National Rescue Dog Day is a special day dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the countless dogs that are rescued each year. It also serves as a reminder to encourage people to adopt rescue dogs and shine a light on the incredible work done by animal shelters and rescue organizations.
When is National Rescue Dog Day?
National Rescue Dog Day is observed annually on May 20th. This heartfelt pet holiday was founded in 2018 by children’s book author Lisa Wiehebrink, who is also the founder of the nonprofit Tails That Teach. Her organization donates books to elementary schools and humane societies across the country, helping to foster a love and understanding of animals in young readers.
Celebrate by sharing your rescue dog photos on social media using the hashtag #NationalRescueDogDay.
How Can You Celebrate?
Since its creation, National Rescue Dog Day has gained widespread recognition and is celebrated by dog lovers across the United States. This day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the love, joy, and companionship that rescue dogs bring into our lives while highlighting the importance of adopting dogs in need of a forever home.
One of the best ways to support rescue dogs is through adoption! For example, we recently welcomed our dog Isla from our local shelter, joining our other rescue dog, Barli, as part of our family. Our home has been shared with rescue dogs for years, and we couldn’t be happier.
If adoption isn’t an option for you right now, there are still many ways to help. Fostering, volunteering, and donating are excellent ways to support the many rescues and shelters that work tirelessly to find forever homes for adoptable dogs.
Share Adoptable Dogs on Social Media
One of the most impactful ways to help rescue dogs on National Rescue Dog Day is by sharing adoptable dogs on social media. A few minutes of your time could help a shelter dog find their forever family!
Here are some tips for maximizing your reach when sharing adoptable dogs:
- Go Public: If you’re comfortable, keep your account public so that more people can see and share your posts. If you prefer to maintain privacy, consider creating a separate, public account dedicated to animal advocacy.
- Use Hashtags Wisely: Hashtags function like an online index, helping people find posts related to specific topics. For example, using “#1YearOld #MixedBreed #Dog in #Denver” will make your post more discoverable to those searching for dogs in Denver.
- Be Specific with Location: Always include the city and state in your posts. This helps potential adopters know where the dog is located, increasing the chances of finding a nearby home.
- Ask for Shares: Don’t be shy about asking your followers to share or retweet your posts. Research shows that posts with a clear call to action tend to get more engagement.
National Rescue Dog Day is a time to celebrate the amazing dogs that have been rescued and to support the ongoing efforts to find homes for those still in need. Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, or simply share posts online, every action helps make a difference in the lives of rescue dogs.