Every month at Good Good Good, we plan upcoming good news content for our Instagram, Goodnewsletter, Goodnewspaper, podcast, website, and more. Our work is always centered on hopeful stories about people making a difference in the world — and action steps on how each of us can join in with that good work.
With so many holidays, awareness days, education weeks, and activism months happening all year long, we’ve been slowly collecting all of these events in a private internal calendar for years.
We made our Monthly Cause Awareness Calendar publicly available earlier this year. We’ve also published:
- The Ultimate Calendar of Heritage Months
- Disability Awareness Days Calendar
- LGBTQ+ Pride Days, Weeks, & Months Calendar
- Environmental Holidays and Sustainability Calendar
- Cancer Awareness Months Calendar
- Mental Health Days & Awareness Months Calendar
- Pet & Veterinary Holidays Calendar
And now we’re publishing our guide to animal and wildlife conservation-related days.
Our hope is this resource will help you or your organization bring attention to important issues and creatures all year long.
Where applicable, we've included resources around highlighted holidays — usually in the form of good news around particular topics — or action steps on how to make a difference. We encourage you to share them if you find them helpful.
We've worked hard to make this the most comprehensive collection of animal-related days and months on the internet. (We’re also collecting all of the environmental-related days in a separate calendar!) Always double-check dates, as organizers may occasionally change dates.
Bookmark this page and revisit it as often as you need. We'll continue to update it and add to it over time.
National & International Awareness Days for Animals & Pets
January
Days
National Pet Travel Safety Day - January 2nd
National Bird Day - January 5th
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s Birthday - January 8th
Learn about Dr. Gladys’ inspiring conservation efforts
National Save the Eagles Day - January 10th
National Dress Up Your Pet Day - January 14th
Dian Fossey’s Birthday - January 16th
Betty White’s Birthday - January 17th
Read about Betty White’s legacy of caring for animals
National Penguin Day - January 20th
National Squirrel Appreciation Day - January 21st
National Geographic Day - January 27th
Rattlesnake Roundup Day - January 28th
International Zebra Day - January 31st
Weeks & Months
Veganuary
National Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Walk Your Dog Month
The dog poop bag industry is full of greenwashing, but fortunately, we’ve put together a guide on compostable and sustainable dog poop bags and alternatives
National Train Your Dog Month
Unchain A Dog Month
February
Days
National Serpent Day - February 1st
Groundhog Day - February 2nd
Marmot Day - February 2nd
National Hedgehog Day - February 2nd
World Wetlands Day - February 2nd
Read these good news stories about wetlands.
National Cordova Ice Worm Day - February 3rd
National Golden Retriever Day - February 3rd
Western Monarch Day - February 5th
World Bonobo Day - February 14th
World Hippopotamus Day - February 15th
Steve Irwin’s Birthday - February 22nd
World Pangolin Day - Third Saturday of February
World Whale Day - Third Sunday of February
Learn how noise reduction can save whales
International Polar Bear Day - February 27th
Weeks & Months
Humpback Whale Awareness Month
Read good news about humpback whales
National Bird-Feeding Month
Pet Dental Health Month
Dog Training Education Month
National Cat Health Month
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
National Nestbox Week - February 14th to 21st
The Great Backyard Bird Count - Four-day event in February
National Justice for Animals Week - February 20th to 26th
Read our entire collection of dozens of good news stories about people making a difference for animals
Bird Health Awareness Week - February 20th to 26th
Homes for Birds Week - Second Week of February
National Invasive Species Awareness Week - Starts on the Last Monday of February
March
Days
World Seagrass Day - March 1st
Learn how the “Great Blue Wall” will help protect seagrass and the oceans
National Pig Day - March 1st
Meet Hamlet the Pig and a dozen other celebrity pet influencers
National Horse Protection Day - March 1st
Meet the man who has built prosthetics for birds, horses, sheep, camels, gazelles, and even elephants.
