When is National Rescue Dog Day?
National Rescue Dog Day 2027 is on Thursday
Thursday, May 20, 2027
May 20 every year. That's in 215 days.
until National Rescue Dog Day begins, in your time zone
National Rescue Dog Day celebrates dogs adopted from shelters and rescues and encourages people to consider a rescue dog when they add a dog to the family. Children's author Lisa Wiehebrink founded it in 2018.
About National Rescue Dog Day
The day honors dogs that have been given a second chance through adoption and puts a spotlight on the many dogs still waiting in shelters. Its founder points out that rescue dogs can become devoted family pets and, with the right training, can also go on to work as assistance, therapy and emotional support dogs.
Lisa Wiehebrink, a children's book author from Southern California and executive director of the Anaheim nonprofit Tails That Teach, founded National Rescue Dog Day in 2018. Her inspiration was her own dog, Cooper, who had been found living in a vacant lot and was adopted as a puppy from a Los Angeles shelter in 2009. Tails That Teach donates picture books and classroom materials that teach young children to treat pets with kindness, and Wiehebrink started writing them after seeing a child handle a dog roughly at a park in 2012. The day's official website lists events and adoption tips but does not say why May 20 was chosen.
The day has no government status, but shelters and rescue groups use it to promote adoptable dogs. The need is large. According to the ASPCA, using data from Shelter Animals Count, about 2.8 million dogs entered US shelters and rescues in 2025 and about 2 million were adopted. The ASPCA also reports that dogs, especially large dogs, have been staying in shelters longer than they did five years ago, which leaves many shelters short of space.
Sources: National Rescue Dog Day: About, Orange Coast: Anaheim Nonprofit Tails That Teach Celebrates National Rescue Dog Day on May 20 (2021), ASPCA: Pet statistics (Shelter Animals Count data, 2025). How we check dates.
How to mark National Rescue Dog Day
- If you're ready for a dog, meet adoptable dogs at a local shelter or breed rescue, and ask about the ones that have waited longest.
- If you already have a rescue dog, share its adoption story and a photo to encourage friends to consider adopting.
- Offer to foster a dog for a local rescue, even for a few weeks, to free up shelter space.
- Read a book about gentle, safe ways to treat dogs with young children, and practice asking an owner before petting.
- Donate leashes, beds, food or money to a shelter, or volunteer to walk dogs there.
National Rescue Dog Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| 2026 | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, May 20, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, May 20, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, May 20, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, May 20, 2030 |
| 2031 | Tuesday, May 20, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Rescue Dog Day 2027?
National Rescue Dog Day 2027 is on Thursday, May 20, 2027. It falls on May 20 every year. In 2028, it is on Saturday, May 20, 2028.
Who founded National Rescue Dog Day?
Lisa Wiehebrink, a children's book author and executive director of the nonprofit Tails That Teach, founded it in 2018. She was inspired by her rescue dog Cooper, adopted from a Los Angeles shelter in 2009.
How is National Rescue Dog Day different from National Dog Day?
National Rescue Dog Day on May 20 focuses on adopted dogs and dogs waiting in shelters. National Dog Day on August 26 celebrates all dogs, though it also encourages adoption.
Is National Rescue Dog Day a public holiday?
No. National Rescue Dog Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.