Start off the new year right by marking your calendar with holidays to celebrate with your pet! This comprehensive list of National Pet Holidays will have you and your pet partying hard all year long. Many of these holidays urge you to spend time appreciating your pet, while others inspire community action or aim to raise awareness. Whichever holidays you choose to celebrate, do so with gusto!
JANUARY
National Train Your Dog Month
Walk Your Dog Month
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
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Jan. 2 Happy “Mew” Year for Cats
Jan. 14 National Dress Up Your Pet Day
Jan. 22 National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day
Jan. 24 Change a Pet’s Life Day
FEBRUARY
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
National Pet Dental Health Month
Dog Training Education Month
National Cat Health Month
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Feb 2. National Hedgehog Day
Feb. 3 Doggy Date Night
Feb. 3 National Golden Retriever Day
Feb. 14 Pet Theft Awareness Day
Feb. 20 Love Your Pet Day
Feb. 21-27 National Justice for Animals Week
Feb. 22 Walking the Dog Day
Feb. 23 National Dog Biscuit Day
MARCH
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
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March 1 National Pig Day
March 3 If Pets Had Thumbs Day
March 7-13 Professional Pet Sitters Week
March 13 K9 Veterans Day
March 23 National Puppy Day
March 23 Cuddly Kitten Day
March 28 Respect Your Cat Day
March 30 Take a Walk in the Park Day
APRIL
Canine Fitness Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
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April 6 National Siamese Cat Day
April 10 National Hug your Dog Day
April 11 National Pet Day
April 11 Celebrate Shelter Pets Day
April 19 National Cat Lady Day
April 23 National Lost Dog Awareness Day
April 26 National Kids and Pets Day
April 30 Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
MAY
National Pet Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
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May 2-8 National Pet Week
May 8 National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 14 International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 20 National Rescue Dog Day
JUNE
Adopt a Cat Month from the American Humane Association
Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
National Foster a Pet Month
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June 4 Hug Your Cat Day
June 8 World Pet Memorial Day
June 21 Take your Pet to Work Day
June 24 Cat World Domination Day
JULY
National Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
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July 1 ID Your Pet Day
July 10 National Kitten Day
July 11 All-American Pet Photo Day
July 21 National Craft for Your Shelters Day
July 26 National Pet Photography Day
July 31 National Mutt Day
AUGUST
National Wellness Month
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Aug. 1 DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
Aug. 5 Work Like A Dog Day
Aug. 8 International Cat Day
Aug. 10 Spoil your Dog Day
Aug. 17 Black Cat Appreciation Day
Aug. 21 National Homeless Animals’ Day
Aug. 26 National Dog Day
SEPTEMBER
National Cat Month
National Pet Insurance Month
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Sept. 1 Ginger Cat Appreciation
Sept. 8 National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
Sept. 12 National Pet Memorial Day
Sept. 18 Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Sept. 19-25 Deaf Dog Awareness Week
Sept. 23 Remember Me Thursday
OCTOBER
American Humane’s Adopt-a-Dog Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
National Animal Safety and Awareness Month
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Oct. 1-7 National Walk Your Dog Week
Oct. 4 World Animal Day
Oct. 13 National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
Oct. 16 Global Cat Day
Oct. 27 National Black Cat Day (UK)
Oct. 29 National Cat Day
NOVEMBER
Adopt a Senior Pet Month
National Pet Awareness Month
National Senior Pet Month
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Pet Diabetes Month
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Nov. 1 National Cook for your Pets Day
Nov. 12 Fancy Rat and Mouse Day
Nov. 7-13 National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
Nov. 13 World Kindness Day
Nov. 17 Take a Hike Day
Nov. 25 National Dog Show (broadcast on Thanksgiving in the US)
DECEMBER
National Cat Lover’s Month
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Dec. 2 National Mutt Day
Dec. 9 International Day of Veterinary Medicine
Dec. 13 Day of the Horse
Dec. 15 Cat Herders Day
Dec. 17 Underdog Day
Primary sources: PSI, dox design
Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.