Wolfenoot

Categories:: Animal
Tags:: Dog Festivities Wildlife
Where:: New Zealand
Date change rule:: Every November 23
Holiday emoji:: 🐺

Wolfenoot lights up the calendar every November 23, celebrating the Spirit of the Wolf and the universal virtue of kindness. This unique holiday, created by a seven-year-old in New Zealand, encourages showing extra affection to dogs, our wolf descendants. Join the global pack: bake dog treats, donate to animal shelters, or simply give your furry friend an extra hug.

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History
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Businesses
FAQs
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Expected Wolfenoot Deals

As Wolfenoot grows in popularity, expect pet retailers and brands to embrace this fun-loving holiday with special promotions. In 2026, look for deals from retailers like Petco and PetSmart on dog food, toys, and accessories. Online stores such as Chewy and BarkBox may offer discounts on subscriptions or themed merchandise. Smaller, independent pet boutiques might host local adoption events or offer special ‘Wolfenoot’ discounts on treats and gear. Even human-focused brands like Starbucks or local cafes could offer dog-friendly treats or special ‘puppuccinos.’ We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 23 approaches.

Platform Guide for Wolfenoot

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #Wolfenoot. Share heartwarming photos of your dogs, wolf-themed crafts, or acts of kindness towards animals.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #Wolfenoot. Film your dog’s reaction to special treats, create a ‘Spirit of the Wolf’ transformation video, or showcase your animal rescue efforts.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #Wolfenoot. Share stories of kindness, organize local dog park meetups, or promote animal shelter donation drives.

Wolfenoot Hero

Jax Goss

Jax Goss is the seven-year-old New Zealand boy credited with inventing Wolfenoot. His imaginative creation, a holiday celebrating the Spirit of the Wolf and kindness, quickly captured global attention after his mother shared his idea online. Jax's simple concept sparked a worldwide phenomenon, inspiring countless people to show extra love to their dogs and embrace acts of goodwill.

History of Wolfenoot

According to the inventor of this holiday, on this day the Spirit of the Wolf brings and hides small gifts around the house for everyone. Those who have been or are kind to dogs receive better gifts than anyone else. To mark this holiday, you should eat roast meat (because wolves eat meat) and cake decorated to resemble a full moon.

His mom helped him develop the idea and turn it into an annual event. The boy is an animal lover who has been exposed to various conservation efforts from a young age. Because of the public’s overnight delight in the holiday and the rise of imposter social media accounts offering knockoff merchandise, Goss quickly formed a nonprofit organization. She also sponsored a contest for a logo design and set up official merchandise at wolfenoot.com/wolfeloot.

All proceeds from Wolfenoot initiatives go to the charity the winning logo designer selected — Wolf Park, a research and education facility in Battle Ground, near Lafayette. According to Wolf Park’s events coordinator Caity Judd, money from Wolfenoot merchandise purchases will be dedicated to a multiple-year, million-dollar-plus re-fencing project at the Park. The facility was founded by Purdue University Professor Dr. Erich Klinghammer in 1972 and houses coyotes, foxes, and bison.

Goss encourages people to celebrate the holiday in ways that they feel most comfortable with. Vegetarians don’t have to eat meat. They can make vegetarian or vegan pies instead. She implores people to go ahead and interpret Wolfenoot however they would like. Her emphasis is that the one thing that needs to remain is the expression of kindness. The culture of kindness and giving each other small presents has somehow gotten lost. We need to think about what the person would like and look for something that will please them.

Wolfenoot timeline

1977—1978

Wolves Poisoned

Illegal poisoning campaigns are started in several places in Canada to contain what the Alberta Fish and Game Association calls “an apparent wolf population explosion” in 1974.

1987

Help For the Wolves

The Central Rockies Wolf Project is founded as a non-profit agency dedicated to field research projects on wolf population recovery near Banff National Park and its environs.

2006

Wolf Massacre

Wolves are shot from helicopters in the west-central foothills during winter as part of the Alberta Woodland Caribou Recovery Plan.

2019—2020

Wolf Population Management

Wolf culling remains a management component by the Alberta government to stabilize certain woodland caribou herds within the province.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Wolfenoot

Local businesses can embrace Wolfenoot by hosting pet-friendly events or offering special promotions on November 23. Pet stores could organize ‘pup-up’ adoption days with local shelters, offering discounts on new pet supplies for adopted animals. Bakeries might create wolf or dog-themed treats, while cafes could offer ‘puppuccinos’ for canine companions. Even non-pet-related businesses can participate by encouraging donations to animal welfare charities or simply allowing well-behaved dogs in their establishments for the day, fostering a spirit of kindness.

Wolfenoot FAQs

When is Wolfenoot?

Wolfenoot 2026 falls on Monday, November 23. This unique holiday, celebrating the Spirit of the Wolf and kindness, is observed annually on the same date.

How many dogs are there in the world?

While exact numbers vary, it’s estimated there are roughly 900 million to 1 billion dogs worldwide, making them one of the most common domesticated animals. Many of these beloved companions are celebrated on Wolfenoot.

What is the origin of Wolfenoot?

Wolfenoot originated in 2018 when a seven-year-old New Zealand boy told his mother about a holiday he had created. His mom, Jax Goss, shared the idea on Twitter, where it quickly went viral and gained international traction.

What is the difference between a wolf and a dog?

While dogs are descendants of wolves, key differences exist in their behavior, genetics, and physical traits. Wolves are wild animals with stronger predatory instincts and are generally larger with more pronounced teeth, while dogs have been selectively bred for various traits and companionship.

Wolfenoot Activities

Eat meat
In appreciation of wolves and other canines, the Wolfenoot tradition encourages people to eat meat on this day. Whip up your fave meat dish or try a new recipe.
Donate to animal-related charities
Animal welfare is central to this holiday. Therefore, donating to your local animal shelter is a fantastic way to celebrate.
Post your dog on social media
Post a pic of your or a friend's dog on social media stating your appreciation for them. Use the hashtag #Wolfenoot to increase awareness about this day.

5 Interesting Facts About Wolves

Long-distance trekkers
Wolves roam long distances, sometimes up to 12 miles in a single day.
Two-month pregnancy
A wolf's gestation period is 63 days.
Largest of their kind
Wolves are the largest members of the dog family.
Canine dental formula
Adult wolves have 42 teeth.
Fast runners
Wolves can sprint from 36 to 38 miles for short distances.

Why We Love Wolfenoot

It promotes kindness to animals
The world would be a much better place if people were more kind to animals. Wolfenoot reminds us to treat animals with respect.
It’s an ode to creativity
This holiday wouldn't exist if Goss had dismissed her son's creativity. Wolfenoot honors the ingenuity that children have which makes the world livelier.
It creates unity
The Wolfenoot tale has garnered fans worldwide. They come together to share their passion for being kind to animals.