"Every dog has its day!"
It seems true because today is International Dog Day. On August 26 every year, dogs are celebrated worldwide irrespective of their breed, ownership, and disabilities.
Unlike any other pet celebration, International Dog Day celebrates the ownership of dogs. It highlights the importance of adopting dogs from rescue shelters.
Make your dog memorable by taking them out to their favorite place and diner. If you can, adopt a dog from the shelter or consider volunteering at one in your area.
It doesn't take much to celebrate dog's day –You need not throw an expensive party but help other pets live a better life.
Let's talk more about why International Dog Day started and how you can celebrate it.
What is the significance of International Dog Day?
The first International dog day was celebrated on August 26, 2004. The day was mainly chosen because Paige and her family adopted their first dog, 'Sheltie,' when he was just ten years old.
The International Dog Day was started in 2004 by Colleen Paige, an animal rescue advocate and conservationist, to highlight the worsening situations of dogs worldwide.
Since then, the day has been observed with a lot of community work for rescued animals and the adoption of rescued dogs. Especially in the US, the day is marked as National Dog Day.
This event has many significances including:
- Acknowledging dogs that need to be rescued
- Recognizing dogs that bring us comfort, protect us, and save lives
- Discouraging people from buying dogs from pet stores and pet farm that practices unethical breeding
- Encouraging the adoption of dogs from local shelters or rescue centers
- Rescuing dogs from homelessness and abuse
Rescuing a dog from a center means you'll save one dog from getting euthanized.
Every year, millions of dogs that were abandoned by their owners are euthanized, and many more millions land up in shelters.
If every person decides to adopt a dog, there will be no more dogs that need to be rescued!
But, we all know this is too good to be true. Hence, let's mark this day by making the dog's life better.
Fun ideas for National Dog Day
From indulging with your canine companion to helping in the local rescue center, there are many ways you can make dogs happy on this day.
Remember, the day is all about dogs. Let's make time for it by taking a day off from work.
1. Adopt a dog from your local shelter
Start this day by adopting a new dog.
If you already have one, you can afford to take one more. If you don't have a dog yet, you can take a rescued dog to your home!
Be sure to check out local rescue shelters. You might be surprised by the wide variety of dogs available for adoption -pure breed, mixed breed, young or old dogs, and those with disabilities.
By adopting a dog, you'll save one from being sentenced to death.
Likewise, you can ask your relative, friends, or acquaintances to adopt a dog from their local shelters too.
Alternatively, you can refer to PetFinder.com and PetCoLove to find dogs available for adoption.
2. Volunteer at your local shelter
This is the least you can do for rescued dogs in your area.
Take up volunteering at local shelters by doing the daily chores like feeding the dog, playing with them, indulging in therapies, etc.
Volunteers often walk or play with dogs, clean cages, or assist with any other task the shelter might need help with.
Sign up with the local shelters as volunteers, so you can visit them regularly, help in rescuing dogs, and adjusting them in local shelters.
You can also ask your relatives or friends to volunteer along with you.
3. Donate to animal welfare organizations
How do you think local rescue centers and animal welfare organizations work? It is entirely through donations from people like us.
By donating a small amount, you can help to rescue and rehabilitate dogs. A shelter is always in need of money to buy vaccines, blankets, food, toys, and other expenses for dogs. They would need money to conduct rescue and searches.
It is also a great alternative to volunteering if you can't take out time to visit local shelters.
If you are looking for animal welfare organizations to donate money, here is the list.
When donating to animal welfare or local shelters, it does not always have to be money. You can also donate dog food, dog accessories, blankets, and toys to these shelters.
4. Take your dog out
Celebrate this day by taking your dog out for a fun time.
There are a great many activities that you can indulge in with your furry friend, such as going to a park, taking a hike, a walk in the woods, a walk to the mall, a day trip in your car, and so on.
Dogs love to go to new places with their owners because it is the way they can be closer to you and have a healthy time together.
Visiting their friends or swimming together in the lake can also be a fun activity to indulge in with them.
If your dog loves spending a relaxing time indoors, you can take a day off and your favorite movies with your favorite snacks.
5. Exercise and play with them
Support your dog's physical and mental well-being by engaging in exercises, physical activities, and play-time.
Depending on their age and physical abilities, you can take them for a run, walk, hike, swimming, or throwing a frisbee.
Dogs love to get dirty, so be prepared to get dirty yourself.
Make this a daily routine by spending half an hour or an hour with them playing and exercising together.
6. Protect your dog's safety
This day also highlights the fact about dog's safety. While many dogs are abandoned, few dogs may get lost or lose their way back home.
There are many instances when a dog gets lost during a hike in the woods while picnicking or visiting a new place.
Make sure you're able to locate them by installing a GPS tracker. With this gadget, you'll know where your furry friend is before you get in harm's way.
Additionally, consider putting a name tag in their belt with your details (name, address, and phone number) if someone finds your lost dog.
7. Spoil them with a gift
This is the time of the year when you may gift your dog a new belt, a toy, blanket, or a food bowl.
Dogs love to be spoiled, and you can spoil them by gifting them something new to hold on to.
Maybe it is time to change their old food bowl or blanket. Why not throw away this old stuff and bring them a new food bowl and blanket? They will love to hold onto this.
Dogs also love toys because they spend a significant time playing with them every day. Consider getting them a bark box, Hide-A-Squirrel Toy, Scrunch Bunch Bunny, Balls, etc.
To Sum It Up
This particular day focuses on many homeless dogs that are waiting for new homes and families. Millions of dogs land up in shelter homes every year, and many more get euthanized to make space for rescued dogs.
You can end this by adopting a new dog and advocating against puppy mills and unethical breeding by signing up with PETA and animal welfare movements.
Don't forget to celebrate this day by being with your furry friend and giving them the time of their life!
Get in touch with Urban Pet Hospital & Resort, the best doggy daycare in Urbandale.