Animal Holidays

There are lots of different Animal Holidays throughout the year to honor and celebrate all the different animals on the earth.  There are so many, that all the different Dog Holidays, and Cat Holidays will be featured on our Pet Holidays summary page. This page, will summarize all the rest of the animals!

Ultimately, there will be a devoted page done for each of the different Holidays and Observances.  As pages are completed, they will be linked up below, as well as in our Daily Holiday pages, our Holidays by Month pages, and our Alphabetical Listing of all the Holidays and Observances.

I took this picture on 7/23/2011 up at High Camp, in Squaw Valley. Marmots were running all over the tennis courts and were all over the rocks on the side of the tennis courts.

This particular one, ran down from the tennis court, towards where the Paintball area was, grabbed an orange paintball pellet, ran back to the tennis court, and stopped about 2 feet away from me, sat up and promptly ate the paintball pellet while watching me intently. I wrote a page about them along with some other pictures on my Marmot page on my Truckee Travel Guide website.

January 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Rescued Bird Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Bald Eagle Appreciation Days - January 21-22, 2023
• Christmas Bird Count Week - December 14, 2022 - January 5, 2023
• International Hoof Care Week - January 24-27, 2023
• Kiss a Shark Week - January 22-28, 2023 (Fourth Full Week of January)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• National Bird Day - January 5
• Save the Eagles Day - January 10
• Eagle Day - January 14, 2023 (Second Saturday in January)
• Feast of the Ass (Donkey) - January 14 (Celebrates all the donkeys of the Bible)
• Appreciate a Dragon Day - January 16
• Winnie the Pooh Day - January 18
• Penguin Awareness Day - January 20
• Squirrel Appreciation Day - January 21
• Rattlesnake Round Up - January 28

February 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• Humpback Whale Awareness Month
• International Hoof Care Month
• National Bird Feeding Month
• National Goat Yoga Month
• National Wild Bird-Feeding Month
• Responsible Animal Guardian Month
• Responsible Pet Owner Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Bird Health Awareness Week - February 19-25, 2023 (Last Full Week of February)
• Great Backyard Bird Count - February 17-20, 2023
• Homes for Birds Week - February 12-18, 2023 (Second Full Week of February)
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - February 28 - March 19, 2023 (Houston, TX)
• National Invasive Species Awareness Week - February 27 - March 3, 2023 (For 5 Days Starting the Last Monday in February)
• National Justice for Animals Week - February 19-25, 2023 (Begins on the Fourth Week in February)
• National Nestbox Week - February 14-21
  
• Whooping Crane Festival - February 24-27, 2022 (2023 TBA)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• Serpent Day - February 1
  
• Groundhog Day - February 2
• Hedgehog Day - February 2
• Marmot Day (Alaska) - February 2
• National Cordova Ice Worm Day - February 3
• Feed the Birds Day - February 3
• Western Monarch Day - February 5
• World Animal Reiki Day - February 5
• National Hippo Day - February 15
• Champion Crab Races Day - February 17
• Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day - February 18
  
• World Pangolin Day - February 18, 2023 - (Third Saturday in February)
• World Whale Day - February 18, 2023 - (Third Saturday in February)
• National Wildlife Day - February 22 (In 2018 this date was permanently changed from September 4 in honor of Steve Irving's Birthday)
• International Polar Bear Day - February 27
• National Polar Bear Day - February 27

March 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
• Dolphin Awareness Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Festival of Owls Week - March 3-5, 2023 (First Full Weekend in March)
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - February 28 - March 19, 2023 (Houston, TX)
• International Festival of Owls March 3-5, 2023
• National Aardvark Week - Second Week of March
• National Animal Poison Prevention Week - March 19-25, 2023 (Third Full Week of March)
• Termite Awareness Week - March 5-11, 2023
• Turkey Vultures Return to the Living Sign - March 11-17

