Give a Dog a Bone Week takes place during the first full week of August, from Sunday, August 2 to Saturday, August 8 in 2026. This observance aims to feed stray animals and the pets of homeless people, encouraging donations for pet food and health checks. Donate to a local shelter, volunteer your time, or consider adopting a rescued pup.
Want to sponsor Give a Dog a Bone Week? Learn how
Expected Give a Dog a Bone Week Deals
As a cause-driven observance, Give a Dog a Bone Week focuses on fundraising and community support rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the ASPCA and Humane Society often partner with pet supply retailers such as PetSmart and Petco for donation drives, where customers can round up purchases or donate directly. Pet food brands like Purina and Blue Buffalo may offer matching donation programs or special discounts on large bags of food for shelters. Local veterinary clinics might provide free or discounted health checks for homeless dogs. Look for opportunities to contribute through online campaigns, in-store donation bins, or adoption events at your local animal shelters. We will update this page with confirmed live donation drives and community events as August approaches.
Platform Guide for Give a Dog a Bone Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #GiveADogABoneWeek. Share heartwarming photos and videos of rescued dogs, shelter volunteers, or your own pet enjoying a treat. Encourage followers to donate or adopt.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #GiveADogABoneWeek. Create an event page for a local shelter’s donation drive or share stories of pets finding their forever homes. Engage with community groups.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #GiveADogABoneWeek. Tweet about the importance of pet welfare, share links to donation pages for animal charities, or highlight urgent needs at local shelters.
Give a Dog a Bone Week Hero
Henry Bergh
History of Give a Dog a Bone Week
Give a Dog a Bone Week is an initiative started by Pets of the Homeless. This is a national N.G.O. that works for the welfare of stray animals. The organization has been around since 2008. It has distributed more than 1.5 million pounds of pet supplies since then.
The concept of this initiative stemmed from the N.G.O’s founder’s personal experience. After she had moved to N.Y.C., Genevieve once noticed a homeless man with a mixed breed dog. The incident struck a chord with her. She wondered why a homeless person adopted a pet when he didn’t have a roof over his head. She came back home and researched the topic. She discovered from the National Coalition for the Homeless, that nearly 5-10% of homeless people in America had a dog/cat. In fact, the rate was as high as 25% in some states.
She figured that the homeless found comfort and friendship in these pets. They cared for them as well as they could. While people like Genevieve have the luxury of providing for their pets, the homeless aren’t as privileged to give their pets top-notch care. The realization made her want to do something. That’s how Feeding Pets of the Homeless was born. Genevieve’s N.G.O. not only provides food for homeless pets. It also helps pay for emergency veterinary care, pet crates, and wellness clinics for animal shelters. The organization also has a donation site where you can make donations. You can also contribute by buying their merchandise. It’ll only take you a few minutes to go through the site and do your bit for the needy.
Give a Dog a Bone Week timeline
Traditional shelters come into being in America to provide a humane way of tackling the stray animal problem.
Caroline Earle White, along with a group of women activists, establishes America’s first animal shelter in Bensalem, PA.
The Humane Society of the United States promotes the use of spay and neuter technology to reduce the number of stray animals.
Richard Avanzino, the then executive director of the San Francisco S.P.C.A., proposes the No Kill model to stop euthanasia.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Give a Dog a Bone Week
Local businesses can show their support for Give a Dog a Bone Week by organizing donation drives for local animal shelters, collecting pet food, blankets, and toys. Pet supply stores and groomers can offer discounted services for adopted pets or host ‘meet and greet’ events with adoptable dogs. Restaurants could host ‘dog-friendly’ patios with a portion of sales benefiting a local rescue. Veterinary clinics can offer free basic health checks or microchipping services for pets of homeless individuals, raising awareness and providing tangible support to the community’s most vulnerable animals.
Give a Dog a Bone Week FAQs
When is Give a Dog a Bone Week?
In 2026, Give a Dog a Bone Week runs from Sunday, August 2, through Saturday, August 8. This week-long observance is dedicated to supporting homeless and stray animals.
How many dogs are homeless in the U.S.?
Each year, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide, with about 3.1 million being dogs. Many more stray dogs live on the streets, highlighting the immense need for this week’s efforts.
What is the impact of pet homelessness?
Pet homelessness places a significant strain on animal shelters, often leading to overcrowding and limited resources. It also impacts public health and safety, as stray animals can spread disease or cause accidents. The emotional toll on communities is also considerable.
How can I help stray animals in my community?
You can help stray animals by donating to local shelters, volunteering your time, fostering a pet, or adopting. Reporting stray animals to animal control ensures they receive proper care. Spaying and neutering your own pets also helps reduce overpopulation.
How to Observe Give a Dog a Bone Week
Donate
Here’s your chance to do your bit for the stray pups and dogs in your neighborhood. The money you donate will help provide emergency veterinary care for the animals. You may also contribute in the form of pet supplies like toys, crates, food, and blankets.
Start a fundraiser
Do you know what could be even better than donating to feed pets? Starting a fundraiser! Ask your friends and acquaintances to pool in. One can make a difference, while a team can create a miracle.
Get the merch
Purchase a T-shirt endorsed by Pets of the Homeless to support this noble cause. The money raised from the purchase of this merchandise goes to the welfare of homeless pets.
5 Facts About Homeless Animals You Should Know
The number is huge
The U.S. alone has around 70 million stray animals.
Cats aren’t popular among pet lovers
Only 2-5% of cats from animal shelters are reclaimed by their guardians or adopted while almost 30% of dogs manage to find a new home.
Increased euthanasia
Due to lack of space and adopters, nearly 2.7 million animals at shelters are euthanized every year.
Decrease in pet adoption
The rate of pet adoption dropped by 36% in 2020 and 2021.
Animals raised in shelters are healthy
Only 1% of animals raised in shelters suffer critical illnesses.
Why Give a Dog a Bone Week is Important
Animals deserve your love
A little love and compassion go a long way! Animals in shelters deserve to be well-fed and taken care of. If you can’t adopt a pet, you can still make a difference by donating for their welfare.
It’s an act of kindness towards the homeless
By supporting this initiative by Pets of the Homeless, you’re not only doing good to stray animals but also to the homeless people who raise pets. The homeless cannot afford to provide their pets with nutritious meals or fun toys. Many lose their livelihoods and homes and still keep their pets, and they appreciate the help.
It’s a chance to volunteer
If you have been planning to try volunteering, this is a perfect opportunity for you. You could be a stray animal rescuer. You can spread awareness about animal protection. Otherwise, lead an educational program to control pet overpopulation.
Give a Dog a Bone Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 3–9 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2026 | August 2–8 | Sunday–Saturday |
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