It’s National Pet Day
Today is April 11, otherwise known as National Pet Day! What is this day all about? It’s a day to call attention to orphaned pets so that we can help them out. It’s all about helping out these animals that aren’t getting any love, attention, or companionship that they deserve. We should do our part (today especially) for these furry friends of ours!
History
When did this holiday first start? Research shows that some believe it started in 2005, while others note 2006 or 2007. Regardless of the year, it looks like we’ve been celebrating this day for some time now…and rightfully so!
Many believe that Colleen Paige, a Pet Lifestyle Expert & Animal Welfare Advocate, created National Pet Day. She wanted to celebrate the joy that pets bring into our lives while also reducing the number of pets that have to live in shelters.
Can You Guess…?
What are the most popular pets? What do you think? It appears that here are the most popular pets ranked:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Fish
- Birds
- Hamsters
- Gerbils
What are some other of the most popular pets? Supposedly they’re mice, horses, and snakes…oh my!
Taking Care of Your Own Pets
This day is a great time to do those less-frequent pet tasks and make sure that you’re treating your own pets properly.
- Go through your pet’s toys. Are there any that appear to be unsafe? Now is a great time to throw those away and maybe even replace the toy pile with some new and exciting toys to keep your pet occupied!
- Check around your house to make sure that the environment is still pet-friendly. Make sure that cords, chemicals, and other materials that could be dangerous are kept far out of reach from your favorite animal friends.
- Make sure that your pet’s annual check-up with the vet is scheduled and on the calendar! This is also a great time to ensure that their vaccinations are up to date.
- Check your pet’s collars to make sure that the information on there is accurate and current. In case of your pet escaping, we want to make sure they get back home to you safely!
At Home Activities
Now that the responsible tasks are out of the way, here are some ideas to make your National Pet Day more exciting, rewarding, and helpful.
- Take extra toys, blankets, food, etc. to pets that are stuck living in shelters.
- Spend time volunteering at a shelter to walk the dogs, pet the cats, or to just devote time, attention, and affection towards those animals that are so in need of it.
- Do something extra special for your own pet. This might include taking your dog to a dog park or on a trail walk, making homemade treats for your pet to safely enjoy, spend extra time petting your cat, or anything else you can think of!
- Make a list of the responsibilities that come along with owning a pet. Share this list with someone who is thinking of getting a pet to make sure that they’re ready for all of the extra effort that comes along with it!
- If you don’t have a pet, or even if you do have a pet but want another one, draw a picture of a pet you want. You can make this a “pretend” animal by using your imagination, if you’d like! Write down the type of pet, its name, what it enjoys, and some other facts about it.
What a special day today is! Make sure that it’s special for your favorite furry (or…scaly) friends as well. They deserve it!
