National Pet Day
Give a little extra love and pampering to your pet, or if you can, take the plunge to enrich your life and the life of a smaller friend by adopting a pet.
People love their pets! They’re some of the most excellent companions’ people can have and make a living each day just a little bit better.
However, for the animals who don’t have homes, many people don’t realize the benefits of adopting a pet. Even those animals who are old can become some of the greatest gifts in life.
National Pet Day celebrates the joy that pets bring into peoples lives and encourages people to help reduce the number of animals in shelters. Bringing humans and animals together helps make the world a better place.
Learn About National Pet Day
For me, a house or an apartment becomes a home when you add one set of four legs, a happy tail, and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog.
Roger Caras
National Pet Day may as well take place every day for most pet owners. After all, we all recognize the love and joy that animals bring to our lives, and we make sure to let our pets know how much they mean to use.
From cats and bunnies to chickens and dogs; no matter what pets you have in your home, National Pet Day gives you the perfect opportunity to hug your pet more and let him or her know how much they brighten up your life. For most people, a pet is the best friend they will ever have! At the end of the day, you’re never going to find someone more loyal than a pet, right?
Have you ever wondered what the world’s most popular pets are? We are sure that it does not come as a surprise that dogs are the most popular, followed by cats! But, what comes next? Well, you have fish, and then birds. After this, hamsters, gerbils, mouses, horses, and snakes complete the list of the most popular pets.
How to Celebrate National Pet Day
Treat your furry companion with some of the internet’s most bizarre pet items
After searching the web for the most creative and unusual National Pet Day products, we’ve found some great ones, but also some products that will give you nightmares.
Are you ready to see some haunting products that will make you say “Wait—what?”
Licki Your Cat Brush
Do you love your cat, but wish you could bond with them in a more…intimate way? Well, now you can! With the Licki Your Cat Brush, you can finally experience what it’s like to lick your cat like a mother cat grooms her kittens.
Yep, that was as weird for us to write as it was for you to read.
"AS SEEN ON TV" Puff-N-Fluff Dog Dryer
The Puff-N-Fluff Dog Dryer is the perfect way to reduce wet dog odor and keep your pup warm and cozy after a long walk. Plus, it makes them look like a Soviet space pooch – what could be better? Your dog will hate love you for it!
Dancing with Cats: 15th Anniversary Hardcover
This cult-classic hardcover book is the perfect way to bond with your cat (maybe) and teach them about the joys of dance. Plus, it's a great conversation starter at parties (also, maybe).
Get hands-on
Adopted pets are the best pets you can have. Most adoptable pets come from loving homes that simply cannot care for them anymore. Or they are strays who’ve been on their own without the loving care they deserve.
Josh Duhamel
Adopt a Pet
Celebrate National Pet Day by adopting a pet from a local shelter or pure breed rescue organization. Adopting an animal can become the greatest gift ever received in your life and can help save lives.
Voluteer at a Shelter
You can also volunteer at your local shelter and help take care of the animals by giving the dogs walks around the area. You can also help feed and care for them. Donate blankets, food, and toys if you can’t afford an animal.
Enjoy Your Pets
If you have a pet, spend time with them by taking pictures of them, buy them new toys, give them treats, and give them the love that they always give back.
There are lots of different activities you can enjoy on National Pet Day with your fluffy friend! You could try to teach your pet some new tricks, and make sure you reward him for his efforts! You could also purchase a special gift for your pet or go to that extra mile and make one. Telling your pet that you love him or her as well!
Pets of Instagaram
You could create a social media account for your pet on National Pet Day. There is a lot of pet Instagram accounts that have gone viral. If you think that you have an extra lovable pet, why not create an Instagram account and see just how famous your furry friend can become?
Learn About Pets
You could also spend some time learning a bit more about pets and the role they have played in history. There are some incredibly interesting stories and tales about animals and different beliefs amongst Ancient tribes and communities. A good place to start is with the Egyptians. Did you know that the Egyptians even sacrificed their country for cats?
In 525 BCE, the Egyptians refused to fight because it would offend their goddess. This resulted in the Egyptian Army surrendering to the Persians, who had an image of the Egyptian cat deity, Bastet, painted on their shields. There is no denying that cats played a very important role in Ancient Egypt, and so it is certainly worth looking into this further, as well as exploring different cultures and their association with animals too.
History of National Pet Day
National Pet Day began in 2006 when animal welfare advocate, Colleen Paige, decided she wanted to celebrate the joy that pets bring into people’s lives. As a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, she wanted to celebrate all pets.
Advocating for the adoption of pets from animal shelters, she brainstormed the holiday to create public awareness for the animals awaiting homes in shelters. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters every year.
The number of animals entering shelters has been significantly decreasing over the years. But there’s still a significant number of animals entering and being euthanized due to shelter capacity and lack of awareness.
Page hopes that these numbers can continue to decrease with the celebration of National Pet Day. Encouraging adoption as a first choice is one of the main ideas behind National Pet Day.
This is especially true in regards to those who are thinking about purchasing a pet from a breeder. On this day, people are encouraged to love their pets, spoil them, adopt pets, and volunteer at the local animal shelter.
National Pet Day celebrates the unconditional love that animals give to people in their daily lives. It also encourages people to take the time to spend time with their beloved animals.
National Pet Day Timeline
30,000 BC
Animals become domesticated
Likely starting with dogs, the relationship between humans and animals takes a turn and these domesticated animals become pets.[1]
3100 BC
Ancient Egyptians keep dogs as pets
Though they have more of a working relationship as guard dogs or hunting dogs, these ancient pets wear collars and are even given names.[2]
3000 BC
Ancient Egyptians keep cats indoors
With granary storage comes the need for pest control, so wild cats are allowed inside to hunt mice.[3]
1869
First animal shelter founded in the US
With a heart for animals, a group of 30 women, led by Caroline Earl White, starts The Women’s Branch of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.[4]
2006
First National Pet Day is celebrated
Animal welfare advocate and pet lifestyle trainer, Colleen Paige, is inspired to create this day with the intention of promoting the love of pets and to encourage the importance of pet adoption and pet rescue from animal shelters.[5]
National Pet Day FAQs
When is National Pet Day?
This day of celebrating pets occurs every year on April 11 and is meant to be a day to appreciate and enjoy the pets that bring families so much joy and love.[1]
Are Pets good for kids?
Pets not only provide care, affection, companionship and security for children, they also help to teach responsibility, compassion, gentleness and trust.[2]
What is National Pet Day?
National Pet Day was created with the intention of not only appreciating personal pets but also considering what can be done to help abandoned or at-risk pet[3]
What pets are easy to take care of?
While dogs and cats are the most common, many lower maintenance pets are beloved, including turtles, tortoises, hamsters and fish.[4]
Is Pet ownership increasing?
Yes! The populations of dogs and cats in homes are both on the rise, although most households with pets don’t have as many on average as they used to.[5]
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