Date
Wednesday
Apr
23

April 23

National Lost Dogs Awareness Day

Help lost dogs find their way home this National Lost Dogs Awareness Day - spread the word and join in on local events to make a difference!

Yearly Date
April 23
Type
Day
Category
Animal

Introduction

It's time to recognize and celebrate our furry friends on April 23 for National Lost Dogs Awareness Day! This day was created to bring awareness to the millions of lost dogs that are in need of a safe and loving home. It is also a great opportunity to remind people of the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, as well as teaching children about being responsible pet owners. There are many fun activities you can do on this day, such as hosting a fundraiser or participating in a local animal rescue event. So let's get out there, have some fun, and spread awareness for our four-legged friends!

National Lost Dogs Awareness Day Timeline

1869
First US Animal Shelter
The Women's SPCA of Pennsylvania opens as the first animal shelter in the United States, helping lost and stray dogs.
1881
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross was founded, including services to help find lost pets, in particular dogs.
1957
Pet Identifier Tags
The USA introduces laws requesting pet owners to put identification tags on their pets, increasing chances to find lost dogs.
1987
Introduction of Microchipping
Microchipping was introduced in the United States as a way to track lost pets, improving the chances of reuniting owners with their lost dogs.
2006
Online Lost Dog Databases
The internet era brought new tools to find lost dogs, like online databases and social media groups dedicated to reuniting lost dogs with their owners.
2014
First Lost Dogs Awareness Day
Lost Dog Awareness Day was first celebrated to bring awareness to lost dogs and the importance of spaying, neutering, and responsible pet ownership.

How to Celebrate National Lost Dogs Awareness Day

1

Organize a Walk-a-thon

Organize a walk-a-thon to help raise awareness for lost dogs. Have participants donate and collect donations from local businesses. Use the proceeds to advertise lost dogs or create a donation for an animal shelter.

2

Volunteer at a Local Animal Shelter

Volunteering your time at a local animal shelter is one way to help lost dogs find their way home. You can help walk the dogs, clean cages, and even help with adoption events.

3

Make Lost Dog Flyers

Making flyers is one of the best ways to get the word out about a lost dog. Create flyers with pictures of the dog, contact info, and any other relevant information and distribute them in your neighborhood.

4

Start a Lost Dog Facebook Group

Create a closed Facebook group dedicated to finding lost dogs in your area. Post pictures and information about lost dogs in the group to get help from people in the community.

5

Donate to Lost Dog Charities

Donating money to organizations that work to reunite lost dogs with their families is a great way to celebrate National Lost Dogs Awareness Day. Research charities in your area or nationwide that are dedicated to helping lost pets find their way home.

Why National Lost Dogs Awareness Day is Important

A

Lost dogs are a big problem

An estimated 8 million dogs enter animal shelters every year, and many of those are strays or lost pets. National Lost Dogs Awareness Day is an important reminder that these animals need our help to be reunited with their owners.

B

Raises awareness of animal welfare issues

The issue of missing or abandoned pets is a sad one, but it brings to light other important animal welfare issues such as proper pet identification, spaying and neutering, and the importance of adopting from shelters. By raising awareness on this day, we can all do our part in helping to keep our furry friends safe and healthy!

C

Highlight efforts to reunite lost dogs and their owners

Dedicated organizations and volunteers around the world work tirelessly to reunite lost dogs with their owners through search and rescue operations. National Lost Dogs Awareness Day helps bring attention to these efforts by celebrating successes, recognizing volunteers and highlighting ways for everyone to get involved in helping homeless pups find their way back home.

National Lost Dogs Awareness Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Apr 22
Saturday
2024
Apr 22
Monday
2025
Apr 22
Tuesday
2026
Apr 22
Wednesday
2027
Apr 22
Thursday