Another year, another dolla (i.e. same old, same old).
JK. Let’s change things up this year, shall we?
In the climate where social media and marketing are #alltherage, it’s time to put these pet holidays to good use, am I right?! So, take a gander at Pet Marketing Unleashed's 2024 list of pet holidays (& US holidays). It’s all the same deets, just updated dates, so you can make sure that you're not only getting the right dates for your pet business marketing, but you're also learning how to strategically implement them into your content.
Because, again,... so many pet businesses default to sharing primarily cute pictures of pets and adding in the day's random holiday and we highly recommend NOT doing that!
It doesn't do anything for your audience, it doesn't set you apart, and it's just plain lazy as a content filler (let's be honest!). Social media and marketing can be a beautiful thing for your business with the right strategy, so after going through the holidays, consider reading our tips below on the best ways to integrate them into your marketing depending on your strategy, offerings, and brand!
So, first things first...The List of 2024 Pet Holidays & US Holidays.
Note: Any of these days/celebrations can change, so be sure to do a quick Google search before posting about them!
January Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Week & Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
Walk Your Pet Month
Weight Loss Awareness Month
National Train Your Dog Month
National CBD Month
Daily Pet Holidays
January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
January 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
January 5: National Bird Day
January 8: Bubble Bath Day
January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 18: Get To Know Your Customers Day
January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day
January 24: Change A Pet’s Life Day
Daily US Holidays
January 1: New Year's Day
January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 26: National Fun at Work Day
February Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
Pet Dental Health Month
Dog Training Education Month
National Cat Health Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month (AKA Beat the Heat Month)
February 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
February 18-24: National Justice for Animals Week
Daily Pet Holidays
February 3: National Golden Retriever Day
February 3: Annual Doggie Date Night
February 14: National Pet Theft Awareness Day in US
February 19: International Tug-of-War Day
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
February 22: Walking The Dog Day
February 23: National Dog Biscuit Day
February 27: World Spay Day (Last Tuesday in February)
Daily US Holidays
February 2: Groundhog Day
February 10: Chinese New Year
February 11: Super Bowl Sunday
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 19: President's Day
February 13: Mardi Gras
March Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
March 3-9: Professional Pet Sitters Week (observed the first full week of March)
March 17-23: National Animal Poison Prevention Week (observed the third full week of March)
Daily Pet Holidays
March 1: National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 1: Horse Protection Day
March 1: National Pig Day
March 2: Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Raise begins (First Saturday in March)
March 3: World Wildlife Day
March 13: K9 Veterans Day
March 14: UK Dog Theft Awareness Day
March 23: National Puppy Day
March 23: Cuddly Kitten Day
March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day
Daily US Holidays
March 1: Employee Appreciation Day
March 10: Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
April Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
Heartworm Awareness Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Canine Fitness Month (AKA Active Dog Month)
Active Dog Month
April 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week
April 1-7: National Raw Feeding Week
April 7-13: National Dog Bite Prevention Week (observed the second week of April)
April 14-20: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week (observed the second full week of April)
April 15-21: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week (observed the third week in April)
April 17-23: National Pet ID Week (observed annually for 7 days beginning on April 17th)
April 23-29: National Scoop the Poop Week
Daily Pet Holidays
April 4: World Stray Animals Day
April 4: World Rat Day
April 6: National Siamese Cat Day
April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
April 11: National Pet Day
April 11: Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
April 18: Pet Owners Day
April 18: Get to Know Your Customers Day
April 19: National Cat Lady Day
April 21: Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
April 23: National Scoop the Poop Week
April 24: World Day for Laboratory Animals
April 24: International Guide Dog Day (observed the last Wednesday in April)
April 27: Free Feral Cat Spay Day
April 26: Hairball Awareness Day (observed the last Friday in April)
April 27: National Little Pampered Dog Day
April 27: World Veterinary Day (observed the last Saturday in April)
April 28: National Pet Parents Day (observed the last Sunday in April)
