NATIONWIDE — Are you an animal lover? Are you looking for a collection of animal-themed days to celebrate?

Or acknowledge, depending on the theme. 

One doesn’t celebrate Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day (Saturday, September 13). 

Let’s start with that. 

According to smoochie-pooch.com, birth defects in pets can happen because of genetic abnormalities, because of nutritional deficiencies in the mother, or due to environmental causes, such as toxins. 

Sunday, September 14 kicks off Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, which takes place each year during the third week of September. 

Which pets are less likely to be adopted? The Hinsdale Humane Society lists black dogs and cats (maybe due to superstition), senior pets, special-needs pets and more. Visit www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/blog/spreading-awareness-this-adopt-a-less-adoptable-pet-week to learn why you should consider a less adoptable pet.  

Other worthy and celebratory days:

Wednesday, September 17: National Pet Bird Day. “Created in 2019 by the Bird Enjoyment & Advantage Koalition (BEAK), National Pet Bird Day is a time for bird lovers across the United States and beyond to celebrate the joys and benefits of owning a pet bird,” according to myrightbird.com.

September is Happy Cat Month, according to avma.org. If your cat is anything like my cat, food makes them happy. And attention. And talking to humans on Discord. 

Also the chipmunk.

September 28 is International Rabbit Day. That one’s self-explanatory. 

It’s also World Rabies Day. 

Rabbits are good if you don’t have a yard-full; rabies is unequivocally bad. Vaccinate your pets.

And I leave you with this:

Even if you aren’t in the U.K., you can celebrate Small Pet Rodent Awareness Week, September 15-21. And it’s no coincidence (because I just invented this holiday, so I know for sure), but Friday, September 19 is Talk Like a Rat Pirate Day. 

You’re welcome.