Celebrate Shelter Pets Day

Celebrate Shelter Pets Day is observed every year on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving — a special day to shine a light on animals waiting in shelters for loving homes and to encourage adoption, compassion, and support for shelter pets. This celebration invites everyone — pet lovers, families, animal shelters and communities — to remember that shelter pets deserve a chance at happiness and belonging, and to make a difference by adopting, volunteering or spreading awareness.

History of Celebrate Shelter Pets Day

Celebrate Shelter Pets Day started in 2010 as a grassroots social-media campaign under the name “Shelter Pets Take Over Facebook Day.” It was created by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Maddie’s Fund, together with Ad Council, to draw attention to the many shelter dogs, cats and other animals in need of loving homes.

Over the years the initiative expanded far beyond social media. What began as a simple online campaign grew into a recognized national observance — inspiring shelters, volunteers and pet-lovers to take action, share adoption stories, support animal welfare and help reduce shelter overcrowding.

Why Celebrate Shelter Pets Day is important

Many animals end up in shelters through no fault of their own — often as strays, rescues, or pets whose owners cannot keep them. Celebrate Shelter Pets Day reminds society these animals deserve love, respect, and a second chance at a happy life. It encourages compassion and challenges misconceptions about shelter animals.

Recognizing shelter pets helps spotlight the vital work of shelters and rescue organizations. It raises awareness of the need for adoption, foster homes and community support — helping reduce overcrowding, preventing euthanasia, and giving more animals the possibility of a safe, caring home.

• It draws attention to pets in shelters longing for homes.
• It encourages adoption instead of buying pets from breeders or stores.
• It helps reduce overcrowding and improve adoption rates.
• It honors the work of shelter staff and volunteers.
• It promotes compassion, responsibility and kindness toward animals.

How to Celebrate Shelter Pets Day

Celebrate Shelter Pets Day can be meaningful even in small actions. If you’re able — consider visiting a local shelter, adopting or fostering a pet, or volunteering to help with care, walking, feeding, or socializing animals.

Even if you can’t adopt, you can still contribute by donating supplies (food, bedding, toys), sharing adoption stories on social media, or offering help at local shelters. Spreading awareness helps more people consider adoption and support animal welfare.

• Visit a local animal shelter — check out adoptable cats, dogs or other pets.
• Share shelter-pet photos or adoption stories on social media.
• Volunteer time — walk dogs, cuddle cats, clean, or help with shelter needs.
• Donate supplies or funds to shelters (food, beds, toys, blankets).
• Encourage friends or family to adopt, foster, or support animal welfare.