FEBRUARY—Thankfully, this is a leap year. We’ll need the extra day to fit in so many great animal-related celebrations. This is National Prevent a Litter Month and the 22^nd is Spay Day USA. You can do your part to help get animals sterilized by donating to your local spay/neuter group or by offering to pay for an animal’s surgery. If you’re in the Washington, DC area, we recommend our own Spay Today. You could make your contribution during Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 14-20). Ensuring that your own animals are spayed or neutered will help you fit the bill for Responsible Animal Guardian Month. Hats off to everyone who is caring for all of his or her animals’ needs! Responsible guardians also do not chain their dogs—it is Unchain a Dog Month—and take measures against theft such as microchipping and supervising their animals—National Pet Theft Awareness Day is Feb. 14).
 

January	February
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month National Bird Day - Jan. 5 Albert Schweitzer's Birthday - Jan. 14 National Penguin Awareness Day - Jan 20 Squirrel Appreciation Day - Jan 21	Unchain a Dog Month National Prevent a Litter Month Pet Dental Health Month Responsible Animal Guardian Month Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month World Wetlands Day - Feb. 2 National Pet Theft Awareness Day - Feb. 14 Random Acts of Kindness Week - Feb. 14-20 Spay Day USA - Feb. 22 Polar Bear Day - Feb. 27
March	April
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month Buzzard Day - Mar. 20 Great American MEAT-OUT - Mar. 20	Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month National Pet First Aid Awareness Month Every Day is (Pet) Tag Day - Apr. 2 Jane Goodall's Birthday - Apr. 3 National Pet ID Week - Apr. 17-23 World Week for Animals in Laboratories - Apr. 17-23 Earth Day - Apr. 22 Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale Apr. 23-May 1 Zoo Awareness Days - Apr. 23-25 World Week for Lab Animals - Apr. 24 World Penguin Day - Apr.25
May	June
Be Kind to Animals Week - May 1-7 National Pet Week - May 1-7 International Respect for Chickens Day - May 4 National Veal Ban Action Day - May 8 International Migratory Bird Day - May 14 National Dog Bite Prevention Week - May 15-21 Endangered Species Day - May 20 Rachel Carson’s Birthday - May 27	Adopt a Shelter Cat Month World Environment Day - June 5 World Oceans Day - June 8 World Pet Memorial Day - June 12 International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos - June 20 Take Your Dog to Work Day - June 24
July	August
George Bernard Shaw's Birthday - July 7 International Greyhound Memorial Day - July 31	National Homeless Animals Day - Aug. 11 National Dog Day - Aug 26
September	October
National Humane Education Society Founded 1948 - Sep. 15 National Pet Memorial Day - Sep. 10 International Coastal Cleanup Day - Sep. 17 Elephant Appreciation Day - Sep. 22 National Dog Day - Sep. 18-24 National Farm Animals Awareness Week - Sep. 18-24	Adopt a Shelter Dog Month National Service Dog Month Vegetarian Awareness Month World Vegetarian Day - Oct. 1 Gandhi’s Birthday - Oct. 2 World Farm Animals Day - Oct. 2 St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day - Oct. 4 World Animals Week - Oct. 4-10 National Feral Cat Day - Oct. 16 National Wolf Awareness Week - Oct. 16-22 Make a Difference Day - Oct. 22 National Cat Day - Oct. 29
November	December
Adopt a Senior Pet Month World Vegan Day - Nov. 1 Worldwide Anti-Whaling Day - Nov. 5 National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week - Nov. 6-12 Fur Free Friday - Nov. 25	NHES Founder Anna C. Briggs’ Birthday - Dec. 9 International Day of Animal Rights - Dec. 10 National Day of the Horse - Dec. 13 Endangered Species Act signed 1973 - Dec. 28