This calendar contains the dates for a variety of celebrations from the birthdays of people who have done many great things to help animals and the environment to days honoring specific animals. Lesson plans for educators that encourage responsible pet care and promote a special day, week and month-long celebration are included, as well.
| January | February | March | April | May | June |
| July | August | September | October | November | December |
January 2009
5: National Bird Day (API)
- Bird Care
- Lesson Plans: Birds of a Nation - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
14: Albert Schweitzer’s Birthday
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on Albert Schweitzer.
19: National Penguin Awareness Day
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on penguins.
22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
- Lesson Plans:
Cat Litterature - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Evolution of the Purrfect Companion - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Is That How Cats Really Are - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
February 2009
All Month: National Prevent a Litter Month (HSUS)
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
All Month: Pet Dental Health Month (AVMA)
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
All Month: Responsible Pet Owners Month
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
1: Serpent Day
- Lesson Plans: In Defense of Snakes! - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
2: World Wetlands Day (EPA)
- Lesson Plans:
The Great Outdoors - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Watching Wildlife Where It Lives - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Wild Animals - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
2: Groundhog Day
- Groundhog Day Cyberhunt - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
9-15: Random Acts of Kindness Week (The Random Act of Kindness Foundation)
- Lesson Plans:
The Kind Giant - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Fostering Empathy - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
14: Pet Theft Awareness Day (Last Chance For Animals)
- Finding a Lost Pet
20: Love Your Pet Day
- Lesson Plan:
Pets and Their Needs - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Caring for a Pet (pdf)
23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
- Crunch and Munch - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
24: Spay Day (Doris Day Animal Foundation)
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
27: National Polar Bear Day
- Polar Bear Cyberhunt (pdf)
March 2009
All Month: Adopt-a-Rescued Guinea Pig Month
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for these books on guinea pigs
- ASPCA Pet Care Guides for Kids:
Guinea Pigs, Mark Evans
Guinea Pigs, Michaela Miller
I Love Guinea Pigs, Dick King-Smith
1: National Pig Day
- Piggy Back to the Internet - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
2: Read Across America Day (National Education Association)
- Visit our online children's bibliography
1-7: National Professional Pet Sitters Week
- Crayola® Creativity Central
14: Save a Spider Day
- Spiders on the "Web" - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
- Lesson Plan: Spin Your Own Web - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
15: Buzzard Day
20: First Day of Spring
- Lesson Plans:
The Great Outdoors - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Watching Wildlife Where it Lives - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
Home Sweet Home - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
A Prickle of Hedgehogs - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
- Check out our books on Spring:
Once Upon a Springtime, Jean Marzollo
Spring Song, Barbara Seuling
20: The Great American Meatout
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for the book Cooking with Herb.
20: International Earth Day (Earthsite)
- Lesson Plans: Living vs. Non-living - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on the environment and ecology.
22: International Day of the Seal
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on seals.
April 2009
All Month: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month (ASPCA)
- Animal Cruelty Prevention Month - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
- Why Do People Abuse Animals?
- How to Report Animal Cruelty
- Ten Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty
All Month: National Frog Month
- Plop! Hop! Slither and Swim (pdf)
2: National Ferret Day
3: Jane Goodall’s Birthday
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on Jane Goodall.
4: Tag Day (American Humane)
- Finding a Lost Pet
- Pet Safety ID (pdf)
10: ASPCA founded in 1866, our 141th Anniversary
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on Henry Bergh and the ASPCA.
- For celebration ideas, visit: www.aspca.org/aspcaday
March 31-April 3: ASPCA exhibiting at the Texas Library Association (TLA) Annual Conference, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
14: National Dolphin Day
Visit our online children’s bibliography www.aspca.org/bibliography for books on dolphins.
18: Pet Owner’s Independence Day
Lesson Plan: Pets and Their Needs - Microsoft Word | Adobe Acrobat
19-25: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week (HSUS)
- America’s Abuse Problem
- Kids and Cruelty
- Love and Learn
- Why Do People Abuse Animals
- What You Can Do To Help Stop Animal Cruelty
- How You Can Help Animals
19-25: National Pet ID Week
- Finding a Lost Pet
- Pet Safety ID (pdf)
20: Volunteer Recognition Day
- See Community Service/Service Learning Projects section for ways to help your local shelter.
25-26: National & Global Youth Service Day (Youth Service America)
- See Community Service/Service Learning Projects section for ways to help your local shelter.
21: John Muir’s Birthday
- Visit our online children’s bibliography, www.aspca.org/bibliography for books on John Muir.