International Rescue Cat Day - March 2nd
World Wildlife Day - March 3rd
Read and share these activities and ideas to celebrate World Wildlife Day
National American Paddlefish Day - March 9th
Key Deer Awareness Day - March 11th
K9 Veterans Day - March 13th
International Day of Action for Rivers - March 14th
Meet the advocates working to give water legal rights
Save a Spider Day - March 14th
Buzzards Day - March 15th
International Day of Action Against Canadian Seal Slaughter - March 15th
National Panda Day - March 16th
Save the Florida Panther Day - Third Saturday in March
Taxonomist Appreciation Day - March 19th
World Sparrow Day - March 20th
World Frog Day - March 20th
World Rewilding Day - March 20th
Read the good news about rewilding projects happening across the UK
International Day of Forests - March 21st
Read the good news about a California redwood forest being returned to Indigenous guardianship
World Planting Day - March 21st
Read about the tree-planting initiative in Chicago supporting intersectional environmentalism
World Water Day - March 22nd
International Seal Day - March 22nd
World Meteorological Day - March 23rd
Listen to a podcast episode featuring Eric Holthaus, a meteorologist working to fight climate change
World Puppy Day - March 23rd
Manatee Appreciation Day - Last Wednesday of March
Earth Hour - Last Saturday of March
Weeks & Months
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Professional Pet Sitters Week - First Week of March
National Animal Poison Prevention Week - Third Week of March
April
Days
National Ferret Day - April 2nd
World Aquatic Animal Day - April 3rd
Read a good news story about how Sri Lanka is turning old buses into new homes for aquatic animals
Jane Goodall’s Birthday - April 3rd
Celebrate Jane Goodall’s birthday by reading her most famous inspirational quotes
World Rat Day - April 4th
World Stray Animals Day - April 4th
National Siamese Cat Day - April 6th
International Beaver Day - April 7th
Zoo Lovers Day - April 8th
Pygmy Hippo Day - April 8th
ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Day - April 10th
National Pet Day - April 11th
Read and share the ultimate guide on how to celebrate National Pet Day
World Hamster Day - April 12th
National Dolphin Day - April 14th
Save the Elephant Day - April 16th
Bat Appreciation Day - April 17th
Tuna Rights Day - April 21st
World Curlew Day - April 21st
Earth Day - April 22nd
Read and share the ultimate guide on how to celebrate Earth Day this year and explore the best quotes about Earth Day
International Pallas’s Cat Day - April 23rd
National Lost Dog Awareness Day - April 23rd
World Day for Animals in Laboratories - April 24th
World Penguin Day - April 25th
World Tapir Day - April 27th
Marine Mammal Rescue Day - April 27th
International Guide Dog Day - Last Wednesday of April
International Hyena Day - April 27th
Arbor Day - April 28th
Read our curated list of the best tree quotes — and read our review of Ecosia, the tech tool that helps you plant trees for free
National Animal Advocacy Day - April 30th
Explore our complete list of all animals — organized from A to Z
National Therapy Animal Day - April 30th
World Veterinary Day - Last Saturday of April
Learn about these inspiring famous veterinarians who inspire us to do good
Save the Frogs Day - Last Saturday of April
Weeks & Months
Earth Month
Explore and share the best ideas for how to celebrate Earth Month
National Frog Month
Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Month
Read and share the best quotes about stopping animal cruelty
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Adopt-a-Greyhound Month
National Wildlife Week - Week-long event in early April
National Dog Bite Prevention Week - Second Week of April
Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week - Third Week of April
International Dark Sky Week - Week-long event in April
Read about the French parkour athletes turning out lights — and how to protect animals from light pollution
Lab Animal Week - Week surrounding April 24th each year
May
Days
Save the Rhino Day - May 1st
World Tuna Day - May 2nd
International Leopard Day - May 3rd
Wild Koala Day - May 3rd
World Donkey Day - May 8th
World Migratory Bird Day - Second Saturday of May
Fintastic Friday - Second Friday of May
International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day - May 15th
National Sea Monkey Day - May 16th
World Bee Day - May 20th
Listen to this inspiring podcast with Bee Girl Sarah
Endangered Species Day - Third Friday of May
National Rescue Dog Day - May 20th
Read and share these reasons to adopt a rescue dog
World Dog Day - May 21st
Read good news about dogs
World Fish Migration Day - May 21st (Celebrated every other year)
International Day for Biological Diversity - May 22nd
World Turtle Day - May 23rd
Read this good news story about drones protecting turtles
World Otter Day - May 25th
National Alligator Day - May 29th
World Parrot Day - May 31st
Weeks & Months
Be Kind to Animals Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Learn about the inspiring work being done by the 'We Rate Dogs' community to support dogs with cancer and other medical problems
Gardening for Wildlife Month
Read about the water-guzzling yards getting a celebrity makeover
National Pet Week - First Week of May
