National Rescue Dog Day

National Rescue Dog Day is observed next on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 (156 days from today).

How many days until National Rescue Dog Day?

National

National Rescue Dog Day on May 20th recognizes all the benefits of allowing a four-legged canine to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life.

National Rescue Dog Day brings a promise of love, friendship, and kindness. Every year, millions of animals, especially dogs, are abandoned by their owners and left on the streets. Many of these animals are used to a sheltered life, and this makes it difficult for them to cope with the world on their own. Food sources are hard to find. Furthermore, humans and other animals are also a threat to these abandoned animals. Animal welfare organizations join in to help by providing shelter, housing, and more. Many of these organizations also encourage people to adopt these dogs, giving them a new home and creating more space for other dogs in the camp. Adoption, or even just fostering, will help people and animals in the long run.

History of National Rescue Dog Day

National Rescue Dog Day on May 20th was founded by Lisa Wiehebrink. She is an author and founder of “Tails That Teach”. Much of Wiehebrink's work revolves around humans and their connection to animals. Her books, targeted at children, talk about the value of compassion, unconditional love, patience, empathy, and more. She believes that instilling in children good qualities towards animals will help them later when they treat people as adults. Wiehebrink got the idea for the day after she rescued her dog Cooper and several others in 2009.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a nonprofit founded in 1866, more than three million dogs enter the shelter each year. Many of these dogs are also the result of overpopulation due to the dogs not being killed or neutered. Dogs have a lot of trouble going out. They do not have access to proper food, shelter and safety. Furthermore, they suffer from human cruelty in the form of human abuse and being run over by vehicles. However, once these dogs are rescued and cared for and loved, they can be adopted. Rescue dogs can make great friends, teachers, and helpers, especially service dogs. They can also provide emotional support to people with mental issues related to depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more. In addition, young children can learn to provide care, love and affection for other living things through caring for rescue dogs, as the Wiehebrink campaign relates to National Rescue Dog Day.

Regardless of their size, color, or breed, dogs will find a way to snuggle, grab, or beg their way into your heart. You will have a hard time scratching one ear.

Rescue dogs often overcome harsh obstacles. And yet, they offer the same comfort, security, and friendship as family pets. Rescue dogs are capable of so much more. With training, they contribute to the independence of the disabled as service animals and provide comfort to the elderly. In these cases, they become our eyes, ears, or feet as well as our best friends.

Rescue dogs also offer many therapeutic benefits. Children, adolescents, and adults with autism can benefit from the services provided by trained rescue dogs. As emotional support companions, rescue dogs help alleviate anxiety, depression, and PTSD in the military or those with mental illness.

They are also excellent teachers. Rescue dogs show children care and kindness. Rescue dogs can even be trained to rescue us from dangerous situations or help investigate the cause of a fire.

When it comes to four-legged friends, they improve the human condition by leaping, barking, and productivity. It's hard to imagine a more worthy, helpful companion. Time to reward them with a delicious treat!

Some truths about animal cruelty that will blow your mind

  • Dogs are the most abused

Of all the animals that face abuse and neglect, 65% are dogs, making them the most abused animals.

  • Domestic violence and animal abuse

Animal abuse often goes hand in hand with domestic violence as 71% of domestic violence cases also involve animal abuse.

  • Three million mink killings

In the United States, three million mink are killed for their fur each year.

  • Animals hoard victims

One of the worst forms of animal abuse is animal hoarding, and each year, approximately 250,000 animals are victims of animal hoarding in the United States.

  • Sloths die from travel

Most sloths, caught for tourism, usually die within six months of being kept in captivity.

Why National Rescue Dog Day be loved

  • It's a celebration of dogs

Popular culture often talks about dog loyalty. In addition, dogs are also quite popular because of their friendliness and love for nature. These qualities and more require a tribute to the dogs and what they symbolize.

  • It is a celebration of the friendship between animals and humans

One of the main purposes of the day is to encourage and foster friendship between humans and animals. By making friends with animals, humans can learn the meaning of patience and unconditional love.

  • It's a celebration of empathy

Empathy is a much-needed, timeless quality. Understanding someone's struggles and pain in life and just being with them is one of the greatest gifts a human can give to another person. This is why, whether you choose to adopt, foster, or volunteer your time with a rescue dog, you will greatly benefit that animal's emotional well-being.

How to celebrate National Rescue Dog Day

  • Adopt/foster a dog

A great way to celebrate National Rescue Dog Day effectively is by adopting or fostering a rescue dog. You will provide a safe place filled with love and kindness to animals and in return you will receive unconditional love and friendship.

  • Volunteer at a shelter

Volunteer your service and time at a rescue dog shelter. This is the second best way to celebrate this day. You can love and care for the dogs by walking them or playing a game or two of holding them, or feeding them during mealtimes, and so on.

  • Consciousness spreads

Do not forget spreading awareness about National Rescue Dog Day by using the social media with the hashtags like #NationalRescueDogDay. Start a campaign conversation with others.

Observed

National Rescue Dog Day has been observed annually on May 20th.

Dates

Saturday, May 20th, 2023

Monday, May 20th, 2024

Tuesday, May 20th, 2025

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

Thursday, May 20th, 2027

Founded by

Tails That Teach, Inc. in February 2018

Also on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025

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