Unique & Bizarre Pet Observances: A Year‑Long Guide

It's only normal for me to be attracted to the unique and bizarre so, by natural selection, I've chosen the "List of Bizarre and Unique Pet Holidays" for my next blog (along with added bonus animal holidays I thought were informative and interesting).

Let's begin by singing these following lines to the tune of Neil Sedaka's Calendar Girl.

"January - Adopt-a-Rescued-Bird Month.

February - Responsible Pet Owners Month.

March - Dolphin Awareness Month.

April - National Frog Month.

I love, I love, I love, I love my calendar pet

Each and every day of the year!"

Okay, okay, I know Dolphins are not exactly pets, but they're still cute!

Pet and animal lovers alike enjoy celebrating their pets, so why not have special days set aside to do just that throughout the year by day, month, and week. (Note that the following dates may vary slightly from year to year.)

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January

January is not only "Adopt a Rescued Bird Month" but also "National Train Your Dog Month" and "National Walk Your Pet Month."

JAN 02: National Pet Travel Safety Day

JAN 14: Get your pet's spiffiest outfit ready for National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

JAN 21: Y'all can go nuts for Squirrel Appreciation Day

JAN 22: Be prepared to answer your cat's purrfect questions on National Answer Your Cat's Question Day! Because everyday is "URcatday!"

JAN 29: The Seeing Eye Guide Dog Birthday

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February

February is "Responsible Pet Owners Month" as well as "National Prevent a Litter Month" (Humane Society) and "Pet Dental Health Month."

Valentines Week marks Have a Heart for Chained Dogs week, a time when we all should care for those mistreated canines chained to our hearts.

FEB 01: Serpent's Day

FEB 01: Champion Crab Races Day On your mark, get set, go!

FEB 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day

FEB 20: Love Your Pet Day

FEB 22: Put on your favorite walking shoes for Walking the Dog Day

FEB 23: National Dog Biscuit Day

FEB 23: But, uh oh, the same day marks World Spay Day - Ouch!

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March

I have a friend who really loves her pet sitting job, so this one's for you "Sue," the 1st week of March is Professional Pet Sitter's Week!

MAR 01: Oink! Oink! The first day of March observes National Pig Day

MAR 01: But let's not forget our equestrian friends because the same day is National Horse Protection Day.

MAR 13: We'd really be in trouble "If Pets Had Thumbs Day." (Monkey owners, no need to comment!)

MAR 13: This same day we honor the brave dogs who serve because it's K9 Veterans Day. Thanks to all the K9 vets!

MAR 14: What a beautiful day it is on the 14th - it's Learn About Butterflies Day!

MAR 15: Buzzard's Day

MAR 16: Remember the big Pet food Recall of 2007 anniversary? The FDA discovered the tainted food on March 15 but it is observed on the 16th.

"Pet Poison Prevention Week" is the 3rd week in March

MAR 18: Sparky the Fire Dog's Birthday - happy birthday Sparky!

MAR 23: Everyone loves the 23rd - it's National Puppy Day!

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April

April is an awareness month. This is "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month" and "National Pet First Aid Awareness Month." But don't ignore "National Heartworm Awareness Month" for a healthy pet because it is also "National Pet Month."

APR 01 - 07: The first week of April is Be Kind to Spiders Week. I'm sure all my readers will comply.

Also, the first week of the month is International Pooper Scooper Week so scoop up that poop because your dogs paw print can affect the environment!

APR 02: National Ferret Day

The 2nd week of April marks "National Animal Control Appreciation Week."

APR 10: It's ASPCA Day - Humane Organization's Birthday!

APR 11: The 11th marks National Pet Day while the 3rd week in April is "National Pet ID Week."

APR 16: Ribbit... Ribbit ... Save the Frogs Day

APR 18: Pet Owners Independence Day

APR 19: National Animal Cracker Day - I just luv those animal crackers!

APR 25: Clear your throat for National Hairball Awareness Day

APR 26: National Kids & Pets Day!

The last Saturday in April closes the month with "World Veterinary Day."

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May

The first week of May is "National Pet Week." This week is also "Be Kind to Animals Week" plus "Puppy Mill Action Week!"

MAY 03: National Disabled Pets Day

MAY 04: Respect for Chickens Day

MAY 19: Get your frog in shape for Frog Jumping Jubilee Day

MAY 23: World Turtle Day

"Animal Disaster Preparedness Day" lands in the 2nd Saturday in May while the 3rd week lands "National Dog Bite Prevention Week."

MAY 28: And check out when the Slugs Return to Capistrano Day on the 28th.

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June

The entire month of June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. So get out and adopt a feline friend!

JUN 02: Yell, "Fudge!" at the Cobras in North America Day.

JUN 04: Hug Your Cat Day

JUN 12: Remember your passed pets on June 12th, "Pet Memorial Day."

JUN 20: Take Your Dog to Work Day

Carpenter Ant Awareness Week is from June 20th through the 26th

JUN 21: Cuckoo Warning Day

Whoops, almost forgot "Donald Duck Day" on June 9th. Walt Disney would've never forgiven me!

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July

JUL 12: Cow Appreciation Day! Got milk? I guess it depends upon how you're celebrating them!

JUL 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day

JUL 31: Mutt Day

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August

AUG 01: DOGust is upon us as the Universal Birthday of Rescued Dogs is celebrated on August 1st!

The first full week of August celebrates International Assistance Dog Week.

AUG 05: Work Like a Dog Day

AUG 08: World Cat Day

AUG 10: Spoil Your Dog Day

AUG 20: Give a homeless animal a home on National Homeless Animals Day.

"Pet Fashion Week" is the last week of August.

AUG 26: National Dog Day

AUG 30: National Holistic Pet Day

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September

This is National Pet Insurance Month.

SEP 02: National Pet Memorial Day

SEP 04: National Wildlife Day

SEP 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day

SEP 23: Dogs in Politics Day (also known as Checkers Day).

SEP 28: World Rabies Day

International Rabbit Day hops in on the 4th Sunday of September.

The last week of September marks "National Dog Week."

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October

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and "National Animal Safety and Protection Month." Also "National Animal Pet Wellness Month" is throughout October.

OCT 02: Down on the farm on the 2nd we celebrate World Farm Animal Day.

"National Pet Obesity Awareness Day" is the 2nd Wednesday in October.

OCT 16: National Feral Cat Day

OCT 28: Plush Animal Lovers Day (My dog loves celebrating this holiday!)

OCT 29: National Cat Day closes the month on the 29th.

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November

The entire month of November is Senior Pet Month as well as Pet Cancer Awareness Month and "Pet Diabetes Awareness Month."

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is the 1st full week of November.

NOV 17: National Black Cat Day

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December

DEC 02: National Mutt Day so love your mutt on the 2nd.

DEC 04: World Wildlife Conservation Day

DEC 15: Cat Herding Day is the 15th so visit the Joy of Cat Herding Blog and get some expert advice for solving cat behavior problems.

DEC 27: Visit the Zoo Day closes the year of holidays on the 27th!

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Most of the days celebrating pets and animals have been created to increase awareness and promote health and welfare of animals (while others are just for fun!)

If you want to get involved or volunteer, check with your local pet shelters, animal hospitals, rescue groups, etc. You'll be amazed to discover how many organizations observe these pet holidays and host special events! So get out there and enjoy some special days with your family and your pet!

By Tom Matteo