Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

National Adopt A Senior Pet Month
November

Adopt A Senior Pet Month – November 2025

Adopt A Senior Pet Month is celebrated during November, which reminds people of older cats and dogs that are in shelters and waiting to be adopted. Pets are the easiest way to bring warmth into your life. So if you are thinking about getting a pet, consider opening your heart to a senior animal. Puppies and kittens are cute, but adopting a senior animal can be a life-changing experience for you and that pet. Not only are older pets often easier to handle, but they are at least just as loyal and loving as the younger ones.

History of Adopt A Senior Pet Month

Many people walk into a shelter hoping to adopt a puppy or a kitten, while overlooking the older animals living in the same shelter. Older pets are seen as less desirable; however, they are often easier to adopt than younger animals. The ASPCA and petfinder.com founded Adopt a Senior Pet Month to help improve the perception surrounding senior pets. Their aim is to present senior animals as quality candidates for adoption.

Sadly, senior pets are often the last ones to be adopted from the shelter. Most never find a home and spend the rest of their lives caged inside a shelter kennel. They spend the longest amount of time at shelters, which also puts them at an increased risk of being euthanized.

One misconception older animals suffer from is that they are in shelters because of their destructive or bad behavior. Though this is far from the truth, there are many reasons why a pet would end up in a shelter. Many of these senior pets were once someone’s faithful companions. Changing home circumstances, financial restrictions, death, or relocation can have adverse effects on a pet’s life. These pets have much to offer, and they are usually adaptable. Younger pets can be adorable, but they also demand a lot of attention and can be destructive and very hard work to keep up with. Usually, an older pet can easily fit into your lifestyle and adapt well to a loving new home.

Adopt A Senior Pet Month timeline

1869
The First Animal Shelter

Caroline Earl starts the Women’s Branch of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals in Philadelphia.

1998
SPCA's Maddie’s Pet Adoption Center Opens Up

SPCA's Maddie’s Pet Adoption Center, housing adoptable dogs and cats in home-like settings instead of cages, opens.

2008
The Grey Muzzle Organization

Non-profit fundraising organization for senior dogs uses grants to provide specialized care for homeless senior dogs.

2021
No-Kill Shelter City

Los Angeles Animal Services officially becomes a ‘No-Kill Shelter City’, the largest city in the U.S. to achieve that rating.

Adopt A Senior Pet Month FAQs

What pet holidays are there in a year?

There are 175 pet holidays, including Squirrel Appreciation Day (January 21), National Specially-Abled Pets Day (May 3), and Ginger Cat Appreciation Day (September 1).  

Is there a National Dog Day?

National Dog Day on August 26 encourages people to own all kinds of dogs. 

What is the age for a senior dog?

Small dogs are considered senior at age 11, medium-sized dogs at 10 years old, and large dogs at the age of seven.

How To Celebrate Adopt A Senior Pet Month

  1. Adopt a senior pet

    If you are thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family, then perhaps you could open your home and your heart to an older dog or cat in need. Visit the nearest shelter to adopt a senior pet and help save a life.

  2. Encourage senior pet adoption

    Persuade people to adopt senior pets. If anyone in your friends and family is planning to adopt a pet, then encourage them to adopt older animals who are in desperate need of a home.

  3. Volunteer at a shelter

    Financial restrictions, long working hours, or sometimes even unfriendly living spaces can shatter our dreams of having a loving pet in our homes. Thankfully, there is more than one way to show your love for animals, so volunteer at a local pet shelter and help out in any way you can.

5 Adorable Facts About Senior Pets

  1. They grow old so fast

    In general, dogs and cats are considered seniors between the ages of seven and ten years.

  2. Old pet, new tricks

    Contrary to popular belief, old pets can learn new routines, skills, and habits as they adapt to a new family.

  3. Senior pets need exercise as well

    Exercise can help slow degenerative joint disease and keep your pet at a healthy weight.

  4. Older pets are super friendly

    Older pets often bond with people more quickly than their younger counterparts, as they already know how to get along with other pets and different people.

  5. Beds for senior pets

    There are ‘orthopedic’ beds specially made for senior pets.

Why We Love Adopt A Senior Pet Month

  1. Senior pets make good companions

    Older dogs or cats are usually well-trained. When you adopt an older pet, you can expect them to be trained and follow basic commands. This makes them excellent companions for older people.

  2. They are very calm

    Older pets are usually calmer than puppies and kittens. They make excellent companions for people who don’t have the time and energy to run around after their pets. They are happier lounging around with their families and are more comfortable with a relaxing day-to-day routine.

  3. Adopting a senior pet means saving a life

    Cute kittens and puppies have an easier time getting adopted, unlike senior animals, who are often the last ones to find a home. This puts them at greater risk in the shelters. So when you adopt a senior pet, you’re truly saving a life!

Adopt A Senior Pet Month dates

Year Date Day
2025 November 1 Saturday
2026 November 1 Sunday
2027 November 1 Monday
2028 November 1 Wednesday
2029 November 1 Thursday
November
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
 
 
National Fig Week
National Medical Cannabis Week
Pushkar Camel Fair Pushkar
World Communication Week
All Saints Day
All Saints Day (Spain)
Anniversary of the Revolution
Antigua Independence Day
Calan Gaeaf
Coronation Day of His Majesty the King
D. Hamilton Jackson Day
Extra Mile Day
Haryana Day
Haryana Day
International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day
Kannada Rajyothsava
Karnataka Rajyotsava Day
Kut
National Author's Day
National Biologic Coordinators Day
National Bison Day
National Brush Day
​National Calzone Day
National Cinnamon Day
National Cinnamon Day
National Cook For Your Pets Day
National Deep Fried Clams Day
National Deep Fried Clams Day
National Family Literacy Day
National Pâté Day
National Vinegar Day
Prime Meridian Day
Puducherry Liberation Day
Scented Candle Day
World Numbat Day
World Vegan Day
National Adopt A Senior Pet Month
Adopt A Senior Pet Month
Adopt a Turkey Month
Aviation History Month
Aviation History Month
Banana Pudding Lovers Month
Bladder Health Month
COPD Awareness Month
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Erectile Dysfunction Awareness Month
Family Stories Month
Family Stories Month
Filipino Values Month
Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
Library and Information Services Month
Long-term Care Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Manatee Awareness Month
Manatee Awareness Month
Military Family Month
Military Family Month
National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
National Children’s Month
National Consciousness Month for Punctuality and Civility
National Diabetes Month
National Entrepreneurship Month
National Entrepreneurship Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Literacy Month
National Fun with Fondue Month
National Gratitude Month
National Healthy Skin Month
National Home Care and Hospice Month
National Inspirational Role Models Month
National Life Writing Month
National Marrow Awareness Month
National Native American Heritage Month
National Novel Writing Month
National Pepper Month
National Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Month
National Pomegranate Month
National Prevent a Litter Month
National Raisin Bread Month
National Repair Done Right Month
National Rice Awareness Month
National Roasting Month
National Roasting Month
National Scholarship Month
No-Shave November
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Pet Diabetes Month
Philippine Book Development Month
PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
Traditional and Alternative Health Care Month
Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.