National Make a Dog's Day

Celebrated on 10/22/2026

Quick Fact

National Make a Dog's Day, celebrated on October 22, was created in 2015 by pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige to encourage people to adopt, foster, or donate to rescue organizations. The holiday is also known as National Make a Dog's Day, not to be confused with National Dog Day, which focuses on all dogs.

Origins and Establishment of National Make a Dog's Day

National Make a Dog's Day was founded in 2015 by Colleen Paige, a pet lifestyle expert, animal advocate, and author. Paige established the day to shine a spotlight on the millions of dogs in shelters awaiting adoption and to encourage people to take action to help them. The date October 22 was chosen to fall just before the holiday season, when many people consider adding a pet to their family.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its inception, National Make a Dog's Day has grown in popularity through social media campaigns and partnerships with animal welfare organizations. The day is now celebrated by encouraging adoptions, fostering, volunteering, and donating to shelters. Many pet stores and rescue groups host special events, while individuals share their adoption stories online using the hashtag #MakeADogsDay.

Facts & General Observations

• Approximately 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters every year, and about 390,000 are euthanized.
• The holiday has inspired over 500,000 social media posts with the hashtag #MakeADogsDay since 2015.
• Adopting a dog from a shelter can save up to 1,500 pounds of carbon emissions compared to buying a puppy from a breeder, due to reduced demand for breeding.

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