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• National Horse Protection Day - March 1
• National Pig Day - March 1
• World Wildlife Day - March 3
• Key Deer Awareness Day - March 11
• Learn About Butterflies Day - March 14
• Save a Spider Day - March 14
• Buzzard Day - March 15
• International Day of Action Against Canadian Seal Slaughter - March 15
• International Eat an Animal for PETA Day - March 15
• National Farm Rescuer Day - March 16, 2023 (Third Thursday in March)
• National Panda Day - March 16
• Save the Panther Day - March 18, 2023 (Third Saturday in March)
• National Poultry Day - March 19
  
• Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day - March 19
• World Frog Day - March 20
• World Sparrow Day - March 20
• International Day of the Seal - March 22
• Manatee Appreciation Day - March 29, 2023 (Last Wednesday in March)

April 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Ferret Month
• National Frog Month
• National Pest Management Month
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week - April 16-22, 2023  (Third Week in April)
  
• Bat Appreciation Week - April 2-8, 2023 (First Full Week of April)
• Be Kind to Spiders Week - April 2-8, 2023 (First Full Week of April)
• Bedbug Awareness Week - April 23-29, 2023 (Last Week in April)
• International Wildlife Film Week - April 22-27, 2023 
• Mule Day - March 28 - April 3, 2022 (2023 TBD)
• Mule Week - March 28 - April 3, 2022 (2023 TBD)
• National Animal Control Appreciation Week - April 9-15, 2023  (Second Full Week of April)
• National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week - April 9-15, 2023
• National Wildlife Week - April 4-8, 2023
• World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week - April 23-29, 2023 (Week that surrounds April 24th each year)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• National Birding Day - April 1, 2023 (First Saturday of April)
• National Ferret Day - April 2
• World Rat Day - April 4
• International Beaver Day - April 7
• Draw a Picture of a Bird Day - April 8
• National Catch and Release Day - April 8, 2023 (Second Saturday in April)
• Zoo Lovers Day - April 8
• National Unicorn Day - April 9
• ASPCA Day (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - April 10
• National Farm Animals Day - April 10
• National Pet Day - April 11
• National Dolphin Day - April 14
• Save the Elephant Day - April 16
• Bat Appreciation Day - April 17
• International Bat Appreciation Day - April 17
• National Velociraptor Awareness Day - April 18
• Pet Owners Independence Day - April 18
• Pet Owners Day - April 19
• National Pet CBD Day - April 21
• National Yellow Bat Day - April 21
• World Day for Animals in Laboratories - April 24
• World Penguin Day - April 25
• Audubon Day - April 26
• National Help a Horse Day - April 26
• Mantanzas Mule Day - April 27
• Marine Mammal Rescue Day - April 27
• Eeyore's Birthday Day - April 29, 2023 (Last Saturday of April)
• National Go Birding Day - April 29, 2023 (Last Saturday of April)
• Save the Frogs Day - April 29, 2023 (Last Saturday in April)
• World Veterinary Day - April 29, 2023 (Last Saturday in April)
• National Animal Advocacy Day - April 30
• National Therapy Animal Day - April 30

May 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Be Kind to Animals Month
• Chip Your Pet Month
• Gardening for Wildlife Month
• International Respect for Chickens Month 
• National Duckling Month
• National Pet Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Be Kind to Animals Week - May 7-13, 2023 (First Full Week in May)
• Frog Jumping Jubilee Day - May 18-21, 2022 (Calavaras County, CA)
  
• National Heritage Breeds Week - May 21-27, 2023 (Third Full Week in May)
  
