National Pet Day is observed every year on April 11, with a purpose that goes beyond simply appreciating the animals we share our homes with. Founded in 2006 by Colleen Paige, a U.S.-based pet lifestyle expert and animal welfare advocate, the day was built around two equally important ideas. The first is celebrating the unconditional love and companionship pets provide. The second is drawing attention to the plight of homeless animals still waiting for a permanent home.
ℹ️ Paige, who also created National Dog Day and National Cat Day, wanted the occasion to feel as much like a call to action as a celebration.
According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year, of which roughly 920,000 are euthanized. These are the numbers Paige wanted people to sit with and act on. The day encourages adoption as a first choice, while also recognizing that pets genuinely improve our wellbeing, from reducing stress and lowering blood pressure to simply making daily life feel a little fuller.
In the years since its founding, National Pet Day has grown from a small grassroots initiative into a globally recognized observance, now celebrated in more than ten countries including the UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Australia. Major animal welfare organizations, pet brands, and celebrities now participate, and the day consistently trends on social media each April. Among those who have promoted it are Taylor Swift, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, and Carrie Underwood, among others.
Interesting Facts About Pets
Pets have been sharing homes with humans for thousands of years. These facts highlight just how surprising life with pets can be.
- About 70% of U.S. households include at least one pet, making pets more common than children in American homes
- Dogs can learn up to 250 words and gestures, roughly comparable to a two-year-old child
- Cats spend around 70% of their lives sleeping, which translates to about 13–16 hours a day
- Fish are the third most common pet in the U.S., after dogs and cats
- Rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals are among the fastest-growing pet categories, especially in apartments and cities
- Pets often synchronize their sleep and activity patterns with the humans they live with
Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
Honoring therapy dogs and the comfort they bring to those who need it most.
National Cheese Fondue Day
Melted cheese, good company, and a long fork — a perfect evening.
National Clean Up Your Pantry Day
Find things you forgot you had — and probably some things you wish you hadn’t.
National Poutine Day
Canada’s greatest contribution to comfort food — fries, gravy, cheese curds.