April 30: Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
April 30: National Therapy Animal Day
April 30: National Tabby Day
Daily US Holidays
April 1: April Fool’s Day
April 9: Easter
April 10: National Siblings Day
April 15: Tax Day
April 22: Earth Day
April 22: Passover Begins
April 30: Passover ends
May Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
National Pet Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
National Foster Care Month
Chip Your Pet Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
May 5-11: Puppy Mill Action Week (observed the week before Mother's Day)
May 5-11: National Pet Week (observed the first full week in May)
May 5-11: American Humane Be Kind to Animals Week (observed the first full week of May)
May 6-12: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week
May 11-14: Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show
Daily Pet Holidays
May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day
May 4: Bird Day
May 5: Cinco de Meow Day
May 5: Mayday for Mutts (observed the first Sunday of May)
May 11: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (observed the second Saturday of May)
May 11: National Dog Mom Day (observed the second Saturday of May)
May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
May 21: World Dog Day (observed the third Saturday of May)
Daily US Holidays
May 1: May Day
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
May 12: Mother's Day
May 27: Memorial Day
June Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
National Adopt a Cat Month
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Microchipping Month
National Foster a Pet Month
June 2-8: Pet Appreciation Week (observed the first full week of June)
June 17-21: Take Your Pet To Work Week®
June 17-23: Animal Rights Awareness Week (observed the third week of June)
Daily Pet Holidays
June 4: Hug Your Cat Day
June 4: International Corgi Day
June 8: National Best Friends Day
June 11: World Pet Memorial Day (observed the second Tuesday in June)
June 17: Take Your Cat To Work Day
June 21: Dog Party Day
June 21: Take Your Dog To Work Day
June 24: Cat World Domination Day
June 29: World Day against the abandonment of domestic animals (held on the last Saturday in June)
Daily US Holidays
June 8: Best Friends Day
June 14: Flag Day
June 16: Father’s Day
June 19: Juneteenth
June 20: Summer Solstice
July Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
National Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
Independent Retailer Month
Daily Pet Holidays
July 1: National ID Your Pet Day
July 6: International Kissing Day
July 10: National Kitten Day
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 16: World Snake Day
July 18: Get To Know Your Customers Day
July 26: National Dog Photography Day
July 31: National Mutt Day
Daily US Holidays
July 4: Independence Day
July 28: National Parents Day
July 30: International Friendship Day
August Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
Rawgust (celebrates raw feeding for our pets)
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Back-To-School Month
August 4-10: International Assistance Dog Week (observed the first full week in August)
Daily Pet Holidays
August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
August 4: Assistance Dog Day
August 5: Work Like a Dog Day
August 6: Fresh Breath Day
August 8: National CBD Day
August 8: International Cat Day
August 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
August 10: National Lazy Day
August 15: National Check the Chip Day
August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day & International Black Cat Day
August 17: Clear the Shelters Day (observed the third Saturday of August)
August 17: International Homeless Animals’ Day (observed the third Saturday of August)
August 22: National Take Your Cat To The Vet Day
August 23: International Blind Dog Day
August 26: National Dog Day & World Dog Day
August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
August 30: National Holistic Pet Day
Daily US Holidays
August 17: International Non-Profit Day
September Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
Happy Healthy Cat Month
National Pet Insurance Month
Pet-Sitter Education Month
Animal Pain Awareness Month
National Service Dog Month
National Pet Memorial Month
September 16-22: Adopt a Less-Adoptable-Pet Week (observed the third week in September)
September 22-28: National Dog Week (observed the last full week in September)
September 22-28: National Deaf Pet Awareness Week (observed the last full week in September)
Daily Pet Holidays
September 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
September 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
September 8: National Pet Memorial Day (observed the second Sunday in September)
September 8: National Hug Your Hound Day (observed the second Sunday in September)
September 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
September 21: AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day (observed the third Saturday in September)
September 21: Puppy Mill Awareness Day (observed the third Saturday in September)
September 17: National Pet Bird Day
September 23: Dogs in Politics Day
September 26: Remember Me Thursday (brings attention to the millions of adoptable pets waiting in shelters and those who never got a second chance, observed the fourth Thursday in September)