• National Pet Week - May 7-13, 2023 (First Full Week in May)
• The Biggest Week in American Birding - May 5-14, 2023
• World Migratory Bird Day - May 13-14, 2023 (Second Weekend in May), and October 14, 2023 (Second Saturday in October)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• Save the Rhino Day - May 1
• World Tuna Day - May 2
• National Specially-abled Pets Day - May 3
• Bird Day - May 4
• International Respect for Chickens Day - May 4
• Kentucky Derby - May 6, 2023 (First Saturday in May)
• National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day - May 6, 2023 (First Saturday in May)
• Start Seeing Monarchs Day - May 6, 2023 (First Saturday in May)
• Fintastic Friday: Giving Sharks a Voice - May 12, 2023 (Second Friday in May)
• Frog Jumping Day - May 13
• International Migratory Bird Day - May 13, 2023 (Second Saturday in May)
• National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day - May 13, 2023
• International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day - May 15
• National Sea Monkey Day - May 16
• Dinosaur Day - May 15 and June 1
• Endangered Species Day - May 19, 2023 (Third Friday in May)
• Preakness - May 20, 2023 (Third Saturday in May)
• World Bee Day - May 20
• International Turtle Day - May 23
• World Turtle Day - May 23
• National Heritage Breeds Day - May 27, 2023 (Saturday of Third Full Week in May)
• Slugs Return to Capistrano Day - May 28
• Whooping Crane Day - May 28
• Pink Flamingo Day - May 29
• World Otter Day - May 31, 2023 (Last Wednesday in May)
• World Parrot Day - May 31

June 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Aquarium Month
• Fight the Filthy Fly Month
• Zoo and Aquarium Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Animal Rights Awareness Week - June 19-25, 2023 (Mid June)
• Bed Bug Awareness Week - June 4-10, 2023
• Carpenter Ant Awareness Week - June 18-24, 2023 (Last Full Week of June)
• Fish are Friends, Not Food Week! - June 18-24, 2023 (Last Week of June)
• National Insect Week - June 19-25, 2023
• National Mosquito Control Awareness Week - June 25 - July 1, 2023 (Last Full Week in June)
• National Pollinator Week - June 19-25, 2023
• Pet Appreciation Week - June 4-10, 2023 (First Week in June)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• Dinosaur Day - June 1 and May 15
• National Black Bear Day - June 3, 2023 (First Saturday in June)
• Turtle Races Day - June 3, 2023 (First Saturday in June)
• National Animal Rights Day - June 4, 2023 (First Sunday in June)
• World Day Against Speciesism - June 5 
• June Bug Day - June 7
• International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos - June 8
• Belmont Stakes - June 10, 2023
• National Black Cow Day - June 10
• World Pet Memorial Day - June 13, 2023 (Second Tuesday in June)
• World Sea Turtle Day  - June 16
• National Pets in Film Day - June 19
• American Eagle Day - June 20
• World Giraffe Day - June 21
• National Catfish Day - June 25

Leigh's son Ryan, and a Monkey friend!  Ryan said the look on his face was because the monkey had been pulling his hair.

July 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• National Bison Month
• Wild About Wildlife Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Celebration of the Horse Day - July 14-16, 2023 (Third Weekend)
  
• Coral Reef Awareness Week - Third Week of July
• National Farriers Week - July 2-8, 2023
• National Mosquito Control Awareness Week - June 25 - July 1, 2023 (Last Full Week in June - Week with June 26th in it)
• National Moth Week - July 22-30, 2023
• National Zoo Keeper Week - July 16-22, 2023 (Third Week in July)
• Rabbit Week - July 15-21

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• American Zoo Day - July 1
• Independence From Meat Day - July 4
• Don't Step on a Bee Day - July 10
• Shark Awareness Day - July 14
• I Love Horses Day - July 15
• Guinea Pig Appreciation Day - July 16
• World Snake Day - July 16
• Take a Monkey to Lunch Day - July 21
• Rat Catcher's Day - July 22
• Mosquito Day - July 23
• International Tiger Day - July 29

August 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• National Catfish Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• International Bat Night(s) - August 25-27, 2023 (Last Full Weekend in August)
• Shark Week - August (Specific Dates TBA)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• Dinosaurs Day - August 2
• National Sea Serpent Day - August 7
• Scottish Wildcat Day - August 8
• World Lion Day - August 10
• World Elephant Day - August 12
• World Lizard Day - August 14
• International Homeless Animals Day - August 19, 2023 (Third Saturday of August) 
• National Homeless Animals Day - August 19, 2023 (Third Saturday of August)
• National Honey Bee Day - August 19, 2023 (Third Saturday of August)
• World Honey Bee Day - August 19, 2023
• World Orangutan Day - August 19
• World Mosquito Day - August 20
• Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day - August 28
• International Whale Shark Day - August 30

