National Pet Day

National Pet Day History

National Pet Day is dedicated to highlighting the critical role pets play in our lives, extending beyond mere companionship to include emotional support and integral familial relationships. This day also encourages pet adoption from shelters, providing homes to pets that might otherwise not have one, and bringing awareness about the types and amounts of abuse inflicted on pets. Additionally, it emphasizes the benefits conferred by pets on human health and well-being, citing numerous studies which demonstrate these positive influences.

National Pet Day was established by Colleen Paige, an Animal Welfare Advocate and Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, in 2006 to bring attention to the joy pets bring and the unhappy fate of many pets in shelters. In particular, in Canada where approximately 6.4 million dogs and cats inhabit households, National Pet Day is a rallying call to the nation's pet owners to prioritize responsible pet ownership, taking into account healthcare, appropriate nutrition, exercise, and emotional well-being of their pets. Moreover, fostering a pet-friendly environment, endorsing pet-friendly policies in workplaces or facilitating the adoption of shelter pets are other focuses of the observance among Canadians.

National Pet Day sees pet owners celebrating the bond they share with their pets, often with special treats, extended playtimes, or generally spoiling their pets with extra care and love. Events such as pet parades and pet-friendly fairs are organized across different regions to celebrate the day. Also, many pet owners opt to donate or volunteer at local shelters as part of the observance. National Pet Day is commonly observed on April 11th.

Facts about National Pet Day

• Having a pet in the home can reduce a child's likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33 percent.
• Dogs have almost 220 million smell-detecting cells, compared to the mere 5 million in humans.
• The average pet fish has a 3-second memory, while goldfishes can remember things up to a few months.
• A study by the Canadian Animal Health Institute reported that more than half of Canadian households own pets, with 7.5 million households owning at least one dog, and 8.8 million owning at least one cat. This further amplifies the significance of National Pet Day in Canada.
• In Canada, over 500,000 dogs and cats are lost every year. This day highlights the importance of getting pets microchipped for safety.

In the News and Trending in Canada for National Pet Day

Top things to do in Canada for National Pet Day

• Spend time with your pet. Play with them, get them a gift, show them you love them.
• Visit pet-friendly parks: Canada is home to several pet-friendly parks where pet owners can take their pets for walks and games. Some of these parks include the Conroy Pit in Ottawa and Cherry Beach in Toronto.
• Find local Vets that offer free check-ups: Some veterinarians and pet clinics offer free check-ups or discounted services.