World Animal Remembrance Month – September 1, 2026

Expected World Animal Remembrance Month Deals

Throughout September, World Animal Remembrance Month inspires support for animal welfare and pet memorial services. Organizations like the ASPCA and the Humane Society often highlight pet loss resources and fundraising drives for their animal care initiatives. Pet memorial companies such as EverAfter and Pet Perennials may offer special discounts on cremation services, urns, and remembrance gardens. Retailers like Chewy and Petco might feature memorial products, personalized keepsakes, or donate a portion of sales to animal shelters. Many local veterinary clinics also host remembrance events or offer grief counseling resources during this time. We will update this page with confirmed live programs as September approaches.

History of World Animal Remembrance Month

When did we start memorializing our pets? According to historians, this answer is the key that shows the evolving nature of animal-human relationships. And evolve it has. Imagine, back in the 19th century, people would simply dispose of dead pets and animals in local bodies of water or opt for a more practical solution and sell the bodies for skin and meat. To go from that to honor the animals we live with and love shows the change in societal structure as well. Humans eventually even decided to bury their pets, a change that began during the Victorian era in England, according to research. Animals of all kinds began to be seen as ‘family’ instead of simply ‘mouse catchers’ and ‘watchdogs’. Pet burials started trending in England and its colonies, although mentioning religion and the afterlife regarding animals was a big no-no.

Of course, these events were only for those who could afford them. Still, the role of animals as humans saw them was irrevocably changed after this period — in many parts of the world. This awareness spread to every corner, and while human-animal relations were controlled by culture and traditions, animals are widely recognized as emotional foundations across multiple societies.

The 20th century transformed the animal-human bond even more. Pet shampoos were a reality, and cats had litter boxes. Studies on pet health and diets were common, as was the growing realization that animals are critical to our planet’s health. Animals became revered figures and symbols. This isn’t all. Recent history tells us humans don’t fare very well after losing their animal counterparts and succumb to the worst ravages of grief. This situation is so prevalent that numerous studies have been conducted on the issues animal owners face after losing a pet.