When is National Pet Month?
National Pet Month 2027
Sat, May 1, 2027 – Mon, May 31, 2027
The whole of May in the United States (the UK campaign of the same name runs through April and into early May). That's in 196 days.
until National Pet Month begins, in your time zone
National Pet Month celebrates what pets add to people's lives and promotes responsible pet ownership, from choosing the right animal to lifelong care. In the US it is marked in May; a separate UK campaign runs through April and into early May.
About National Pet Month
The month is a broad celebration of companion animals and of the work involved in caring for them well. Shelters, veterinary clinics, libraries, schools and pet businesses use it to share advice on health care, training and adoption, and to remind people that taking on a pet is a commitment for the animal's whole life.
In the United States, National Pet Month is observed in May, but no founding organization or start year is documented, and it has no federal recognition. It overlaps with National Pet Week, which the American Veterinary Medical Association and its auxiliary have sponsored in early May since 1981; a 2007 House resolution supporting National Pet Week described the 2007 week as its 26th anniversary. A university library article from 2018 described the US May observance as an offshoot of the older British campaign.
The UK version is better documented. It is run as a UK-wide campaign during April and early May, coordinated by the trade bodies UK Pet Food and the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH), and it once operated as a registered charity. It brings together animal welfare charities, veterinary and other professional bodies, pet businesses, educators and community groups. Its stated aims are to promote responsible ownership, raise awareness of the mutual benefits of living with pets, highlight the role of pet care professionals and working companion animals, and encourage fundraising for pet welfare charities. Its messages are built around the five animal welfare needs set out in UK law: a suitable environment, a suitable diet, the ability to behave normally, appropriate company, and protection from pain, injury and disease.
Sources: National Pet Month (UK): About us, National Pet Month (UK) website, 2012 (archived), Congress.gov: H.Con.Res.142 (110th Congress), National Pet Week, Bellevue University Library: National Pet Month (2018). How we check dates.
How to mark National Pet Month
- Book any overdue vet check-up, vaccinations or dental care, and confirm that your pet's microchip and ID tag details are current.
- If you're thinking about getting a pet, research the time, space and costs involved, and start your search at a local shelter or rescue.
- Review your pet's diet, exercise and enrichment with your vet, and add a new puzzle feeder, walk route or training game.
- Make an emergency plan for your pets, including who would care for them and a kit with food, medication and records.
- Donate food, supplies or time to an animal shelter or pet food bank in your area.
National Pet Month dates
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thu, May 1 – Sat, May 31 |
| 2026 | Fri, May 1 – Sun, May 31 |
| 2027 | Sat, May 1 – Mon, May 31 |
| 2028 | Mon, May 1 – Wed, May 31 |
| 2029 | Tue, May 1 – Thu, May 31 |
| 2030 | Wed, May 1 – Fri, May 31 |
| 2031 | Thu, May 1 – Sat, May 31 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Pet Month 2027?
National Pet Month 2027 is Sat, May 1, 2027 – Mon, May 31, 2027. It falls on the whole of May in the United States (the UK campaign of the same name runs through April and into early May). In 2028, it is on Monday, May 1, 2028.
Is National Pet Month in April or May?
Both, depending on the country. In the US it is observed in May, while the UK campaign runs through April and into early May.
What is the difference between National Pet Month and National Pet Week?
National Pet Week is a shorter US observance in early May sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and its auxiliary since 1981. National Pet Month covers the whole of May in the US.
Who runs National Pet Month in the UK?
The UK campaign is coordinated by UK Pet Food and the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH), working with animal welfare charities, professional bodies and pet businesses.
Is National Pet Month a public holiday?
No. National Pet Month is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.