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
- Pet Poison Prevention Month
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
- Heartworm Awareness Month
- Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- Lyme Disease Prevention Month
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
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.
