First celebrated on January 24th, 2009, Change a Pet’s Life Day started as a one-time adoption event for participating shelters and has snowballed into an annual, nationwide celebration of the human-animal bond. When you adopt a cat or dog and make them a member of your family, everything changes in their world — and yours too. Learn why we celebrate Change a Pet’s Life Day and how you can join in on this very special holiday.
How Did Change a Pet’s Life Day Get Its Start?
The origin of Change a Pet’s Life Day was an adoption event on January 24th, 2009, during which Hill’s Pet Nutrition sponsored the first ten adoptions of the day for new pet parents at participating shelters. For over a decade, shelters, rescues, and animal welfare organizations nationwide have continued to celebrate January 24th by hosting their own events, from waived adoption fees and fundraisers to social media promotions and more.
What Does It Mean to “Change a Pet’s Life”?
Each year, over 6 million cats, dogs, and other animals are surrendered to animal shelters, rescues, and humane societies. Some are relinquished by their owners; others are picked up by animal control as strays, rescued from abuse, breeding mills, or hoarding situations, or found as strays and never claimed by their former families. If you’ve rescued a dog or cat, you might know their story — or you might know nothing about their past.
The day you met your pet, it may have been love at first sight, with wags or purrs abound — or your new family member may have been shy, unsure, or even fearful. While all pets bring love and joy to our lives, there’s something extra special about a pet that’s been rescued. Though your rescued pet may not remember the day you brought them home, it’s a time you’ll never forget. From the first time they eat dinner out of a bowl with their name on it, to the first time they cuddle up on the couch, to that first deep sigh as they settle into a bed that is their very own — those are the moments in which a life is forever changed. Once your new companion is home, stocking up on quality dog supplies or cat supplies is a wonderful way to help them feel safe and settled from day one.
How to Celebrate Change a Pet’s Life Day — Even If You’re Not Ready to Adopt
If you’ve already adopted the four-legged love of your life, or you’re just not ready to take that step, you can still help a dog or cat get closer to finding the family they deserve.
- Foster a pet by opening your home to a dog or cat while they await their forever home, freeing up space at the shelter for another animal in need.
- Donate to your local shelter, whether you can give a little or a lot. Monetary donations are always appreciated, but blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, puppy pads, and similar items are also frequently needed. Most shelters and rescues maintain wishlists or donation requests on their websites or social media pages.
- Share your pet’s story to inspire others to adopt.
- Sponsor a pet by covering a shelter animal’s adoption fee or other expenses.
- Amplify your shelter’s social media by sharing fundraisers, medical funds, available adoptions, events, and volunteer opportunities posted by your local shelter or animal welfare organization.
- Volunteer your time by walking dogs, playing with cats, cleaning kennels, or otherwise offering your skills to pets in need.
- Ask friends to donate or sponsor local shelter pets in lieu of birthday or holiday gifts this year.
Once a rescued pet is home, providing them with the right nutrition is one of the best things you can do for their health and happiness. Browse pet food for dogs and cats to find options suited to your new companion’s age, size, and health needs.