19-25: National Wildlife Week
- Exotic Animals as Pets
- Wild Animals (pdf)
- Watching Wildlife Where It Lives (pdf)
19-25: World Week for Animals in Laboratories
- Using Animals in Product Testing
- Alternative to Dissection
- Animal Use in the Lab
- Operation Three Rs
22: Earth Day
24: World Laboratory Day
- Using Animals in Product Testing
- Alternative to Dissection
- Animal Use in the Lab
- Operation Three Rs
24: Arbor Day (The National Arbor Foundation)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography www.aspca.org/bibliography for books on the environment and ecology
25: World Penguin Day
26: International Day of the Dog
26: John Audubon’s Birthday
- In Praise of Pigeons (pdf)
- Birds of a Nation (pdf)
28: Hairball Awareness Day
28: World Veterinary Day (World Veterinary Association)
- Careers Working With Animals
May 2009
1: Save the Rhino Day
- Save the Rhinos Cyberhunt (pdf)
- Endangered Species
- Visit our online children’s bibliography www.aspca.org/bibliograpy for books on rhinos, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winners: Jubela and Our Secret, Siri Aang
3: Mayday for Mutts
- Crunch and Munch
- Dog Breed Geography
- Dog Care
3-9: Be Kind to Animals Week (AHA)
- The Kind Giant (pdf)
- Fostering Empathy (pdf)
- If Things Were a Little Different… (pdf)
- What’s Wrong with This Picture? (pdf)
3-7: ASPCA exhibiting at the International Reading Association (IRA) Conference, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
3-9: National Pet Week
- Dog Care
- Cat Care
- Guinea Pig Care
- Gerbil Care
- Rabbit Care
- Mouse Care
- Fish Care
- Rat Care
- Bird Care
- Hamster
- Caring for a Pet Newsletter (pdf)
- How Much Does it Cost to Care for a Pet?
5: National Teacher Day (NEA)
- Nominate your favorite teacher
9: International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD)
- Birds of a Nation (pdf)
9: Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (EARS)
- Emergency Preparedness Animalessons (pdf)
10: Mother’s Day
- A Prickle of Hedgehogs (pdf)
12-18: Reading is Fun (RIF)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography and Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award.
15-19: Marine Mammal Freedom Weekend
- Whale Watching Cyberhunt
17-23: National Dog Bite Prevention Week (AVMA)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on dogs and dog care.
23: World Turtle Day
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on turtles, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winners Interrupted Journey: Saving Endangered Sea Turtles and The Turtle Saver.
27: Rachel Carson’s Birthday
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on Rachel Carson.
28: Sierra Club founded in 1882
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on John Muir, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winner John Muir: My Life With Nature.
June 2009
All Month: Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month (ASPCA)
- Cat Care
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
- Cat Breed Geography (pdf)
- Cat Litterature (pdf)
- Evolution of a Purrfect Companion (pdf)
- Is That How Cats Really Are (pdf)
- Cats, Cats, and More Cats (pdf)
- Help Me Find a Home (pdf)
All Month: National Zoo and Aquarium Month
- Visit a zoo or aquarium accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
1-6: Pet Appreciation Week
Lesson Plans:
- Pets and Their Needs (pdf)
- Pets versus Wild Animals (pdf)
- Animals in Our Community (pdf)
- How Much Does it Cost to Care for a Pet? (pdf)
5: World Environment Day
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on the environmentalism and ecology, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Award winner Earth Mother.
8: World Pet Memorial Day
- Coping with Pet Loss
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on pet loss, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winners Jasper’s Day and Saying Goodbye to Lulu.
14-20: Animal Rights Awareness Week
- Using Animals in Product Testing
- Alternative to Dissection
- Animal Use in the Lab
- How Animal Fur Works (pdf)
- Fur Animal Testing
19: Take Your Dog to Work Day (Pet Sitters International)
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers
- Road to Domestication
21: Father’s Day
- A Prickle of Hedgehogs (pdf)
20: American Bald Eagle Day
- Endangered Species
- Endangered Species Questionnaire (pdf)
21: First Day of Summer
- Pets in Hot Weather
July 2009
All Month: Dog House Repairs Month
All Month: Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month
- Rabbit Care: Rabbits, Rabbits and more Rabbits
- Name that Rabbit (pdf)
- Rabbit: Cyberhunt (pdf)
- Rabbit: Cyberhunt (Answers)
9-15: Exhibiting at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference American Library Association Conference, Chicago, IL
TBA: Ninth Annual ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award Ceremony
- Cocktail Reception from 5:30-7:30pm, Venue TBA, Chicago, IL
19-25: Cow Appreciation Week
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on farm animals, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Award winner Defiance.
August 2009
15: National Homeless Animal Day (International Society for Animal Rights)
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
- Animal Shelters 411 (pdf)
24: Animal Welfare Act enacted 1966
25: National Park Service established 1916
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on John Muir, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winner John Muir: My Life With Nature.
26: National Dog Day
29: Henry Bergh’s Birthday (ASPCA founder)
- ASPCA History
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on Henry Bergh and the ASPCA.
September 2009
All Month: New School Year
- Alternative to Dissection
- Science Projects
- Back to School Bookmark (pdf)
- Create a Wildlife Montage (pdf)
All Month: National Save the Tiger Month
- Tiger facts
- Exotic Animals as Pets
5: Hummingbird Day
12: National Iguana Awareness Day
- Exotic Animals as Pets
13: National Pet Memorial Day
- Coping with Losing a Pet
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on pet loss, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winners Jasper’s Day and Saying Goodbye to Lulu
15: Puppy Mills Awareness Day
16: National Wildlife Ecology Day (National Wildlife Federation)
- Watching Wildlife Where it Lives
- Create a Wildlife Montage
19: International Coastal Cleanup Day (The Ocean Conservancy)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on conservation.
