Looking for a new way to promote your clinic? Organizations ranging from the ASPCA to the CATalyst Council host awareness events throughout the year to focus on specific pet issues including pet care, adoption and service providers. By joining in, you can leverage national promotions to increase the visibility of your practice. Here’s how. 

How Do I Plan a Pet Awareness Event?

Start by contacting the organization behind the event. They may list your clinic as a participant, and they’ll have useful information that you can use in your mailers, on your website and in your clinic to help promote the event.

Mail out veterinary reminder cards to your clients explaining the event and how they can benefit. Keep the details brief and focus on one or two big statements to get their attention.

Give clients an incentive to get involved: Goodie bags and discounted services are great ways to spur clients into action. These rewards don’t need to be expensive, and in the case of mass immunizations and heartworm treatments, you can usually keep your costs down through bulk supply purchases and work efficiencies.

Have a photo contest: Events like “Hug Your Cat Day” and “National Mutt Day” are perfect for showing off your clients’ pets.

Picking an event is easy: there are dozens of pet awareness events throughout the year, so there’s always something coming up that you can fit into your schedule.


Dogs

Cats may edge out dogs for popularity, but their need for frequent check-ups means you probably see dog owners more than cat owners. These events can help draw in clients for common health issues like heartworm.

January: National Train Your Dog Month
February 23rd: National Dog Biscuit Day
March 23rd: National Puppy Day
April 7th-13th: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
July 31st and December 2nd: National Mutt Day
August 4th-10th: International Assistance Dog Week
August 26th: National Dog Day
September: National Service Dog Month and Responsible Dog Ownership Month
September 22nd-28th: National Deaf Dog Awareness Week
October 1st-7th: National Walk Your Dog Week


Cats

Cats may hate traveling to your clinic, but you can still use these events to encourage clients to take better care of their feline companions by scheduling checkups and addressing common health problems.

April 26th: Hairball Awareness Day
June 4th: Hug Your Cat Day
August 8th: International Cat Day
August 22nd: National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day
September: CATalyst Council Happy Cat Month
October 29th: National Cat Day


Other Pets

If you offer equine or exotic animal care, these events will help people recognize your patients. They also help get the word out that you can care for these animals.

January 5th: National Bird Day
May 23rd: International Turtle Day
July: Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
September 8th: National Iguana Awareness Day
October 21st: Reptile Awareness Day
December 13th: National Day of the Horse


Shelter Animals

Promoting adoptions doesn’t just help lost and abandoned animals: it helps raise your visibility in the community, and it gives you a way to connect with new pet owners.

April 30th: National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
June: American Humane Society Adopt-a-Cat Month and ASPCA Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
October: ASPCA Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
November: ASPCA Adopt a Senior Pet Month
November 3rd-9th: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week


Animal Caretakers

Show your appreciation of your staff and the people outside your clinic who help take care of pets.

March 3rd-9th: Professional Pet Sitter’s Week
April 7th-13th: National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week and National Volunteer Week
April 27th: World Veterinary Day
September: Pet Sitter Education Month
October 13th-19th: National Veterinary Technician Week


Pet Care

These events promote general pet health, making them a natural fit for promoting your clinic’s products and services.

January 2nd: National Pet Travel Safety Day
February: National Pet Dental Health Month
April: American Red Cross Pet First Aid Awareness Month, Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month and National Heartworm Awareness Month
April 6th: Every Day is Tag Day
April 17th-23rd: National Pet ID Week
May: Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
May 11th: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
July 15th: Pet Fire Safety Day
August: National Immunization Awareness Month
August 15th: National Check the Chip Day
September: Animal Pain Awareness Month
October: National Animal Safety and Protection Month
October 9th: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
November: National Pet Cancer Awareness Month and National Pet Diabetes Month


General Pet Days

These events promote and celebrate pet ownership, no matter the type of animal.

February 20th: Love Your Pet Day
April 11th: National Pet Day
April 26th: National Kids & Pets Day
May 5th-11th: National Pet Week
June 2nd-8th: Pet Appreciation Week
October 4th: World Animal Day


Positive Impressions Can Help You With Your Pet Awareness Event

For 11 years, Positive Impressions has helped clinics and hospitals connect with clients through a wide range of products from appointment reminder cards to prescription labels and memorial kits. We offer cards and promotional products including veterinary calendars, pens and leashes that can be custom printed with your clinic information for your next promotion. Not sure how to get started? We have new specials each month and the latest popular products posted on our website.