keep Them Healthy All Year Round

Our animals age faster than we do so an annual exam is equivalent to a human visiting the doctor every four to five years. A proactive approach to your pet’s health supports early detection of conditions or diseases that might otherwise increase in severity and expense.

Chat with a vet today about your pets health.

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