National Specially-Abled Pets Day is a holiday observed every year on May 3rd. It is designed to bring awareness to the many pets living with disabilities and their special needs. It is also a day when people are encouraged to consider adopting a disabled pet when looking to add a new pet family member to their household.

Disabled pets often get overlooked by those looking to adopt, which is a shame because they deserve forever homes as well. So, anyone wishing to celebrate this holiday can adopt a disabled pet for their home or show appreciation for a disabled pet they already own.

The History of National Specially-Abled Pets Day

This holiday was created in 2006 by Colleen Paige. She created this holiday to educate the public about the importance of caring for disabled pets and finding them forever homes. It is also a day when people are encouraged to think about the challenges these animals face and the special accommodations that might need to be made for their care.

Facts About Disabled Pets

Let’s explore some facts about disabled pets that we uncovered during our research.

• Pets can suffer from mobility issues, deafness, blindness, or other disabilities.
• It is important for people to learn about the special needs of disabled pets before committing to adopting them.
• People may need to alter their lifestyles to accommodate the needs of a disabled pet.
• Some disabled pets will require specialized medication or pain management for the rest of their lives.

Observing National Specially-Abled Pets Day

People can observe this holiday by taking the time to consider adopting a disabled pet—a pet that normally would not be adopted by anyone else. It is also a good day to spread the word about differently-abled pets by using the hashtag #SpeciallyAbledPetsDay on social media.