September 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Animal Pain Awareness Month
• National Save a Tiger Month
• National Velociraptor Awareness Month (Dinosaur)
• Save the Koala Month
• World Animal Remembrance Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week - September 17-23, 2023 (Third Week of September)
• National Farm Animals Awareness Week - September 16-22, 2023  (Starts on Third Saturday in September)
• Sea Otter Awareness Week - September 24-30, 2023 (Last Week of September)
• Shetland Wool Week - September 23 - October 1, 2023

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• Save Japan's Dolphins Day - September 1
• International Vulture Awareness Day - September 2, 2023 (First Saturday in September)
• National Hummingbird Day - September 2, 2023 (First Saturday in September)
• National Wildlife Day - September 4
• National Threatened Species Day - September 7
• National Iguana Awareness Day - September 9, 2023 (Second Saturday in September)
• National Pet Memorial Day - September 10, 2023 (Second Sunday in September)
• International Red Panda Day - September 16, 2023 (Third Saturday of September)
• Elephant Appreciation Day - September 22
• World Rhino Day - September 22
• Fish Amnesty Day - September 23, 2023 (Fourth Saturday in September)
• International Rabbit Day - September 23, 2023 (Fourth Saturday or Sunday in September)
• National Wildlife Ecology Day - September 23, 2023 (Fourth Saturday in September)
• National Bluebird of Happiness Day - September 24
• Shamu the Whale Day - September 26
• Happy Goose Day - September 29 
• Save the Koala Day - September 29, 2023 (Last Friday in September)

October 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Bat Appreciation Month
• Feral Hog Month, or Hog Out Month
• National Animal Safety and Protection Month
• Squirrel Awareness Month
• World Animal Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• National Veterinary Technician Week - October 15-21, 2023
• National Wolf Awareness Week - October 15-21, 2023 (Third Full Week of October Sunday to Saturday)
• Shetland Wool Week - September 23 - October 1, 2023

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• International Raccoon Appreciation Day - October 1
• World Farm Animals Day - October 2
• Butterfly and Hummingbird Day - October 3
  
• Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral Day - October 4
• World Animal Day - October 4
• National Badger Day - October 6
• National Salmon Day - October 8
• Vet Nurse Day - October 13, 2023 (Second Friday in October)
• International Sloth Day - October 20
• Reptile Awareness Day - October 21
• National Mule Day - October 26
  
• World Lemar Day - October 27, 2023 (Last Friday in October)
• Hug a Sheep Day - October 28, 2023 (Last Saturday in October)

November 2023 Animal Holidays

Month: (Alpha Order)

• Adopt a Turkey Month
• Manatee Awareness Month

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week - November 5-11, 2023 (First Full Week of November)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• Jellyfish Day - November 3
• Bison Day - November 4, 2023 (First Saturday in November)
• World Numbat Day - November 4, 2023 (First Saturday of November)
• National Hug a Bear Day - November 7 (...a Stuffed Bear!)
• American Frog Day - November 10
• AFRMA Fancy Rat & Mouse Day - November 12
• Turtle Adoption Day - November 27

December 2023 Animal Hoidays

2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)

• Christmas Bird Count Week - December 14, 2023 - January 5, 2024 (Every Dec. 14 - Jan. 5)

2023 Days: (Date Order)

• International Cheetah Day - December 4
• World Wildlife Conservation Day - December 4
• International Day of Veterinary Medicine - December 9
• National Llama Day - December 9
• Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales - December 10
• International Animal Rights Day - December 10
• National Day of Animal Rights - December 10
• Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day - December 11
• National Day of the Horse - December 13
• Monkey Day - December 14
  
• Visit the Zoo Day - December 27

Follow our Holidays and Observances Animal Holidays Board on Pinterest - below you will see our 30 most recent pins to this photo board! (Note: You'll find all the Dogs and Cats on our Pet Holidays Board)

Click on the SEE ON PINTEREST bar right above, to see all the rest of our photo's on this board, and to Follow the board.  This is one board where I'll constantly be adding new pictures to!!