Follow your new favorite pet influencers on social media
Puppy Mill Action Week - Starts the Monday before Mother’s Day
Be Kind to Animals Week - First Week of May
June
Days
National Trails Day - First Saturday of June
World Reef Day - June 1st
Meet the all-women conservation group working to protect our coral reefs
National Black Bear Day - First Saturday of June
International Corgi Day - June 4th
Seaweed Day - June 4th
Read the good news story about Maine harvesting more seaweed instead of lobster
National Animal Rights Day - First Sunday of June
Read and share the best quotes about animal rights
World Environment Day - June 5th
International Day for the Fight Against Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing - June 5th
June Bug Day - June 7th
World Oceans Day - June 8th
Read and share this guide on how to celebrate World Oceans Day
International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos - June 8th
Coral Triangle Day - June 9th
E.O. Wilson’s Birthday - June 10th
Learn about biologist E.O. Wilson’s contributions to our planet by reading his most famous quotes
International Lynx Day - June 11th
National Cougar Day - June 12th
Nature Photography Day - June 15th
World Sea Turtle Day - June 16th
Read this good news story about sea turtles
World Crocodile Day - June 17th
National American Eagle Day - June 20th
Ugliest Dog Day - June 20th
While not exactly dog-focused, check out this collection of ugly animals (and learn how to protect them)
World Giraffe Day - June 21st
World Camel Day - June 22nd
World Rainforest Day - June 22nd
Read these good news stories about Indigenous activists protecting rainforests
Pink Flamingo Day - June 23rd
Weeks & Months
Great Outdoors Month
National Pollinator Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
Ocean Week - Celebrated in early June
Week of the Philippine Eagle - June 4th to 10th
Bed Bug Awareness Week - First Full Week of June
Pet Appreciation Week - First Week of June
Animal Rights Awareness Week - Third Week of June
Read and share the best animal rights quotes
National Insect Week - Last Week of June
Fish Are Friends Not Food Week - Last Week of June
Rabbit Awareness Week - Last Week of June
July
Days
American Zoo Day - July 1st
Independence from Meat Day - July 4th
National Koi Day - July 7th
National Kitten Day - July 10th
Shark Awareness Day - July 14th
World Chimpanzee Day - July 14th
World Orca Day - July 14th
Celebration of the Horse Day - July 15th
World Snake Day - July 16th
Guinea Pig Appreciation Day - July 16th
National Urban Beekeeping Day - July 19th
World Nature Conservation Day - July 28th
Meet the world’s most famous animal conservationists
International Tiger Day - July 29th
Read the good news about Nepal’s huge successes with tiger conservation and endangered Siberian tigers bouncing back in China
World Ranger Day - July 31st
Read about Zimbabwe’s all-women rangers unit fighting poachers and poverty
Weeks & Months
National Bison Month
Read the good news about America’s bison making a comeback
Wild About Wildlife Month
Learn about the initiatives to take down livestock fences to help support wildlife
National Clean Beaches Week - July 1st to 7th
Learn about the YouTubers cleaning up beaches and the ocean through #TeamSeas
Shark Week - Week-long event in July
Coral Reef Awareness Week - Third Week of July
Learn about the combat diving veterans using their skills to protect coral reefs
National Zoo Keeper Week - Third Week of July
National Moth Week - Last Week of July
August
Days
International Clouded Leopard Day - August 4th
National Oyster Day - August 5th
Learn how oysters can be creatively used to clean the ocean
National Sea Serpent Day - August 7th
International Moon Bear Day - August 8th
Scottish Wildcat Day - August 8th
International Cat Day - August 8th
World Lion Day - August 10th
Mountain Day - August 11th
World Elephant Day - August 12th
Meet the biologist who became an ivory detective
World Hirola Day - August 12th
International Wolf Day - August 13th
World Lizard Day - August 14th
World Orangutan Day - August 19th
World Mosquito Day - August 20th
National Honey Bee Day - Third Sunday of August
International Bat Night - August 26th
International Whale Shark Day - August 30th
National Zoo Awareness Day - August 31st
Weeks & Months
National Catfish Month
September
Days
International Primate Day - September 1st
Japan Dolphins Day - September 1st
National Hummingbird Day - September 3rd
National Wildlife Day - September 4th
Amazon Rainforest Day - September 5th
National Iguana Awareness Day - September 8th
International Vulture Awareness Day - First Saturday of September
World Manta Day - September 17th
Zero Emissions Day - September 21st
International Red Panda Day - Third Saturday of September
International Golden Lion Tamarin Day - September 22nd
World Rhino Day - September 22nd
Read about the “smart park” protecting rhinos from poachers thanks to technology
National Elephant Appreciation Day - September 22nd
Bluebird of Happiness Day - September 24th
Fish Amnesty Day - Fourth Saturday of September
World Gorilla Day - September 24th
Read about how the population of endangered mountain gorillas has grown by 71% in a decade
National Public Lands Day - Fourth Saturday of September
Read and share this guide on how to celebrate National Public Lands Day.
