Paws & Reflect: Celebrating the Love and Legacy of National Pet Day
Honoring the Companions Who Bring Joy, Comfort, and Unconditional Love to Our Lives
From Adoption Awareness to Extra Treats
Despite April 11 being National Pet Day, many pet owners still honor their furry companions with great enthusiasm. Hold your hedge, snuggle with your bunny and give your cat a bit of feline affection. Besides that, you also have the benefit of having happiness with that animal. Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the last decade has revealed that pet ownership can lead to both physical and mental health advantages. Besides taking hearts, pets also aid in lowering cortisol, cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Background of National Pet Day
Colleen Paige, pet and family lifestyle expert and animal welfare advocate, created National Pet Day in 2006 to honor the joy that pets can bring into our lives. But she also wanted to raise awareness about the constant needs of so many pets of all types sitting in shelters waiting to be adopted. She urged individuals who desire purebred cats and dogs to reach out to rescue organizations rather than a breeder. “Don’t shop! Adopt!
” is the motto for the holidays.
In 1973, the Humane Society of the United States estimated that 13 million cats and dogs come into shelters annually. Some were strays, some were surrendered by owners who could no longer provide for them, some were taken in legal proceedings. Today, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that about 6.5 million companion animals come into shelters across the country. And 1.6 million cats and 1.6 million dogs get their furever homes.
Colleen’s vacation began in the U.S., but it eventually spread globally. Pet fanatics now celebrate the day in the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Guam, Scotland, and several other countries.
Celebrities have also joined the cause. Taylor Swift, Ellen De Generes, Ricky Gervais, Cee Lo Green, Jimmy Fallon, Willy Nelson, Kevin Bacon, Seth Myers, and Carrie Underwood, among others, have promoted National Pet Day. And social media has facilitated the spread of the celebration and the promotion of Colleen’s cause. During President Barack Obama’s time in office, he melted political hearts on both sides of the aisle with his tweeted photo of Bo, one of the two Portuguese water dogs who shared the White House with him. Bo was re-homed when he couldn’t get along with an older dog belonging to a family in Texas.
Timeline for National Pet Day
- 3500 B.C. Walking the Dog- People think the dog collar came from Mesopotamia. A wall painting shows a man with a dog on a leash wearing a collar.
- 900 B.C. Hello Kitty- Traders from Phoenicia bring the first house cats to Europe.
- 1866 Dogged Defender- Henry Bergh started the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York. He got the idea after he saw a carriage driver beating a horse that had fallen down in Russia three years before.
- 2017 One-Trick Pony- Maru, a cat from Japan, gets a record as the animal with the most views on YouTube. For 10 years, Maru has jumped into boxes for viewers.
Worldwide National Pet Day
| Country | Holiday | Occasion | Date |
| Japan | Cat Day | Japan honors its cat companions. | February 22 |
| Thailand | National Elephant Day | This region’s native elephants get special recognition on this day. | March 13 |
| Latvia | Zirgu Diena | Latvia pays tribute to Horses on this occasion. | January 17 |
| Italy | Hedgehog Day | Italy has its own Hedgehog Day, which is like Groundhog Day. | February 2 |
| Poland | Day of Help to Forest Animals | This day brings attention to forest animals and how the changing environment affects them. | February 11 |
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Traditions For National Pet Day
Pet owners shower their furry companions with extra love on National Pet Day. They go above and beyond to give their pets the attention and care they need (more than usual). They take their pets for walks or car rides, buy their favorite snacks, or get them new toys to enjoy. These are just a few ways people pamper their pets a bit more on this special day.
National Pet Day also gives kids a great chance to talk their parents into getting a pet. This leads to many families welcoming new members, either through shelter adoptions or buying purebreds. Everyone joins in the fun, with social media feeds full of elegant portraits or sweet, unplanned shots of pets.
Activities for National Pet Day
- Adopt a Pet
And don’t forget, you don’t have to confine yourself to dogs and cats. House rabbits can be litter trained. Reptiles don’t make any noise. Some birds will talk to you.
- Launch the Next Digital Diva
Persuade your sweetie pie kitty to model, pounce, primp, pout, or tickle the ivories. Publish the video on the kitty’s page. Cross fingers for viral levels.
- Coddle your Canine
What does your buddy like? A mallard tuggy toy? A good belly rub? Get on the floor and give that dog some attention.
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Why do we Love National Pet Day?
- We have a pet
In the United States, 67% of all households own a pet. We spend about $75 billion per year on pet products and care.
- Pets are family
A 2016 Harris survey indicated that 95% of pet owners indicate their pets are considered part of the family. This is up seven points from 2007.
- Pets are enjoyable
Only a pet will run after a ball for you, attack a laser dot, or bite carrots from your fingers. Get a kick out of seeing your hamster stuff its cheeks, your guinea pig shred a TP tube, or your ferret play in its hammock. Your guinea pig will likely pee in your lap- but what a cutie!
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