September 28: World Rabies Day
Daily US Holidays
September 2: Labor Day
September 8: Grandparent's Day
September 11: Anniversary of September 11
September 25: National Daughter’s Day
September 28: National Sons Day
October Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Pitbull Awareness Month
National Women’s Small Business Month
October 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week (observed the first week of October)
October 6-12: Animal Welfare Week (observed the first full week of October)
October 20-26: National Veterinary Technician Week
Daily Pet Holidays
October 1: National Walk Your Dog Day
October 1: National Fire Pup Day
October 1: National Black Dog Day
October 4: World Animal Day
October 12: Pet Obesity Awareness Day
October 18: Get To Know Your Customers Day
October 19: National Fetch Day (observed the third Saturday of October)
October 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
October 21: National Reptile Awareness Day
October 27: National Black Cat Day
October 28: National Pitbull Awareness Day
October 29: National Cat Day
Daily US Holidays
October 2: Rosh Hashanah begins
September 4: Rosh Hashanah ends
October 11: Yom Kippur Begins
October 12: Yom Kippur Ends
October 14: Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day
October 31: Halloween
November Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
National Senior Pet Month
Adopt a Senior Pet Month
National Adoption Month
National Diabetes Month
November 3-9: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week (observed the first full week of November)
Daily Pet Holidays
November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
November 17: Take A Hike Day
November 25: National Adoption Day (observed the Monday before Thanksgiving)
Daily US Holidays
November 3: Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 11: Veterans Day
November 19: National Entrepreneurs Day (observed the third Tuesday of November)
November 28: Thanksgiving
November 29: Black Friday
November 30: Small Business Saturday
December Pet Holidays & US Holidays
Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations
National Cat Lovers’ Month
Daily Pet Holidays
December 2: National Mutt Day
December 9: Int'l Day of Veterinary Medicine
Daily US Holidays
December 2: Cyber Monday
December 21: Winter Solstice
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day
December 25: Hanukkah begins
December 26: Kwanzaa begins
December 31: New Year’s Eve
Okay, so now that you went through the list of 2024 pet holidays and US holidays, what do you do with them? How do you find which ones are right for your pet business and how to integrate them strategically into your marketing?
Here are 4 tips to get you started:
Don't use them all! Don’t even use most of them. Holidays can easily become overdone, and over-saturating your feed with too many holidays can just feel spammy (not authentic). Holidays shouldn’t just be a default excuse to post.
When picking which holidays to use, try to think about what ACTUALLY applies to your business. For example, if you're a dog walker/pet sitter and don't offer bathing services, you probably don't need to feature Bathing Day. Stick to the ones that REALLY bring up the conversation of what you do, who you serve, and what your message promotes.
Don't just announce the holiday and say “Happy Take a Hike Day!” Consider a true purpose or point to your post. Some options on how to promote engagement are to offer some trail suggestions in your area, ask people where their favorite place to walk is in your community, write about the benefits to your health when you walk, etc. Get involved with the holiday and make it have a point. Relate it back to one or more of the following - your expertise on a topic, your services or products, pure entertainment that matches your branding strategy, or sharing more about you and/or your team.
Be sure to always include a call-to-action (CTA). Make sure you're asking your audience to take some sort of action, whether it's to save your photo on social media, respond via a comment, share the post, book with you, head to your website, read your blog, share a photo, etc. No matter the size of the request, any CTA is great (and is more likely to lead to future bigger commitments, like booking or purchasing from you). However, make sure your CTA has a purpose, too! Don’t just pick an action for the heck of it. Be sure to vary it up and make your CTA be the clear next action depending on the content of the post.
There's no better time than the present to get started on planning your content!
We hope you enjoyed the 2024 List of Pet Holidays! Ready for more help?!
Here are some resources to help you with content and business planning for your pet business. Whether you’re a dog walker, pet sitter, dog trainer, pet photographer, or any other pet service business, these resources can help set you up to make more $$$ come 2024!:
If you’re in up-level and creation mode for your pet business as you head into 2024, check out our PMU Shop to explore how we can help you get there! From pet business email templates and welcome packet templates, to full website templates for pet businesses, to blogging and burnout education, we’ve got everything you need to boost your professionalism, confidence, time-savings, and client leads!