World Environmental Health Day - September 26th
World Cassowary Day - September 26th
Alpaca Day - September 26th
National Shamu the Whale Day - September 26th
World Rivers Day - Last Sunday of September
Save the Koala Day - September 30th
Puppy Mill Awareness Day - Third Saturday of September
Weeks & Months
Animal Pain Awareness Month
National Save a Tiger Month
Good news! The number of endangered tigers has increased by 40%!
World Animal Remembrance Month
Sea Otter Awareness Week - Last Week of September
October
Days
World Habitat Day - First Monday of October
World Vegetarian Day - October 1st
International Raccoon Appreciation Day - October 1st
World Farm Animals Day - October 2nd
Read this unique good news story about… potty training cows
World Animal Day - October 4th
Feel more hopeful by reading good news stories about animals
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi - October 4th
Kindness To Animals Day - October 4th
Choose today to do a random act of kindness for animals or start thinking about next month’s World Kindness Day
National Badger Day - October 6th
World Octopus Day - October 8th
Indigenous People’s Day - October 11th
Learn about how conservation efforts are thriving thanks to Indigenous knowledge
National Pug Day - October 15th
Learn about how Doug the Pug is making a difference for kids with cancer
International Sawfish Day - October 17th
International Sloth Day - October 20th
Reptile Awareness Day - October 21st
Read about the good news about endangered land iguanas finally reproducing
International Wombat Day - October 22nd
International Snow Leopard Day - October 23rd
Freshwater Dolphin Day - October 24th
World Gibbon Day - October 24th
International Day of Climate Action - October 24th
National Mule Day - October 26th
World Lemur Day - Last Friday of October
Weeks & Months
National Vegetarian Month
World Habitat Awareness Month
Squirrel Awareness Month
World Animal Month
Bat Appreciation Week - October 24th to 31st
November
Days
World Vegan Day - November 1st
Listen to our podcast episode about how going vegan can change the world
World Jellyfish Day - November 3rd
National Bison Day - First Saturday of November
Read about how wild bison are back in the UK for the first time in thousands of years
World Numbat Day - First Saturday of November
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict - November 6th
National Take A Hike Day - November 17th
World Fisheries Day - November 21st
Read the good news story about land-based aquaculture startups that are producing healthier fish without polluting the sea
Alascattalo Day - November 21st
Humane Society Anniversary Day - November 22nd
Giving Tuesday - First Tuesday after Thanksgiving
Learn how to volunteer with or donate to animal-related organizations for Giving Tuesday (plus explore more ideas to get involved)
International Jaguar Day - November 29th
Weeks & Months
Native American Heritage Month
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by caring for animals and the earth
Adopt a Turkey Month
Manatee Awareness Month
Polar Bear Week - First Week of November
December
Days
International Cheetah Day - December 4th
Wildlife Conservation Day - December 4th
Meet these famous wildlife conservationists you may not know yet
National Llama Day - December 9th
International Animal Rights Day - December 10th
International Mountain Day - December 11th
Monkey Day - December 14th
Visit the Zoo Day - December 27th
Weeks & Months
Christmas Bird Count Week - Two-week period in December
If you're giving gifts this holiday season, explore these amazing gifts for animal lovers
Is this list missing a holiday or awareness event? Let us know. We want to ensure this list is comprehensive and inclusive.
