It’s DOGust 1st — The Official Birthday of All Shelter Dogs! 🎉🐾

Every dog deserves to be celebrated — and DOGust 1st is the special day that honors just that. Recognized as the unofficial birthday of shelter dogs, this nationwide celebration brings awareness to the thousands of dogs in shelters who may not have a known birthdate but absolutely deserve a reason to be celebrated.

It’s more than just a day for extra belly rubs — it’s a reminder of the millions of dogs still waiting for their forever homes, and a chance for all of us to give back.

🐶 What DOGust 1st Means

Many shelter dogs arrive at rescues with no records or information about their past, including their birthdays. DOGust 1st was created to give every rescue dog a shared birthday — a symbolic celebration of the love and life they still have ahead of them.

It’s a day to spread awareness, drive adoptions, and remind people that rescues and shelters are full of amazing dogs waiting to be part of a family.

💛 How You Can Help

Here are some simple and impactful ways you can celebrate DOGust 1st and support shelter pets:

1. Adopt or Foster a Shelter Dog

Thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family? DOGust 1st is the perfect time to visit your local shelter and meet the pups waiting for a second chance. If you're not ready to commit long-term, fostering is a wonderful way to give a dog a temporary, loving home — and it helps shelters make room for more rescues in need.

2. Volunteer Your Time

Animal shelters rely heavily on dedicated volunteers to keep things running smoothly. Whether you're walking dogs, helping with feedings, cleaning kennels, or lending a hand at adoption events, your time and compassion can have a lasting impact on both the animals and the staff.

3. Donate to Your Local Shelter

Not everyone can adopt, foster or volunteer — and that’s okay! Shelters are always in need of supplies like food, blankets, toys, cleaning products, and monetary donations. Every contribution, big or small, helps support the care of animals until they find their forever homes.

4. Shop to Support Shelters

Want to make a difference and get something awesome for your own pet or for a friend/client’s pet? Shop on a ShopDot Pet-powered storefront run by a rescue or shelter!

When you make a purchase through one of these storefronts, the proceeds go directly to the organization to help fund food, medical care, and other vital resources.

This is a powerful way to give back — and you’ll be supporting rescues and shelters and great pet brands at the same time.

Check out these storefronts:

Paw-Rump Rehab & Rescue

• Paw-Rump Rehab & Rescue’s mission is to prevent unnecessary euthanasia due to medical or behavioral issues while improving rescued animals’ quality of life. They focus on medical cost assistance, exemplary housing, and behavior-based care while educating the public to raise care standards and promote compassionate, informed pet guardianship.

The Animal Foundation

• The Animal Foundation is a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. They are one of the highest volume single-site animal shelters in America. Much like a public hospital, as an open-admission shelter, The Animal Foundation takes in every animal who comes to us in need, no matter how sick or injured. From the expected dogs, cats, and rabbits, to pigs, chickens, and exotic animals, they serve them all.

Human and Pet Initiative (HAPI)

• Human and Pet Initiative (HAPI) is a community-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families keep their pets safe, healthy, and in their care. They provide free resources to pet owners in need, with a focus on removing barriers to pet ownership so that no family has to fear losing their beloved companions due to financial struggles or lack of support.

Atlanta Dog Mom Full Hearts

• Atlanta Dog Mom Full Hearts is a friendly and inclusive social club and non-profit founded by a need to bring together diverse dog moms to connect, learn with, support, and encourage each other to be the best dog mom they can be.

🎂 Let’s Make Every Shelter Dog Feel Celebrated

DOGust 1st is a reminder of the value every dog holds — adopted or still waiting. Whether you foster, donate, or simply shop through a shelter’s storefront, your support helps give these dogs a better future.

Happy DOGust! 🎈 Let’s make it count.