National Dog Day 2027 is on Thursday

About National Dog Day

National Dog Day honors family dogs and working dogs alike: guide and service dogs, police and military dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and detection dogs trained to find drugs or explosives. Alongside the celebration, it asks people to think about the dogs that end up in shelters every year and to consider adoption.

Colleen Paige, a pet lifestyle author and animal welfare advocate, founded the day in 2004. She went on to create several other pet observances, including National Cat Day, National Puppy Day and National Pet Day. The day's website says its purpose is to help the public see how many dogs need rescuing each year from public shelters and from rescues for mixed and pure breeds, and it encourages adopting rather than buying.

National Dog Day has no government status. It is an informal observance that grew mostly through news coverage and social media, where owners share photos of their dogs on the date. Many shelters and rescue groups use the day to promote adoption, fostering and donations, which keeps the founder's original focus on homeless dogs in view.

Sources: National Dog Day: About, Colleen Paige: pet holidays she founded. How we check dates.

How to mark National Dog Day

• If you're ready for a dog, visit a local shelter or breed rescue and ask about the dogs that have waited longest.
• Donate food, toys, blankets or money to a shelter, or sign up to walk dogs there.
• Book a vet check-up if your dog is due, and confirm that vaccinations and microchip details are current.
• Take your dog somewhere new to sniff and explore, such as a different trail or park where dogs are allowed.
• Thank someone in your community who trains or handles service, therapy or search-and-rescue dogs.

National Dog Day dates