Pull out your koki pens and update your Google Cals! 2026 is going to be a blockbuster year for the furry, feathered, scaled and wholehearted legends we call pets.

From monthlong health observances to adoption days and pet events that exist purely so you can dress your dog like Madonna (or Maradona), we’ve rounded up all the tail-wagging, whisker-twitching celebrations coming up in 2026.

And while you're marking down these event dates, don’t forget to keep your furry fam covered with wholehearted pet insurance every day.


January

New Year, New Tricks, Same Drama Queen Pet.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Walk Your Pet Month
  • Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
  • One Health Awareness Month
  • National Train Your Dog Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

2 Jan. National Pet Travel Safety Day

Buckle up, buttercup. Safety first, chaos second.

5 Jan. National Bird Day

Give the bird in your life the attention they think they deserve. (Which is…  all of it.)

14 Jan. National Dress Up Your Pet Day

Get your outfits, wigs, sequins. it’s the Met Gala for pets.

24 Jan. Change a Pet’s Life Day

Donate, foster, adopt, volunteer. Or just share a rescue post. The algorithm must be used for good.


February

Romance. Treats. Long walks (mostly for the dog’s benefit).

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Pet Dental Health Month
  • Responsible Pet Owners Month
  • Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

20 Feb. Love Your Pet Day

Love them loudly, softly, and unconditionally. The way dogs love the smell of braai chops.

23 Feb. World Spay Day

A snip a day keeps unwanted litters away.

23 Feb. Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

If dogs could vote, this would be a national public holiday.


March

Don’t eat that!” season begins. Again.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

IMPORTANT DAYS

13 Mar. K9 Veterans Day

A day for the heroes with paws. Brave service dogs keeping SA safe.

23 Mar. National Puppy Day

Tiny paws. Big chaos. Zero regrets.

30 Mar. Take a Walk in the Park Day

Grab the leash. Grab the snacks. Stretch those legs. Both of you.


April

A month so stacked, it’ll be hard to make room for anything more than your fur baby.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

IMPORTANT DAYS

4 Apr. World Stray Animals Day

A reminder to show kindness to the unseen paws.

10 Apr. Hug Your Dog Day

Hug gently. They must consent. Drool is guaranteed.

11 Apr. National Pet Day

The Coachella of pet holidays. Matching outfits? Mandatory.

17–23 Apr. National Pet ID Week

Chip. Tag. Update. Because “my dog is lost” posts age you five years.

24 Apr. International Guide Dog Day

To the dogs who change lives daily. We salute you.

26 Apr. World Veterinary Day

Buy your vet a coffee. Honestly? They deserve a public holiday.

30 Apr. Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Go ahead. Change your life. The best day to bring home your new bestie.


May

Soft hearts, soft hands, soft treats.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Arthritis Awareness Month
  • Service Dog Eye Exam Month
  • Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

1–7 May. Be Kind to Animals Week

Be gentle. Be patient. Trim the claws. Repeat.

3 May. Specially-Abled Pets Day

Celebrate the superheroes with wheels, quirks and endless spirit.

9 May. Animal Disaster Preparedness Day

Have a plan. Your cat will ignore it. But still. have one.

13 May. Migratory Bird Day

Look up and enjoy the feathered traffic in the sky.

20 May. National Rescue Dog Day

Second chances look best on rescue pups.

23 May. World Turtle Day

Slow vibes only. Channel your inner tortoise.


June

It’s the season for cuddles.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Adopt a Cat Month
  • National Foster a Pet Month
  • National Microchipping Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

4 June. Hug Your Cat Day

Ask permission. Approach cautiously. Accept rejection gracefully.

9 June. World Pet Memorial Day

Light a candle. Honour the paws that shaped your heart.

21 June. Take Your Dog to Work Day

Meetings = 10 X cuter. Productivity = 90% worse.

24 June. Cat World Domination Day

A day to acknowledge the truth: they already run the house.


July

Give back. Wear beanies. Pet kittens. Simple.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Clear the Shelters Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

6 July. World Zoonoses Day

Vaccines save lives. Full stop.

10 July. National Kitten Day

Cute. Chaotic. Claws everywhere. Five stars.

