World Dog Day celebrates our loyal canine companions and raises awareness about important issues affecting dogs, such as adoption, animal cruelty, and proper care. This day is dedicated to celebrating dogs while raising awareness of the plight of shelter animals, unethical breeding practices worldwide, and the prevalence of animal abuse and neglect. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s World Dog Day?

👉 Official Name: World Dog Day
💚 Cause: Celebrate dogs and advocate for their welfare
📅 Next Date: TBC
🌐 Official Website: https://www.vanderpumpdogs.org/world-dog-day
🐦 Hashtag: #WorldDogDay #AdoptDontShop

Keep on reading to find out all the important information about World Dog Day at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About World Dog Day at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: World Dog Day highlights the importance of adopting dogs, preventing animal cruelty, and ensuring proper care for all canines. With over 12 million dogs living in shelters and up to 143 million living on the streets, this day promotes adoption over buying pets. Furthermore, the event raises awareness about the importance of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.

2️⃣ Why it is important: Globally, at least one animal experiences abuse every 60 seconds, while roughly 10 million animals in the US die as a result of abuse or cruelty each year, including dogs. Moreover, in the US alone, more than 3 million dogs enter shelters each year, and almost 400,000 are euthanized in the US alone. By celebrating dogs and encouraging adoptions, this day helps reduce the number of homeless dogs and promotes animal rights across the globe. 

3️⃣ How you can get involved: You can support World Dog Day’s mission by adopting a shelter dog and supporting local shelters and animal rights organizations by donating or volunteering:

1. Adopt a dog: If you’re looking for a furry friend, consider adopting from your local animal shelter or rescue organization.
2. Donate to animal shelters: Shelters often need financial support and supplies like food, toys, and blankets. Donating to your local shelter can make a big difference in a dog’s life.
3. Volunteer: Many shelters rely on volunteers for tasks like walking dogs, feeding, and providing socialization. Volunteering your time helps give dogs the attention they need while waiting for a forever home.

Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for World Dog Day:

• Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for Dogs in Need 
• Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for Animals
• Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for Ending Animal Cruelty
• Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for Animal Rescue 

A Brief History of World Dog Day

When was this event established: World Dog Day was founded in 2016 by The Vanderpump Dog Foundation in West Hollywood, California to celebrate dogs and promote animal welfare, with a special emphasis on adoption.

How has it developed since then: World Dog Day is part of a broader “Adopt, Don’t Shop” movement, which encourages people to adopt pets from shelters instead of purchasing from breeders or pet stores. This movement has had a significant impact; for example, in the US, the number of animals euthanized in shelters has dropped by almost 24% since 2011, and roughly 109,000 more dogs were adopted in 2023 than in 2022. As awareness around unethical breeding practices like puppy mills has grown, demand for commercially bred dogs has decreased, further promoting animal welfare. World Dog Day amplifies this message, urging people to save lives by adopting dogs in need and helping to shut down harmful puppy mills through reduced demand.

3 Interesting Facts About World Dog Day

1. Celebrity Involvement: Celebrities such as Lisa Vanderpump and Lance Bass actively promote World Dog Day, using their platforms to advocate for the rescue and humane treatment of dogs worldwide.
2. International Impact: The Vanderpump Dog Foundation works internationally to end dog abuse, rescuing and rehabilitating dogs in need as well as raising awareness of dog abuse around the world. For example, the foundation’s China Programs focus on rescuing dogs from the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, while actively raising awareness to end the event.
3. Like-Minded Events: World Dog Day is one of many awareness days dedicated to promoting dog welfare globally. For example, National Rescue Dog Day (May 20), highlights the importance of adopting rescue dogs, National Dog Day (August 26), promotes adoption and celebrates all breeds, and International Homeless Animals Day (the third Saturday in August), focuses on ending pet overpopulation through adoption and spay/neuter initiatives. 

Upcoming Dates of World Dog Day

World Dog Day is observed every year in May.

Never Miss an Awareness Event Again

Sources

• The Vanderpump Dog Foundation: World Dog Day
• MARS: Pet Homelessness
• USA Today: Animal Abuse Statistics
• ASPCA: Pet Statistics
• ASPCA: Adoptable Dogs at Your Local Shelter
• ASPCA: Find a Shelter
• ASPCA: Volunteer
• The Vanderpump Dog Foundation: Home
• Last Chance for Animals: Adopt Don’t Shop
• Shelter Animals Count: Adoption Rates
• PAWS: Puppy Mills
• Let Love Live: Puppy Mill Awareness Month
• The Vanderpump Dog Foundation: China Programs
• National Rescue Dog Day: Home
• National Dog Day: Home
• International Homeless Animals Day: Home