National Pet Month–April–May 2023

When is National Pet Month?

National Pet Month celebrates the benefits companion animals bring to people and the other way around. National Pet Month is observed annually, during the month of April in the United Kingdom and in May in the United States.

It represents a registered charity that aims to bring together all charities working for animal welfare, pet-related business, youth movements, and pet lovers.

Find out more about about National Pet Week.

All About National Pet Month This Year

It’s expected for this year’s celebration to be better than ever as thousands of pet lovers are eager to express their gratitude for the benefits of owning a pet. It’s really easy to participate and become proactive by finding various events on social networks and on the NPM website.

The event becomes bigger and bigger each year because of the many dedicated individuals taking their time to carefully organize events for pet lovers. There’s always something new and creative. You can expect a lot of village pet shows, children and pets activities, group dog walks, or even open days at vet practices during this month.

You can even be one organizing an eventful charity filled with barks and smiles.

The Purpose of National Pet Month

National Pet Month is an annual celebration of the joy that pets bring to our lives. It’s a time to honor and recognize the impact they have on our day-to-day lives as companions, protectors, and friends.

National Pet Month was first celebrated in 1981 by veterinarian Dr. Ivan Kossak and has since been recognized in countries around the world.

National Pet Month missions include:

• Promoting responsible companion animal ownership
• Raise awareness about the mutual benefits of pets and their owners
• Increase awareness about the importance of pet care specialists
• Teach about the values necessity of assistance and working companion animals

Here are some ideas about how you can contribute to celebrate your pets and animals in general:

• Show your pet some extra love! Give them an extra treat or playtime and make sure they’re feeling spoiled.
• Visit your local animal shelter and donate supplies or take part in volunteer activities that help support their mission.
• Get involved in your local pet community by attending events or connecting with pet owners online.
• Educate yourself and others on responsible pet ownership, including proper nutrition and animal health care.
• Advocate for stronger laws against animal cruelty and support organizations that work to end it.

Event Ideas for National Pet Month

Organize a sponsored dog walk and donate the money to your favorite charity. Dog walks are a fantastic idea to bring together dog lovers where they will share their opinions and experiences with their furry friends. Be sure to check with the legal authorities and inform them about your plan!

Children are way more open to positive ideas and need proper educating in order to become reasonable adults. Educational events at local schools are a fantastic way to celebrate National Pet Month. The topics can be various – pet health, pet behavior, the difference between dog and cat breeds, you name it! You can ask some vets, pet rescues, or training specialists to visit and answer some questions about the event.

For a more intimate event at home with the family, you can watch pet-related movies, read books or just spend some time with your much-loved friend, furry or creepy-crawly!

What about holding a bake sale in aid of some charities? Spice up the event by baking themed cup-cakes and other baked products. Add some refreshments, plates, napkins and you are all set. Remember that people with allergies will be grateful if the ingredients inside the products are correctly labeled. You can even offer pet-friendly treats because most of the people will bring along their pets as well.

Quizzes and competitions are fun ways to raise funds while you are having a great time. Just make sure they are pet-themed because it’s National Pet Month after all. Pet shows and pet talent shows are another thing that comes to mind. This goes for dogs, cats, horses, birds, or a general pet show. The show doesn’t need to be so ‘official’ and can include funny challenges, for example “who has the waggiest tail of them all”?

The Best Idea To Celebrate National Pet Month

The best gift you can give yourself is to visit your local shelter and consider adopting a pet (or two). You will feel great, and will get a loyal companion for life!

No matter how you choose to observe National Pet Month, you’ll be helping to ensure that our pets are well taken care of and feel loved. Let’s celebrate National Pet Month together!

If you enjoyed this article, why not read our other blogs about animal observances that occur in May, such as National Purebred Dog Day.