Did you know that February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month? Or that April 2 is recognized as National Ferret Day? If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably made it this far in your life without commemorating these special occasions, or even being aware that they exist. But whether you think such holidays are cute or simply corny, they provide great opportunities for you to engage your audience on social media or through your practice’s email newsletter.
For one thing, such days create an opening for you to educate your clientele. Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month can be just the excuse you need to share some tips on caring for pet rabbits, or to guide your patients through the benefits of pet adoption more generally. And something like World Spay Day (February 25th, for what it's worth) is as good a time as any for you to extol the virtues of spaying and neutering, reminding new pet owners to attend to these important procedures.
And even the holidays that offer less educational value can still provide a good time for you to pose funny questions, share cute animal photos, or distribute thematic memes. To put it another way, these national veterinary holidays give you fodder for engaging your clientele in digital conversions.
As such, it’s wise to keep a calendar of festive, animal-themed occasions. You don’t have to recognize all of them, or even most of them, but some of these national veterinary holidays can be windows of opportunity for your practice marketing.
This list is far from exhaustive, but should at least give you some inspiration!
January
Walk Your Pet Month
National Train Your Dog Month
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
January 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
January 5: National Bird Day
January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 21: Squirrel Appreciation Day
January 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day
January 29: National Seeing Eye Dog Day
February
Pet Dental Health Month
Dog Training Education Month
National Cat Health Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
National Prevent a Litter Month
Spay and Neuter Awareness Month
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
February 22: National Walk Your Dog Day
February 23: Spay Day USA
February 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
February 25: World Spay Day
March
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
March 1: National Pig Day
March 3: World Wildlife Day
March 13: K9 Veterans Day
March 14: National Save a Spider Day
March 23: National Puppy Day
April
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Greyhound Adoption Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
April 2: National Ferret Day
April 8: National Zoo Lover’s Day
April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
April 10: National Farm Animals Day
April 11: National Pet Day
April 11: Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
April 19: National Cat Lady Day
April 21: Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
April 22: Earth Day
April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
April 24: World Veterinary Day
April 25: World Penguin Day
April 28: International Guide Dogs Day
April 30: National Tabby Day
April 30: National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
May
Chip Your Pet Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
National Pet Month
Lyme Disease Prevention Month
May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
May 23: World Turtle Day
June
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Microchipping Month
Social Petworking Month
June 10: World Pet Memorial Day
June 18: Ugliest Dog Day
July
National Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
July 10: National Kitten Day
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
July 13: Cow Appreciation Day
July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 15: I Love Horses Day
August
Also known as Dogust!
August 1: Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
August 8: International Cat Day
August 10: National Spoil Your Dog Day
August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 21: International Homeless Animals Day
August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
August 26: National Dog Day
September
National Service Dog Month
National Pet Insurance Month
September 4: National Wildlife Day
September 12: National Pet Memorial Day
October
National Pit Bull Awareness Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
October 1: National Black Dog Day
October 1: National Fire Pup Day
October 4: World Animal Day
October 9: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
October 29: National Cat Day
November
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
National Senior Pet Month
Adopt a Senior Pet Month
National Pet Diabetes Month
December
National Cat Lover’s Month
December 10: International Animal Rights Day
Celebrating these special days, even the silly ones, can be a great way to expand your practice footprint on the Web. Of course, you may also need some more robust and practical solutions, including practice financing. To find out more, reach out to LenDRgroup Consulting at your convenience.