16 July. World Snake Day

Love them or fear them. they still matter.

18 July. Mandela Day

Give 67 minutes at a shelter. Go out there and create Soft Landings.

26 July. Dog Photography Day

Strike a pose and tag us on socials. Remember, treats equal motivation.

31 July. Mutt’s Day

Celebrate the mixed-breed magic.


August

Hooray, it’s dotsure.co.za’s birthday month!

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Itchy Pet Awareness Month
  • National Immunisation Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

1 Aug. Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs

Every shelter pup gets a birthday. Cry accordingly.

8 Aug. International Cat Day

Bow down. Pay tribute. They expect it.

10 Aug. Spoil Your Dog Day

Extra treats. Extra love. Zero shame.

15 Aug. Check the Chip Day

Five minutes that could save a life.

16 Aug. dotsure.co.za Birthday

Confetti! Cake! Cover your pet! (Not in cake.)

17 Aug. Black Cat Appreciation Day

The sleek, the mysterious, the misunderstood. Show them love.

22 Aug. Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

They will scream. You will panic. The vet will be calm.

26 Aug. International Dog Day

Prepare for Instagram to collapse under dog content.


September

AKA – adulting for pet parents’ month.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Animal Pain Awareness
  • Rabies Awareness Month (SA)
  • Pet Insurance Awareness Month
  • Responsible Dog Ownership Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

1 Sept. Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

A day for the spicy, chaotic, orange gremlins.

13 Sept. National Pet Memorial Day

Reflect. Remember. Cherish.

18 Sept. Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Scoop the poop. Train the pup.

12–18 Sept. Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week

Love the overlooked ones. They’re gold.

22–28 Sept. Deaf Dog Awareness Week

Celebrate their brilliance and resilience.

28 Sept. World Rabies Day

Vaccination is love. Vaccination is protection.


October

Walk more. Stress less. Celebrate cats.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Black Cat Awareness Month
  • Mental Health Awareness Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

1–7 Oct. Walk Your Dog Week

Walkies equal therapy for both of you.

4 Oct. World Animal Day

Every creature matters. Full stop.

9 Oct. Pet Obesity Awareness Day

Maybe skip that extra treat today. (For both of you.)

17 Oct. National Fetch Day

Grab your dog’s leash and head straight to the park.

31 Oct. Halloween

Ghosts, goblins and dogs dressed like hot dogs. Sounds like perfection.


November

Senior pets are the main characters.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • Senior Pet Health Month
  • Adopt a Senior Pet Month
  • Pet Cancer Awareness Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

1 Nov. Cook for Your Pet Day

Home-made goodness. Tail wags guaranteed.

5 Nov. Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day

Early detection saves lives.

3–9 Nov. Shelter Appreciation Week

Show love to the heroes caring for abandoned pets.

17 Nov. Take a Hike Day

Fresh air. Fresh sniffs. Good vibes.

18–24 Nov. Antibiotics Awareness Week

Don’t self-prescribe (for you or your pet).


December

Chaos, cuddles, carbs and Christmas trees.

MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCES

  • National Cat Lovers’ Month

IMPORTANT DAYS

9 Dec. International Day of Veterinary Medicine

Send your vet chocolate. They’ve earned it.

10 Dec. Animal Rights Day

A moment to reflect on compassion and welfare.

15 Dec. Cat Herders’ Day

A celebration of everyone outnumbered by their cats.

25 Dec. Christmas Day

Expect:
• chewed wrapping paper
• dogs stealing gammon
• cats climbing trees
• family chaos
• joy


The Final Encore: Your 2026 Pet Events Year Ahead

You’ve got the dates. Mark them. Share them. Celebrate them.

And while you’re at it, keep your furry family covered with wholehearted pet insurance from dotsure.co.za, for the bumps, zoomies, surprises and adventures waiting in 2026. So get in touch with us for super-fast payouts that can keep up with all your plans. Whether your pet is a diva, a chaos goblin, a cuddle monster or a certified good boy/girl, we’ve got them covered.

All that’s left is to live 2026, loudly, lovingly and with enough pet pics to fill up your phone storage.