Celebrating National Pet Week

National Pet Week takes place in May every year. It was created in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA and is meant to promote responsible pet ownership, the human-animal bond and to promote awareness of veterinary medicine. During this week pet owners are encouraged to take their pets to the vet for check-ups. To encourage owners to bring pets in, many vets and animal hospitals are discounting their rates. At this time the vet can make suggestions about diet, exercise and other health related issues.

National Pet Week is also a time to bring awareness to animal shelters. Each day, many stray pets are brought to shelters across the country. National Pet Week encourages people to visit shelters to adopt pets and help in any way they can. Many shelters and adoption organizations reduce adoption fees during the week to make it easier for people to adopt. If you can’t adopt, you can still help by volunteering at your local shelter.

The main goal of National Pet Week is to encourage responsible pet ownership by educating kids and adults. Because pets bring so much pleasure to peoples lives, it is important that we recognize them and share the experience of pet ownership with others.