National Pet Day is celebrated every year on the 11th of April. The day is dedicated to all pets around the world. It is a day to celebrate pets and acknowledge the significant role that they play in people’s lives. The day is also dedicated to raising awareness regarding various issues plaguing animals around the world and what can be done at the grass-root level to solve them. The day also strives to encourage people to contribute to the reduction of animals in shelters, by adopting pets and not buying them from animal breeders.
For most pet owners, National Pet Day may be observed every day. After all, we are all aware of the love and joy that animals bring into our lives, and we make it a point to be thankful to our pets every day. National Pet Day is the perfect day to embrace your pets and express the love and gratitude that you have towards them. For most people, a pet is the best friend they will ever have! After all, you won’t find someone more loyal to you than your pet, right?
History of National Pet Day
National Pet Day was instituted in 2006 by Colleen Paige, an animal welfare advocate to celebrate the joy that pets bring to people’s lives. She created the day to raise public awareness regarding animals housed in animal shelters, who are desperately waiting for homes, as part of her advocacy for pet adoption from animal shelters.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, nearly 6.5 million animals visit animal shelters in the USA each year. Over time, the number of animals entering shelters has considerably reduced. However, due to the low shelter capacity as well as lack of awareness, a considerable number of animals continue to remain in animal shelters and are sometimes euthanized due to a lack of resources to take care of them.
Colleen’s idea began in the United States, but it quickly spread around the world. Pet lovers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Spain, Guam, Scotland, and many other countries now commemorate this special day every year.
On this day, people are encouraged to adore their pets, spoil them to the fullest, adopt pets, and volunteer at local animal shelters. National Pet Day honours the unconditional affection that animals show to their owners every single day. It also encourages individuals to spend quality time with their cherished pets.
What can you do for animals this National Pet Day?
Here are a few things which you can do this National Pets Day to contribute to the welfare of animals in your area.
Adopt from Shelters, don’t shop
The cruelty in the animal breeding industry is very shocking. Although not all animal breeders are evil, it is recommended that one pays a visit to the facility where the dog or cat you want to bring home is being raised to ensure the animals are being treated well and are being cared for.
Also, instead of buying a pet, you could adopt one from an animal shelter. Many shelters are overflowing with animals that are desperately in need of a home. By adopting a pet from an animal shelter, you will be providing it with a nice and clean place to stay and will also be reducing the burden on animal shelters, which suffer from high operating costs and lack of sufficient funds to take care of the animals that are housed in their shelters.
Sterilisation and vaccination
Assist in the sterilisation and vaccination of cats and dogs in your neighbourhood. Pets in your neighbourhood will be happier, healthier, and friendlier if their population is controlled humanely.
Start a community water bowl project in your area
The most basic requirement for street animals, such as cats, dogs, and crows, is access to clean drinking water. Start a water-bowl project in your neighbourhood or near your workplace. Place water bowls for stray animals on street corners, as well as on terraces and balconies for birds. Ensure that these bowls are always filled with clean drinking water.
Picking up trash
Organise a ‘clean-a-thon’ in your neighbourhood, or on the local beach if you live close to the sea. Garbage, especially plastic, causes injury and even death to animals. So, by organising a clean-up drive in the area, you’ll be helping animals as well as the environment.
Spread the word
Use social media to support animal welfare. From helping to find a lost pet to spreading the word for adoptions or new animal welfare legislation within your networks, you can do so much to contribute to the welfare of animals in your area.
