National Pet Day: History, Significance, Importance

National Pet Day 2023 will be celebrated on April 11 around the world. Also known as Love Your Pet Day, this day is dedicated to pets and acknowledging the joy that they bring into our lives. On National Pet Day, people take time out of their hectic lives to give pet animals additional attention, care, and affection.

Colleen Paige, an animal welfare campaigner, launched this day in 2006 to bring attention to the plight of animals in shelters all across the world. In this article, we have shared further details about National Pet Day 2023, its history, and its significance.

National Pet Day 2023

Pets are an important part of many of our lives. National Pet Day is an opportunity to show affection towards your pets and encourage people to adopt pets. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has evaluated the physical and emotional benefits of owning a pet for the past ten years. Pets Day is the right time to visit your local pet shelter and give a needy animal a forever home.

Pets can not only steal our hearts, but they can also help us maintain good cardiovascular health by decreasing cortisol, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Find more details about National Pet Day 2023 here.

National Pet Day - History

Colleen Paige, an animal lover, and reformer launched National Pet Day in 2006 to honour the joy that pets provide in our lives. Here are the complete details about the history of Pets Day.

• Colleen's began in the United States, but it quickly spread worldwide.
• Today, pet lovers in the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Israel, Scotland, and several other countries commemorate National Pet Day.
• Celebrities have also stepped forward to support the cause. People like Taylor Swift and Jimmy Fallon have taken it to social media and have supported the cause.
• Through the Love Your Pet Day initiative, Colleen wanted to highlight the importance of shelters for pet animals.
• Instead of going to a breeder, she advised to reach out to adoption agencies that rescue cats and dogs from different kinds of sites.
• "Don't shop! Adopt!" has been a popular catchphrase for National Pet Day.

Pets Day - Significance

National Pet Day celebrates the noble cause of keeping pets and saving animals. Initially, the day was observed only in the United States of America. However, it is gaining a lot of popularity in other countries. In fact, Pet Day has now become a global movement, with celebrities and corporations supporting the cause and spreading the message.

• Every year, 13 million cats and dogs enter shelters in the United States, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Some were stray animals, while others were surrendered by owners who couldn't care for them any longer.
• According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, around 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters each year.
• National Pet Day brings such insight to the mainstream with the aim of encouraging people to adopt animals instead of shopping for them.

How to Celebrate National Pet Day?

Today, Pets Day has become a global phenomenon. Colleen's campaign has benefited from the use of social media to promote joy and raise awareness. One of the highlights of National Pet Day was when President Barack Obama released a photo of Bo, the dog he rehomed. Here is how you can celebrate this day:

• National Pet Day can be the perfect opportunity to make a visit to your local animal shelter and adopt a pet.
• You can donate to NGOs that work for animal welfare.
• You can volunteer as an animal welfare volunteer on Pets Day.
• Feed the local animals and give them some pets.

FAQs on National Pet Day

Q1. When is National Pet Day celebrated?

National Pet Day is celebrated on April 11 every year. Initially only celebrated in the United States, Pets Day is now celebrated in other parts of the world, including, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Israel, Scotland, etc.

Q2. Why do we celebrate National Pet Day?

We celebrate National Pet Day to acknowledge the warmth that pets bring into our lives. This day was launched by Colleen Paige in 2006 to spread the message of looking after our furry friends. National Pet Day has become an annual global phenomenon now.

Q3. Who started National Pet Day?

Colleen Paige started National Pet Day, also known as Love Your Pet Day. She wanted to highlight the plight of domestic animals, especially in animal shelters, where many of them are mistreated. Through National Pet Day, Colleen aims to encourage people to adopt animals.

Q4. When was National Pet Day founded?

National Pet Day was launched on April 11, 2006, for the first time in the United States. The campaign for Pet Day spread through social media and today, this day is celebrated all around the world. National Pet Day spread the message of caring for our furry friends.

Q5. How to celebrate National Pet Day?

To celebrate National Pet Day, you can donate to NGOs that work for animal welfare or volunteer at an animal welfare shelter yourself. National Pet Day is also the perfect opportunity to visit your local animal shelter and adopt a pet.

Q6. Is today National Pet Day?

National Pet Day is on April 11. Several countries, organizations and celebrities participate in celebrating Pets Day by sharing a picture of their pet on social media. National Pet Day aims to highlight the positive difference adopting a pet can make in the pet’s and the pet owner’s life.