Animal holidays are designated days throughout the year that celebrate specific animals, raise awareness about wildlife conservation, and promote animal welfare—with over 50 recognized observances ranging from National Bird Day (January 6) to Monkey Day (December 14).
List of Animal Holidays
Here’s your month-by-month guide to every major animal holiday you need on your calendar:
January
- National Bird Day – January 5
- Penguin Awareness Day – January 20
- International Zebra Day – January 31
February
- Groundhog Day – February 2
- Love Your Pet Day – February 20
- International Polar Bear Day – February 27
March
- National Pig Day – March 1
- World Wildlife Day – March 3
- National Panda Day – March 16
- World Sparrow Day – March 20
- National Puppy Day – March 23
April
- World Stray Animals Day – April 4
- National Pet Day – April 11
- Bat Appreciation Day – April 17
- World Penguin Day – April 25
May
- World Donkey Day – May 8
- Endangered Species Day – Third Friday in May
- World Bee Day – May 20
- World Turtle Day – May 23
June
- World Oceans Day – June 8
- National Hedgehog Day – June 12
- World Sea Turtle Day – June 16
- World Giraffe Day – June 21
July
- Shark Awareness Day – July 14
- World Snake Day – July 16
- International Tiger Day – July 29
August
- International Cat Day – August 8
- World Lion Day – August 10
- World Elephant Day – August 12
- National Dog Day – August 26
September
- International Primate Day – September 1
- National Wildlife Day – September 4
- World Rhino Day – September 22
- World Gorilla Day – September 24
- World Rabies Day – September 28
October
- World Animal Day – October 4
- World Octopus Day – October 8
- International Sloth Day – October 20
- National Cat Day – October 29
November
- International Polar Bear Day – November 1
December
- International Cheetah Day – December 4
- Monkey Day – December 14
You can celebrate over 50 animal holidays throughout the calendar year.
This number keeps growing as animal advocates create new observances for overlooked species. Some years add awareness days for bees, bats, rabbits, and other creatures gaining conservation attention.
The count varies depending on whether you include regional celebrations versus internationally recognized dates.
Major animal holidays—those with significant participation—number around 30 to 42 annually. These generate substantial social media engagement, news coverage, and fundraising activity.
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