February, 2024 Pet Holidays from PetsWeekly

February isn’t just about heart-shaped boxes and chocolates – it’s also a powerhouse month for promoting responsible pet ownership! Alongside Valentine’s Day, two crucial causes take center stage: spaying and neutering pets and combating dog theft.

Let’s spread the love fur-ther than ever before:

• Spay and Neuter Awareness Month: Throughout February, we raise awareness about the vital importance of spaying and neutering pets. This simple procedure helps control pet populations, prevents unwanted litters, and contributes to better overall health for dogs and cats.
• Share informative posts: Use social media to educate others about the benefits of spaying and neutering and encourage responsible pet ownership.
• Support local shelters: Many shelters offer affordable or subsidized spay and neuter services. Donate or volunteer to help make these vital procedures accessible to everyone.
• Talk to your vet: If you’re considering adopting a pet, ask if they’ve already been spayed or neutered. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about the procedure and its benefits.

Protecting Our Furry Friends:

While we normally associate February 14 with Valentine’s Day, it also marks National Pet Theft Awareness Day. This is a great time to take an opportunity to protect your precious pup:

• Microchip your dog: Microchipping provides vital identification that can help reunite you with your pet if they’re ever lost or stolen.
• Secure your yard: Make sure fences are secure and gates are always locked to prevent your dog from wandering off.
• Never leave your dog unattended: Avoid leaving your dog tied up outside or in public areas unsupervised.
• Report suspicious activity: If you see something, say something! Report any suspicious behavior around your dog to authorities immediately.

By embracing these initiatives, we can make February a month of celebrating our furry friends while promoting responsible ownership and protecting them from harm. Let’s shower our pets with love and ensure they live happy, healthy lives by taking these important steps!

Month-Long Observances

• Beat the Heat Month.
• Black Dog and Cat Syndrome Awareness Month.
• Dog Training Education Month.
• Feline Fix by Five Month.
• National Cat Health Month.
• National Prevent a Litter Month.
• Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. (Humane Society of the United States)
• Pet Dental Health Month.
• Responsible Pet Owners Month.
• Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• National Pet Dental Health Month
• Responsible Pet Owners Month
• Dog Training Education Month
• National Cat Health Month
• International Hoof Care Month
• Spay/Neuter Awareness Month

Week-Long Holidays

• Feb. 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week. Unleash those dogs and set up some fencing solutions instead. Need a hand? We’ve got a detailed look at temporary fencing and permanent fencing that works for any situation. There are no more excuses…
• Feb 18-24: National Drink Wine with Your Cat Week. (The 3rd full week in February) Do we really need that designated as a special week or is it a year-round occasion?
• Feb. 20-27: National Justice for Animals Week. tand with a pawsitive roar against cruelty, demanding fairness for our voiceless friends and celebrating the heroes fighting for their wellbeing.

