May is National Pet Month! We know you love your pet, and this is the perfect time to show them. Whether you have fish, rabbits, cats, dogs, or pigs, there are plenty of things you can do to show your pet how much you love them and encourage love for pets and animals in general.
Here are some ideas on how to celebrate national pet month with your pet.
1. Throw a Party
The best way to celebrate anything is with a good old-fashioned party. Naturally, you will create a pet or wildlife theme for the party.
Pick a venue outdoors or another place where everyone can bring their pets. Ask people what animal they plan on bringing with them in case you need to make special accommodations.
You should have plenty of food and drinks for both the humans and the pets. You also need to have plenty of things for all of your guests to do.
This is a great way to make a hyper local impact!
2. Donate/Volunteer at a Pet Center
As you probably know, it’s not just enough to celebrate pets. You should also show how much you love them by giving your time.
Find a local animal shelter in your area and volunteer. While it’s good to do it during national pet month, you should consider continuing your volunteer service for the rest of the year.
If you absolutely have no time to volunteer, consider other ways you can help. One of the easiest ways is to write a check. The shelter needs money to care for these animals, and you can help make a difference.
3. Educate Yourself on Your Pet
This is a good time for you to learn more about your pet. Read books and articles on your current animal friend. You may learn things you never knew. This new knowledge can help you give your pet a better life.
You can also help educate other people about your pet. This is especially beneficial if you have a pet with a bad reputation, such as a pit bull. Educating people about the serious misconceptions about your pet can encourage them to treat the animals properly when they encounter them.
This is something we’re passionate about doing with our fish! Some people think they just need a fish bowl and that fish have short lifespans. We help to educate fish owners on our blog, VIVOFISH.
4. Buy Your Pet a Gift
You probably expect a gift or two on your birthday. You should give your pet a gift during National Pet Month!
If your pet likes to look cute, you can get them a cute collar or a new outfit. (Although generally speaking, you only want to dress animals up if they seem to enjoy it. It’s not fair to dress them up if they absolutely hate it.)
Other gifts include new treats, a new memory foam bed, or a new toy. Bring your pet with you to the pet store to let them tell you what they really want.
5. Adopt a New Pet
How many pets is too many pets? Think of all of the pets that need a good home. Could you add one more member to the family to help save them?
Go to your local pet shelter to pick out a new pet. They will have a much better life and might even be saved from euthanasia. You’ll feel better about yourself, too.
When you bring them home, be extra careful about introducing them to your current animals. Your current pets may feel territorial at first. You should introduce the new pet slowly and ensure that you still show your current pets the same love as you always have.
Also, make sure you know how best to care for a new pet! Here’s a guide on bringing a new puppy home.
6. Contribute to Animal Conservation Efforts
There are a lot more animals than your pets and the ones at the local shelter. The animals in the wild need our help, too. They are everyone’s pet in a way, aren’t they? That’s why they should also be respected during National Pet Month.
Learn about the latest problems affecting endangered animals. Do your part to help. You can start at home with little actions, such as cutting up six-pack rings so fish don’t get caught in them. You can also stop buying from certain companies who are fighting conservation efforts for the sake of greed. Furthermore, you can go on site and help clean up your environment, or send a check to the people doing the work.
7. Go to the Zoo
When was the last time you went to the zoo? For people with children, it could have been last week. For others, it could have been years. Hit the zoo and take a look at all of the beautiful animals in the world. It will reinstate your love for animals and your desire to help them.
There will probably be plenty of information to help you learn how to help. You will also get some exercise from walking around. Bring your kids or anyone you know with kids, since they will get a kick out of it, too. You may even want to bring your pet with you if it behaves well in public.
And remember, many of the animals at the zoo are either rescues or were born in captivity. It’s typically not an inhumane way for these animals to live!
8. Get a Professional Picture Taken
Commemorate your pet long after their death with a professional picture. There are numerous photographers who specialize in pet pictures.
When taking the pictures, do your best to capture the spirit of your friend. If your pet is active, get an action shot. If your pet is pampered, get her in her natural state. You can hang the picture by your pet’s bed. When they eventually do pass away, you will have the picture to remember them forever. Your pet is a part of the family, and you want pictures of them just like any other family member.
9. Take Your Pet to the Groomer
Some pets enjoy getting pampered and looking their best. Take your pet to the groomer to get them a new cut. Bring pictures if you have an idea in your head of how you want your pet to look. Some groomers will even dye your pet a certain color or paint their nails, though this might be a bit overkill.
Many dogs enjoy it just like humans enjoy going to the spa. Remember to go to the groomer before you get any professional pictures taken.
10. Build Bird Feeders
Birds make great pets, but are equally amazing to watch in the wild.
If you appreciate birds, you should show the outdoor birds how much you appreciate them as well. Build homemade bird feeders or birdhouses to keep them comfortable and full. You can even attract your favorite birds by using the right ingredients. This is a great way to have “pet” birds without actually having them in your home.
Your pet is a part of your family. They offer you love and companionship. Your pet shows you how much they appreciate you with cuddles and cute faces. Show your appreciation for them as well! The best time to get a renewed sense of love for your pet is National Pet Month. Use these ideas to show your pet and the other animals in the world just how important they are.
Written By Matt Leighton, vivofish.com
