46 saved#3,487 of 6,224

Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week

Discover your new best friend during Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week. Every pet deserves a loving home, dare to make a difference!

Monday

14–20

September 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATESeptember 14-20

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAnimals

SUBCATEGORYPets

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Let's spread love and warmth by celebrating "Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week" starting September 16! Introduced by Petfinder in 2009, this special week is dedicated to shining a spotlight on those pets that are often overlooked in shelters due to their age, color, breed, special needs or other factors. It's a week that inspires compassion and reminds us of the special bond that can form between humans and pets. So, come on all you animal lovers, let's rally together and give these extraordinary pets the love and homes they rightly deserve! Your new best friend might just be waiting for you... Discover the magic during Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week! Every pet deserves a loving home, dare to make a difference.

TIMELINE

Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week Timeline

Beginnings of the Event

Petfinder introduced "Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week" aiming to highlight often overlooked pets due to various factors.

First Celebrations

The first large-scale celebrations of the event happened with numerous adoption events across multiple locations.

Increased Awareness

Public awareness grew significantly, leading to an increase in the adoption of less-adoptable pets.

Celebrity Endorsements

Celebrities and influential personalities started endorsing the event, ensuring its reach to a wider audience.

Impactful Data Reporting

Petfinder started releasing annual reports highlighting the significant difference the event has made towards the adoption of less-adoptable pets.

Virtual Celebrations

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations moved online, creating virtual adoption events and spreading awareness through social media.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week

Host an adoption event

Partner with your local animal shelter and host an adoption event to showcase less-adoptable pets. You can create fun, interactive activities that allow attendees to spend some time with the pets, and who knows, they may find their new companion there!

START

Start a social media campaign

Use your social media platforms to share success stories of less-adoptable pet adoptions. Encourage your followers to share these posts in order to raise more awareness about these often overlooked pets.

FOSTER

Foster a less-adoptable pet

If adoption isn’t possible at the moment, consider fostering a less-adoptable pet. This gives them a chance to live in a home environment and increases their chances of finding a permanent home.

ORGANIZE

Organize a fundraising event

Organize a fundraising event like a charity run, bake sale, or auction where the proceeds go to support your local animal shelter. This would help the shelter to care for these less-adoptable pets until they find a new home.

EDUCATE

Educate others

Use this week to educate others about the challenges faced by less-adoptable pets and emphasize the many benefits they can bring. By sharing this valuable information, you can help debunk myths and change attitudes towards less-adoptable pets.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week is Important

It brings together community for a good cause

Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week isn't just about adoption, it's also about raising awareness and engaging communities. The various events like adoption fairs and social media campaigns inspire people to rally together and support the cause, creating a strong sense of community spirit.

It encourages adoption of overlooked pets

Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week puts a spotlight on those that are often left behind in shelters due to their age, breed, color or special needs. It's a great initiative that promotes the adoption of these marginalized animals, reminding us that every pet is unique and deserving of a loving home.

It fosters compassion and empathy

By observing this week, we not only open up our homes to pets in need, we also open up our hearts. Encountering and understanding the plight of less-adoptable pets encourages us to exercise compassion and empathy, virtues that are invaluable in every facet of life.

Related holidays

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Help save a life and find your new best friend this Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Adoption events, promotions, and plenty of love to go around!

National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day

Show your love and support this National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day - make a difference to an animal in need by adopting a pet today!

Remember Me Thursday

Shine a light on pet adoption this Remember Me Thursday - because every furry friend deserves a loving home!

Animal Welfare Week

Join us in raising awareness and promoting kindness towards animals during Animal Welfare Week - because every creature deserves love and compassion.

11Read

FOR MARKETERS & CREATORS

Turn every day into a moment your audience actually shows up for.

8.4M

Monthly readers

5K+

Holidays tracked

Holiday Calendar for Brands Developer API