One-Day Holidays

• Feb. 1: World Galgo Day. This awareness day shines a light on the tragic fate of thousands of Galgos, a Spanish sighthound, left to die or killed at the end of Spain’s hunting season every year. Also known as World Greyhound Day.
• Feb. 2: Sled Dog Day. Celebrate these powerful paws-ibilities – champions of endurance, teamwork, and Arctic exploration, deserving of belly rubs and endless “mush!”
  • National Brown Dog Day. Celebrate the loveable labs, the majestic shepherds, and all the chocolate, cinnamon, and caramel pups that enrich our lives. Spoil them with treats, extra snuggles, and a grateful heart for their boundless joy and unwavering loyalty. Let’s make every tail wag with delight, because after all, the world’s a brighter place with brown fur in it!
  •  National Hedgehog Day. Celebrate these prickly pincushions, nature’s insect-munching superheroes, with a feast of mealworms, a cozy hideaway (and no baths!), and a toast to their grumpy-cute charm. Let’s give these hilarious hedgehogs a wiggle of appreciation for keeping our gardens bug-free and reminding us that sometimes, the best things come in prickly packages.
  • Groundhog Day. Join the furry frenzy of Groundhog Day, where Punxsutawney Phil predicts spring or six more weeks of chills. From shadow-boxing groundhogs to pancake breakfasts fit for a weatherman, celebrate the quirky tradition that reminds us: winter’s grip might loosen, but our love for furry forecasts (and pancakes) never hibernates
• Feb. 3: Doggy Date Night. Ditch the fancy dinners and dim lighting, grab your leash and frisbee, and treat your best bud to a tail-wagging adventure. Chase sunsets in the park, sniff out treats at a dog-friendly café, or snuggle up for a movie marathon – it’s all about celebrating the unconditional love that only comes with four paws and endless zoomies. So tonight, forget the champagne, pour the kibble, and let the furry fun begin.
• National Golden Retriever Day. Celebrate these furry ambassadors of joy with belly rubs and beach romps, chase them with tennis balls brighter than their coats, and pour a glass of “pawsecco” to their unwavering loyalty and infectious grins. From playful pups to gentle giants, let’s shower these golden goofballs with the love they deserve, because a world without a Golden’s happy wag is a world a tad less shiny.
• Feb. 5: World Animal Reiki Day. From soothing stressed shelter pets to deepening our bonds with our own companions, every gentle touch and mindful breath creates ripples of well-being. So grab your yoga mat, channel the purrs of inner peace, and join the global chorus of paws and purrs celebrating the magic of animal Reiki
• Feb. 12: Safety Pup Day. An awareness effort by the National Child Safety Council (N.C.S.C.), this day features the work of Safetypup®, a puppy character who helps teach children about safety.
• Feb 13: National Clean Out Your Computer Day. Yep, it’s time to clean up all those millions of photos and heartfelt notes to your pets. But, don’t get rid of them, move to a mobile or sky drive for safe storage.
• Feb. 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day. Let’s celebrate the unconditional love we share with our pets by taking action: microchipping, securing yards, raising awareness, and spreading pawsitive tips. Because no love story deserves a stolen ending. #ProtectOurPaws #PetTheftAwarenessDay
  • Valentine’s Day
• Feb 17.
  • Cat Day in Poland. Also known as Dzień kota.
  • Cat Day in Italy.
• Feb. 19: National Boston Terrier Day.
• Feb. 19: National Whippet Day. Created by Redhound for Dogs, a UK company that specializes in Whippet clothing. From couch potato cuddles to lightning-fast zoomies, these greyhounds in miniature deserve a day as bright as their coats and a love as endless as their gallop. So raise a paw, whip out the feather wands, and let the whippet love flow!
• Feb. 19: International Tug-of-War Day. From playful pups in the park to serious athletes vying for glory, let the tug-of-war spirit unite us in cheers, laughter, and a good old-fashioned display of human and canine (or feline!) strength
• Feb. 20: National Love Your Pet Day. Isn’t this every day?
• Feb. 21: International Skye Terrier Day.
• Feb. 22: 
  • Walking the Dog Day. Because life’s better with a wag by your side, so let’s celebrate the bond that blossoms with every step, every sniff, and every muddy paw print.
  • Cat Day in Japan.
  • Marie Day. Designated by Walt Disney Japan, this day celebrates Marie of The AristoCats!
• Feb. 23:
  • International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. Whether you bake them yourself or buy them, your dogs need no effort to appreciate biscuits!
  • National Dog Biscuit Day. Need some fun and easy recipes? Look no further than our recipe files!
• Feb. 27: World Spay Day. Annual campaign by the Humane Society International and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS); held the last Tuesday of February. Created to combat the crisis of pet overpopulation in every corner of the globe, animal lovers are encouraged to spread the word through social media and help to raise funds for the paws cause.

Download your FREE February calendar today!

[January] [February] [March] [April] [May] [June] [July] [August] [September] [October] [November] [December]