13-19: Farm Animal Awareness Week (HSUS)
Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on farm animals.
20-26: National Dog Week
- Dog Care
- Road to Domestication
- Dog Breed Geography (pdf)
20-26: National Deaf Dog Week
- Dog Care
21: UN Peace Day
22: Elephant Appreciation Day
- Pondering Pachyderms (pdf)
- Elephant Safari (pdf)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on elephants, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award winners Saving Lily and Elephant Rescue.
23: Dogs and Politics Day
- Presidential Pet Museum
22: First Day of Autumn
- Watching Wildlife Where it Lives (pdf)
29: National Goose Day
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on geese, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Award winner Goose’s Story.
October 2009
All Month: Adopt a Shelter dog Month (ASPCA)
- Dog Care
- Road to Domestication
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
- Making Sense of Scents (pdf)
- Dog Bite Prevention Activity Sheet
All Month: National Cut Out Dissection Month (PETA)
- Using Animals in Product Testing (pdf)
- Alternative to Dissection
- Animal Use in the Lab
All Month: Vegetarian Awareness Month (Earthsave)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for the book Cooking with Herb.
All Month: National Animal Safety and Protection Month (Emergency Animal Rescue Service)
- Emergency Preparedness Animalessons (pdf)
All Month: National Pet Wellness Month
1: World Vegetarian Day (Earthsave)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for the book Cooking with Herb.
2: World Farm Animals Day
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on farm animals. Also visit www.aspca.org/farmanimals
2: Mohandas K. Gandhi’s Birthday
- Biography and photos
4: World Animal Day
- Visit the World Animal Day website.
4: St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for the book Blessing of the Animals and books on St. Francis of Assisi.
4: World Pets' Day
4-10: Animal Welfare Week (AVMA)
11-17: National Squirrel Awareness Week
- Watching Wildlife Where it Lives (pdf)
11-17: National Wildlife Refuge Week (US Fish and Wildlife)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on wildlife and the environment.
- Watching Wildlife Where it Lives (pdf)
18-24: National Veterinary Technician Week
- Career - So You Love Animals (doc)
- Careers PowerPoint Presentation (ppt)
18-24: Wolf Awareness Week (Defenders of Wildlife)
- Road to Domestication
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on wolves, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winner Is My Dog a Wolf?
16: National Feral Cat Day
- Pet Population: Behind the Numbers (pdf)
- Cat Litterature (pdf)
18-24: National Rainforest Week (Save The Rainforest)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on the rainforest.
21: Marine Mammal Protection Act 1972
- Endangered Species
- Endangered Species Questionnaire (pdf)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on marine mammals.
21: Reptile Awareness Day
- In Defense of …Snakes! (doc)
- Leatherback Turtle
- Xenosaur
- Exotic Animals as Pets
23: National Mole Day
25: Make a Difference Day
- See Community Service/Service Learning Projects section for ways to help your local shelter.
27: Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, 1980 est. “dolphin-safe tuna’ labeling.
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on dolphins.
31: Halloween
- To the Bat Cave! Cyberhunt (pdf)
- Spin Your Own Web (pdf)
- Finders, Beepers (pdf)
November 2009
All Month: Adopt a Turkey Month (Farm Sanctuary)
- Turkey Trot Cyberhunt (pdf)
All Month: Adopt a Senior Pet Month
- Senior Pets (pdf)
1: World Vegan Day (The Vegan Society)
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for the book Cooking with Herb.
1-7: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (HSUS)
- Animal Shelters 411 (pdf)
- Service Projects
13: World Kindness Day
- The Kind Giant (pdf)
- Fostering Empathy (pdf)
21: National Family Volunteer Day (Points of Light Foundation and Alliance for Children & Families)
- See Community Service/Service Learning Projects section for ways to help your local shelter.
26: Thanksgiving
- Turkey Trot Cyberhunt (pdf)
- Also visit www.aspca.org/farmanimals
27: Fur Free Friday
- Fur Article
- How Animal Fur Works (pdf)
December 2009
All Month: Hold a fundraising sale for your local animal shelter for the holidays.
- Make a Cat Toy and Bake Dog Biscuits
- Crunch and Munch (pdf)
- Pounce Patrol (pdf)
3: World Conservation Day
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on conservation.
9: Horse Protection Act 1978
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on horses, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winners Animalways Horses, One Unhappy Horse, Cherry Hill’s Horse Care for Kids, and Magnus at the Fire.
10: Festival For the Souls of Dead Whales
- Whale Watching Cyberhunt (pdf)
15: Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act 1971
- Facts about wild horses
- Visit our online children’s bibliography for books on horses, including ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award winners Animalways Horses, One Unhappy Horse, Cherry Hill’s Horse Care for Kids, and Magnus at the Fire.
21: First Day of Winter
- How do animals spend the winter?
- Cold Weather Tips
- Fur Article
- How Animal Fur Works (pdf)
28: Endangered Species Act signed in 1973
- Endangered Species
- Endangered Species Questionnaire (pdf)