National Lost Dog Awareness Day

Categories:: Animal
Tags:: Dog Pet
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every April 23
Holiday emoji:: 🐕

National Lost Dog Awareness Day on April 23 champions the vital work of organizations dedicated to finding missing pets. Discover proactive steps to keep your dog safe, support search efforts, and help bring stray dogs back home.

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History
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FAQs
Importance
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Expected National Lost Dog Awareness Day Deals

National Lost Dog Awareness Day is a cause-driven observance, focusing on fundraising and community support rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the ASPCA, Lost Dogs of America, and local animal shelters often run donation drives, adoption events, and awareness campaigns. Pet supply retailers such as PetSmart and Chewy may partner with shelters for in-store or online donation matching programs, or offer discounts on microchipping services and GPS trackers. Veterinary clinics might promote free or reduced-cost microchipping on or around this day. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as April 23 approaches, encouraging support for these crucial efforts.

Platform Guide for National Lost Dog Awareness Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #LostDogAwarenessDay. Share heartwarming reunion stories or tips for preventing lost pets with compelling visuals.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #LostDogAwarenessDay. Create a community post asking for local success stories or advice.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #LostDogAwarenessDay. Share actionable advice for finding a lost dog or statistics on pet safety to raise awareness.

National Lost Dog Awareness Day Hero

Kathy Pobloskie

Kathy Pobloskie is the co-founder of Lost Dogs of America, a national organization that has been instrumental in reuniting countless lost dogs with their owners since 2014. Her dedication stems from personal experience and a passion for leveraging social media and community networks to maximize search efforts. Pobloskie's work has transformed how many communities approach finding lost pets, emphasizing proactive steps and widespread communication.

History of National Lost Dog Awareness Day

Our pets are our friends and companions, because of this, they should be protected. Our dogs, as playful and loyal as they may be, are equally as curious and sometimes their adventures lead them to wander too far from home.

Every two seconds, a pet in the U.S. becomes lost, and one-third of all dogs in America are reported missing at least once in their lifetime. Some research indicates that 80% of those lost pets are never reunited with their families, with the majority being placed in shelters and eventually euthanized.

There are different ways to prevent your dog from getting lost in the first place and ensure their safe return home if they do. Some of these are; making sure your home is fenced or that your dog is always on a leash when outside. It is recommended that you tag your pet, microchip them, and also keep their records (which include your current contact number and address) updated. In the unfortunate case that your pet has gone missing, there are several organizations whose sole mission it is to find and return lost pets. One of them is the Lost Dogs of America, who are also credited with creating this day.

The Lost Dogs of America was established in 2011 with the mission of reuniting lost dogs with their families. In 2014, the director of Lost Dogs Illinois, Susan Taney, Marilyn Knapp Litt of Lost Dogs Texas, and the director of Lost Dogs of Wisconsin, Kathy Pobloskie, came together to create National Lost Dogs Awareness Day. Since then, it has helped thousands of dogs find their way home.

National Lost Dog Awareness Day timeline

1866

Keeping Our Animals Protected

Henry Bergh establishes The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.)

1869

The First Shelter

The very first animal shelter is built in the U.S.

2011

Bringing Lost Dogs Home

The Lost Dogs of America is founded.

2014

United We Stand

National Lost Dogs Awareness Day is created by the directors of Lost Dogs Illinois, Wisconsin, and Texas.

National Lost Dog Awareness Day FAQs

When is National Lost Dog Awareness Day?

In 2027, National Lost Dog Awareness Day will be observed on Friday, April 23, continuing its mission to raise awareness for pet safety and recovery.

How many dogs go missing each year?

While exact figures vary, studies suggest that roughly one in three pets will go missing at some point in their lives. For dogs, this often translates to millions of incidents annually, underscoring the importance of microchipping and identification.

What are the best ways to prevent a dog from getting lost?

To minimize the risk of a lost dog, ensure permanent identification via microchip and visible tags. Additionally, consider GPS trackers for active dogs, maintain a secure home environment, and practice strong leash etiquette during walks. Spaying or neutering can also reduce wandering tendencies.

What should I do if my dog goes missing?

Upon realizing your dog is lost, act quickly: contact local animal control, shelters, and vet clinics. Utilize online lost pet registries and social media platforms like Facebook for community alerts. Physically search your immediate area and leave familiar items like their bed or a worn shirt outside your home.

How To Observe National Lost Dog Awareness Day

Microchip your dog
Microchips are tracking devices that are fixed to the collar or tag of your dog. These chips help you locate your dog, in the event that they go missing, making it easier to find them.
Update your dog’s records
Recent records of pets increase their chances of being found. Take the time to update this information that is key to your dog’s safe return
Help find a missing dog
One in three dogs goes missing in their lifetime. Have you seen fliers of a missing dog or animal in your neighborhood? Support efforts of reuniting pets with their owners by spreading the word, or even reaching out to the affected family for help or the Lost Dogs of America for help.

5 Surprising Facts About Missing Pets You Should Know

They are more common than you think
A third of all pets go missing in their lifetime.
They make up the majority in shelters
Twice as many pets that end up in shelters come in as strays.
A small number of them are returned
Only about 15% to 20% of dogs and 2% of cats are reunited with their family.
Most of them stray beyond the neighborhood
49% of missing dogs and 30% of cats are found in the neighborhood that they come from.
A large number of pets end up stolen
Each year, millions of dogs and cats are taken without permission.

Why National Lost Dog Awareness Day Is Important

It raises awareness and offers support
A missing dog causes a lot of distress to affected families because their pet is in danger of possible harm. National Lost Dogs Awareness Day prioritizes the safety of our dogs by raising awareness and encouraging active involvement in helping pet owners find their lost dogs.
It preserves the life of a pet
Although the majority of missing pets end up in shelters, the rest are either stolen, become strays, or worst of all, lose their lives. Unadopted or unclaimed pets in shelters also end up being euthanized to create space for new animals.
It encourages more security for pets
National Lost Dogs Awareness Day not only raises awareness around missing pets, but it also encourages dog owners to be more cautious regarding the safe-keeping of their dogs. This day highlights the need to apply security measures to decrease the likelihood of your pet going missing.