Pets hold a special place in our hearts and homes. They’re not just animals; they’re family. They offer unwavering companionship, endless entertainment, and a unique kind of love that brightens our lives every single day. For those of us lucky enough to share our lives with pets, it often feels like every day is pet appreciation day. However, there’s a special day dedicated to these wonderful creatures and to raising awareness about pets in need of loving homes: National Pet Day.
Discovering 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
For many pet lovers, the sentiment of National Pet Day resonates daily. We instinctively acknowledge the immeasurable joy and affection animals bring into our existence, showering our pets with love and care. Whether your household is ruled by a purring cat, a hopping bunny, a clucking chicken, or a loyal dog, National Pet Day is the ideal occasion to give your pet an extra dose of affection and express just how much they enrich your life. For countless individuals, a pet is the most steadfast companion they’ll ever know. After all, where else can you find such unwavering loyalty?
Have you ever pondered which pets reign supreme in popularity worldwide? It’s likely no surprise that dogs lead the pack, closely followed by cats! But what follows? Fish come in third, trailed by birds. Completing the list of favored pets are hamsters, gerbils, mice, horses, and snakes.
How to Make National Pet Day Special
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
Open Your Heart and Home: Adopt a Pet
One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate National Pet Day is by choosing to adopt a pet from your local animal shelter or a breed-specific rescue organization. Bringing an adopted animal into your life can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and it’s a truly life-saving act for a pet in need.
Lend a Helping Hand: Volunteer at a Shelter
Even if you’re not in a position to adopt, you can still make a difference by volunteering at your local animal shelter. Shelters always welcome help with tasks like walking dogs, feeding animals, and providing general care. If you can’t volunteer your time, consider donating much-needed items such as blankets, pet food, and toys to support their efforts.
Shower Your Pet with Love: Enjoy Quality Time
If you already have a beloved pet, National Pet Day is the perfect opportunity to spoil them! Dedicate extra time to playing with them, taking fun photos, buying them a new toy or tasty treat, and simply lavishing them with the affection they so freely give back.
There’s a plethora of enjoyable activities to share with your furry, scaly, or feathered friend on National Pet Day. Try teaching your pet a new trick – and don’t forget to reward their efforts! You could also splurge on a special gift for your pet or even get crafty and make one yourself. And most importantly, tell your pet how much you love them!
Share Your Pet’s Cuteness: Pets of Instagram
Why not launch a social media account for your pet on National Pet Day? Numerous pet Instagram accounts have achieved viral fame. If you believe your pet has that extra spark of adorableness, creating an Instagram profile could be a fun way to see how far their charm can reach!
Expand Your Knowledge: Learn About Pets
Consider using National Pet Day to delve deeper into the world of pets and their historical significance. There are fascinating stories and myths surrounding animals in various ancient cultures. Ancient Egypt is a great starting point. Did you know that the Egyptians were so devoted to cats they even sacrificed their nation for them?
In 525 BCE, the Egyptian army famously surrendered to the Persians rather than fight, as doing so would risk harming cats, considered sacred animals. The Persians strategically exploited this reverence by carrying images of the Egyptian cat goddess Bastet on their shields. This pivotal event highlights the profound role cats played in Ancient Egyptian society, making it a captivating area for further exploration, along with the diverse relationships between animals and cultures throughout history.
The Origins of National Pet Day
National Pet Day was established in 2006 by Colleen Paige, a passionate animal welfare advocate and Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert. She envisioned this day as a celebration of the happiness pets bring to our lives and a platform to advocate for pet adoption from shelters.
Driven by her concern for the millions of animals awaiting homes in shelters, Paige created National Pet Day to raise public awareness about pet adoption. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million animals enter US animal shelters annually.
While encouragingly, the number of animals entering shelters has decreased over the years, a significant number still face homelessness and sadly, euthanasia due to overcrowding and lack of awareness.
Paige’s hope is that National Pet Day will contribute to a continued decrease in these numbers by promoting adoption as the primary choice for those seeking a pet. This message is particularly important for individuals considering purchasing a pet from a breeder. The core message of National Pet Day is to cherish and spoil our pets, advocate for adoption, and support local animal shelters through volunteering.
Ultimately, National Pet Day is a tribute to the unconditional love pets bring to our lives daily. It’s an annual reminder to pause, appreciate our animal companions, and dedicate time to nurturing those special bonds.
National Pet Day Timeline
30,000 BC
Animals become domesticated
The transformative journey of animals becoming domesticated begins, likely with dogs, forging a new relationship between humans and animals, evolving into companionship.[1]
3100 BC
Ancient Egyptians keep dogs as pets
Ancient Egyptians keep dogs, initially primarily for work as guards and hunting companions, but they are also given names and adorned with collars, indicating a shift towards pet keeping.[2]
3000 BC
Ancient Egyptians keep cats indoors
The practice of storing grains necessitates pest control, leading to the integration of wild cats into homes to hunt mice, marking an early stage of cat domestication and pet keeping.[3]
1869
First animal shelter founded in the US
Driven by compassion, a group of 30 women, led by Caroline Earl White, establishes The Women’s Branch of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, marking the inception of organized animal sheltering in the US.[4]
2006
First National Pet Day is celebrated
Inspired by a deep love for animals, animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige establishes National Pet Day to promote pet adoption from shelters and celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives.[5]
National Pet Day FAQs
When is National Pet Day celebrated?
National Pet Day is observed annually on April 11th. This special day is dedicated to celebrating and cherishing the pets that bring immense joy and love into our families each year.[1]
Are Pets Beneficial for Children?
Absolutely! Pets offer children not only affection, companionship, and a sense of security but also valuable life lessons in responsibility, compassion, gentleness, and trust.[2]
What is the Core Purpose of National Pet Day?
National Pet Day serves a dual purpose: to express gratitude for our own pets and to raise awareness about the needs of abandoned or at-risk pets, encouraging adoption and support for shelters.[3]
Which Pets Are Considered Low-Maintenance?
While dogs and cats are the most prevalent, many beloved pets require less intensive care, including turtles, tortoises, hamsters, and fish, making them excellent choices for various lifestyles.[4]
Is Pet Ownership on the Rise?
Yes, indeed! The populations of both dogs and cats in households are increasing, although the average number of pets per household has slightly decreased, indicating broader pet ownership across more homes.[5]
References
[1] ABC News. (2016, August 26). A brief history of dogs as pets. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/history-dogs-pets/story?id=41671149
[2] Sendat Academy. (2020, June). Ancient Egyptian Pets. https://sendat.academy/students/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2020/06/ancient-egyptian-pets_v2_64126.pdf
[3] Utne Reader. (n.d.). Pet Timeline. https://www.utne.com/community/pettimeline/
[4] Wide Open Pets. (2019, April 10). First US Animal Shelter Founded 150 Years Ago. Wide Open Pets. https://www.wideopenpets.com/first-us-animal-shelter-founded-150-years-ago/
[5] Woof Republic. (2021, April 9). April 11th – National Pet Day. Woof Republic. https://woofrepublic.com/blog/april-11-national-pet-day
[6] Pet Day USA. (n.d.). National Pet Day. http://www.petdayusa.com/
[7] Pet Health Network. (n.d.). Pets are Good for Kids. https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/news-blogs/a-vets-life/pets-are-good-kids
[8] PureWow. (n.d.). Low-Maintenance Pets. https://www.purewow.com/family/low-maintenance-pets
[9] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). (2021, December 1). Pet population still on rise, but fewer pets per household. JAVMA News. https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2021-12-01/pet-population-still-rise-fewer-pets-household
