National Pet Day 2027 is on Sunday

About National Pet Day

Unlike days devoted to a single species, National Pet Day takes in every kind of companion animal: dogs and cats, and also rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish and small mammals such as guinea pigs. It is a day to appreciate pets and to think about the responsibilities that come with them, from the right diet and housing to regular veterinary care.

Colleen Paige, a pet lifestyle author and animal welfare advocate, founded the day in 2006. She also founded National Dog Day, National Cat Day and National Puppy Day. The day's message, often summed up as "don't shop, adopt," reflects its main aim: encouraging people to adopt animals from shelters and rescue groups rather than buy them.

National Pet Day is informal and has no official status. It falls the day after National Siblings Day and a few weeks after National Puppy Day, and many shelters use it to promote adoption, fostering and donations. Because it covers all pets, it is also a good prompt to check whether less common pets, such as reptiles or rabbits, are getting the specialized care they need.

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

How to mark National Pet Day

• Research the specific needs of your pet's species, such as heat and lighting for reptiles or space to roam for rabbits, and check that your setup meets them.
• Book an annual vet check-up and update vaccinations, parasite prevention and microchip details.
• Donate supplies to a shelter, including less obvious ones such as cleaning products, towels or small-animal bedding.
• If you're thinking about a new pet, look at shelters and rescues, which take in rabbits, guinea pigs and birds as well as dogs and cats.
• Make an emergency plan for your pets, including who would care for them and which supplies to grab.

National Pet Day dates