2025 Pet Holidays & Observances List for Animal Lovers

If you’ve ever wanted a reason to throw a party for your pooch, post a selfie with your sassy cat, or spend a day spoiling your scaly, feathered or furry family member, you’re in luck! We’ve curated the ultimate 2025 Pet Calendar to ensure you never miss a whisker-worthy or tail-wagging celebration.

PS: While marking these special dates, don’t forget to keep your pets covered with wholehearted Pet Insurance from dotsure.co.za!

January

Thyroid Awareness Month, National Train Your Dog Month, and Walk Your Pet Month set the tone for a healthy new year.

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Thyroid Awareness Month
    • Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
    • One Health Awareness Month
    • National Train Your Dog Month
    • Walk Your Pet Month
  • Important Dates:
    • 14 January: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
    • 24 January: Change a Pet’s Life Day

February

It’s all about dental health and responsible pet ownership this month.

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Pet Dental Health Month
    • Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
    • Responsible Pet Owners Month
  • Important Dates:
    • 20 February: Love Your Pet Day
    • 23 February: Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

March

Pet Poison Prevention Month is the perfect time to make your home pet safe.

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Pet Poison Prevention Month
  • Dates:
    • 13 March: K9 Veterans Day
    • 17 March: St. Patrick’s Day
    • 23 March: National Puppy Day
    • 30 March: Take a Walk in the Park Day

April

Celebrate National Pet Day (11 Apr) and bring attention to World Veterinary Day (26 Apr)!

  • Month-long Observances:
    • National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
    • Heartworm Awareness Month
    • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
    • Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
  • Dates:
    • 11 April: National Pet Day
    • 17–23 April: National Pet ID Week
    • 24 April: International Guide Dog Day
    • 26 April: World Veterinary Day
    • 30 April: Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

May

From arthritis to asthma and allergies, this month reminds us to care for our pets.

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Arthritis Awareness Month
    • Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
    • Service Dog Eye Examination Month
  • Dates:
    • 1–7 May: Be Kind to Animals Week
    • 3 May: Specially-Abled Pets Day
    • 4 May: Mayday for Mutts (First Sunday)
    • 11 May: Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
    • 13 May: Migratory Bird Day
    • 23 May: World Turtle Day

June

National Foster a Pet Month is a great chance to give animals a loving temporary home.

  • Month-long Observances:
    • National Foster a Pet Month
    • Adopt a Cat Month
    • National Microchipping Month
  • Dates:
    • 4 June: Hug Your Cat Day
    • 11 June: World Pet Memorial Day
    • 21 June: Take Your Dog to Work Day

July

We’re all for helping the shelters and adopting pets in July and all year round!

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Clear the Shelters Month
  • Dates:
    • 6 July: World Zoonoses Day (Raise awareness of diseases transmitted between humans and animals)
    • 10 July: Kitten Day
    • 18 July: Nelson Mandela Day (Dedicate your 67 minutes to help pets in need!)

August

Let the celebrations begin; it’s dotsure.co.za’s birthday month!

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Itchy Pet Awareness Month
    • National Immunization Month
  • Dates:
    • 8 August: International Cat Day
    • 14 August: World Lizard Day
    • 15 August: Check the Chip Day (Promote microchipping pets)
    • 16 August: dotsure.co.za’s Birthday!
    • 22 August: Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
    • 26 August: International Dog Day

September

September is Pet Insurance Awareness Month; it's time to cover your furry friends!

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Rabies Awareness Month
    • Pet Insurance Awareness Month
    • Responsible Dog Ownership Month
    • Animal Pain Awareness Month
  • Dates:
    • 12–18 September: Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week (3rd week)
    • 22–28 September: Deaf Dog Awareness Week
    • 28 September: World Rabies Day

October

Get your walking shoes ready for a week of adventures; it’s also excellent for your mental health.

PS: Don’t forget to say hi if a black cat crosses your path because it’s Black Cat Awareness Month!

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Black Cat Awareness Month
    • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • Dates:
    • 1–7 October: Walk Your Dog Week
    • 4 October: World Animal Day
    • 9 October: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
    • 13 October: Vet Tech Week
    • 31 October: Halloween

November

Our senior pets deserve all the love and cuddles!

  • Month-long Observances:
    • Adopt a Senior Pet Month
    • Pet Cancer Awareness Month
    • Senior Pet Health Month
  • Dates:
    • 3–9 November: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
    • 17 November: Take a Hike Day (With pets!)
    • 18–24 November: Antibiotics Awareness Week

December

Happy Howlidays! Enjoy the festive season with your pets.

  • Month-long Observances:
    • National Cat Lovers’ Month
  • Dates:
    • 9 December: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
    • 15 December: Cat Herders’ Day
    • 25 December: Christmas Day

Mark Your 2025 Pet Calendar Dates!

Ready to keep track of every pet holiday in 2025? Mark these important dates on your phone, diary or desk calendar and make it a year to remember with your fur babies!

And for everything else, there’s dotsure.co.za; South Africa’s #1 choice in Pet Insurance!*

 

*Voted South Africa's Best Pet Insurance 2023/2024 by The Star, Die Burger, Beeld and City Press.