12 National Animal Holidays Through the Year

Feb. 27: International Polar Bear Day

It’s the coldest time of the year, so while you’re cursing the snow that’s making you late for work, take a moment to remember the animals that love the cold and could use a little more of it. Everyone loves polar bears because they’re cute, majestic, ferocious and unique all at once. So it’s no wonder they’ve become the most prominent symbol for the threat of global warming, which is destroying polar bears’ habitat and threatening to wipe out the species. While you’re celebrating these imperiled animals on their national holiday, consider what you can do to help save them.

March 1: National Pig Day

For 40 years, America has taken March 1 to pay special respect to an often underestimated and underappreciated animal: the pig. Often maligned as merely dirty and greedy slobs, pigs are among the animal kingdom’s most intelligent and charismatic species. That’s why in 1972, sisters Mary Lynne Rave and Ellen Stanley started National Pig Day “to accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man's most intellectual and domesticated animals.” Whether you’re playing with a pet pot-bellied pig or knocking back a BLT, take March 1 to appreciate everything these terrific, radiant, humble animals have to offer.

April 2: National Ferret Day

April 2 is National Ferret Day in the US. If you’re in the UK, you’ll have to wait for May 5. But if you really like ferrets (and we do), you can always chose to be international about it and celebrate them twice! Some people don’t take to ferrets immediately because of their unusual scent and tendency to squeeze into tight, hard-to-reach places if not looked after carefully. But passionate ferret owners all over the world love their animals’ unique looks and personalities. If you want to adopt, though, don’t go to a pet store. Just like with more conventional pets, there are ferret rescues all around the country caring for adorable ferrets who need loving homes.

May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day

Formerly known as National Disabled Pets Day, May 3 has been designated as the day to recognize and appreciate pets with any disabilities that may impair them physically, but that do nothing to diminish their capacity for love. Shelters generally have greater difficulty adopting out pets with physical disabilities or special needs, but anyone who’s owned a three-legged cat, or a deaf or blind dog, or any other pet with any other disability will tell you that these animals only love their owners more for giving them homes and taking special care of them. If you’ve been considering adopting a pet, May 3 is the day to visit a shelter and save the life of a specially-abled animal.

June 21: Take Your Dog to Work Day

One of the great joys of dog ownership is the way your dog greets you excitedly and cheers you up when you get home from a long day at the office. Of course, the reason you’re both so psyched to see each other is because you’ve been apart for eight hours or more. It’s a drag. That's why Take Your Dog to Work Day was created, to cut you a break if you can manage to get your boss on board. Each year, the holiday occurs on a lazy Friday in summer to capitalize on what should already be a casual atmosphere at the workplace. Simply show the boss an irresistible photo of your best pal and make your case. Just don’t flash your own puppy-dog eyes. That’s not professional.

July 15: I Love Horses Day

When you think of typical horse lovers, the first things that come to mind are probably either pre-teen girls or cowboys. But that’s not really fair. Horses are majestic and amazing, and everyone can love them openly, even grown-ups and city slickers. I Love Horses Day on July 15 is the holiday dedicated to just that idea. Celebrate however you like. You can go to a nearby horse rescue and volunteer, or even just feed the horses some apples. Or just stay home and get crazy with Lisa Frank stickers and “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.”

Aug. 18: International Homeless Animals Day

Pet overpopulation is a huge, ongoing problem. There are millions of homeless pets in America, and most of them will be put down before they can find loving homes. Aug. 18 has been named International Homeless Animals Day to spread awareness about this heartbreaking situation. You can do your part to help on this day or any other day. The No. 1 most important thing you can do is to spay and neuter your pets. If you’re considering adopting a pet, instead of buying from a breeder or pet store, visit a shelter and choose to give a home to a homeless animal who needs love. If you can’t adopt a pet full-time, you can foster a pet until a suitable forever home is found. And even if you can't have animals in your home, you can always volunteer in any number of ways at your local shelter, to let the homeless animals know that someone loves them and cares about them.

Sept. 23: Fish Amnesty Day

There are more pet fish in America than any other animal, but they don’t receive the respect they deserve, according to PETA. The animal-rights organization created Fish Amnesty Day in 1997 to bring attention to the plight of fish. Kept in aquariums and by nature not petted or played with, pet fish are often relegated to little more than living decorations. But Fish Amnesty Day is the day to remember that our pet fish are animals who have rights and deserve the same respect as any other animal. Fish Amnesty Day also shines a spotlight on removing fish from the human diet, discouraging well-intentioned pescetarians, i.e. near-vegetarians who still eat fish. So on Sept. 23, put down the tuna salad and enjoy a mixed-greens salad instead.

Oct. 16: National Feral Cat Day

Feral cats are a specific subset of homeless cats. They are distinguished from stray cats in that while stray cats are pet cats that become homeless, feral cats are the offspring or descendants of domesticated cats who are born in the wild. Feral Cat Day was created by the Alley Cat Allies organization to bring attention to the existence of feral cats, and to the humane, no-kill method to deal with them, specifically the three-step process of trap-neuter-return. That’s trap, meaning safe and humane capture; neuter, meaning fixing the cats so they can’t perpetuate the homeless-cat problem; and return, because sadly, feral cats aren’t acclimated to domestic living and generally cannot be adopted.

Nov. 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day

You know you’ve thought about doing it. When you’re at the supermarket, picking up another bag of commercial pet food, you look at the ingredients list and feel in your heart that feeding your pet kibble based on corn and filler is more convenient for you than it is natural and healthy for your furry friend. For years, you’ve heard of pet owners preparing fresh pet meals that actually have something to do with a natural feline or canine diet. If you’re ready to make the leap, Nov. 1 -- National Cook for Your Pets Day -- is the perfect time to do it. Not sure where to start? Check out our guides to the foods that are OK for dogs and cats to eat.