National Rescue Dog Day

Pawsitively heartwarming! A jubilant child playing fetch with a rescue dog in a lush neighborhood park, summer fashion, sunny day.. — National rescue dog day illustration

Hold onto your leashes, folks! We're set to embark on the fur-filled fun ride that is National Rescue Dog Day! A day that's sure to make both your heels and tails wag with delight.

When is Rescue Dog Day?

It's national rescue dog day on the 20th May.

Unleashing the History of National Rescue Dog Day

With a whopping 7104 mentions fluttering around the wide expanse of the World Wide Web, it appears National Rescue Dog Day fetches quite the internet attention. Chew on this, the most mentions we recorded occurred on May 20, 2020! That's enough to make any tail wag with pride.

There's something pawsitivly special about National Rescue Dog Day. So much so that it makes you want to sit and stay awhile, soaking in the sheer joy of celebrating our bow-wow best friends. But why all this fuss, you ask? Here's the woof.

Every Dog Has Its Day

National Rescue Dog Day is a day when we all sit, stay, and pay attention to the role of these furry heroes in our lives. From serving roles with the police, to helping blind people navigate, to simply bringing joy to our everyday lives, rescue dogs cannot be barked at enough for their contributions. We are not only throwing a bone here, but also raising awareness about the endless love and joy that these furry rescues bring to our homes.

Celebrating the Bark Side

So, how do we celebrate National Rescue Dog Day? How about gifting Fido an extra long walk or a squeaky new toy? Or how about lending a paw by volunteering at an animal shelter or even providing a forever home to a dog in need? After all, every man and his dog can make a difference on this day!

History behind the term 'Rescue Dog'

1760

The emergence of modern dog breeds

During the 18th century, a shift occurred in Europe towards the concept of purebred dogs. People began selectively breeding dogs for specific traits and purposes, leading to the development of distinct dog breeds with specialized skills.

1814

Training dogs for rescue missions

As the need for rescuing people grew, particularly during natural disasters and accidents, efforts to train dogs for rescue purposes intensified. The Society for the Protection of Animals offered rewards to those who successfully trained dogs to rescue people, which helped popularize the concept of rescue dogs.

1907

The formation of the first official K9 search and rescue school

In the early 20th century, the first official K9 search and rescue school was established in Switzerland. The school aimed to train dogs specifically for search and rescue operations, including finding missing people, avalanche victims, and disaster survivors.

1918

WWI and the rise of war dogs

During World War I, the use of dogs in warfare became prominent. Dogs were trained to carry messages, locate wounded soldiers, and even detect the presence of enemy troops. This heightened the awareness of dogs' abilities in rescue and heightened their status as valuable assets in wartime.

1971

The term 'rescue dog' gains popularity

In the 1970s, the term 'rescue dog' gained popularity as a way to describe dogs that were adopted from animal shelters or adopted specifically for search and rescue missions. This term highlighted the important role these dogs play in saving lives and emphasized their ability to provide aid and comfort to those in need.

Did you know?

Did you know that the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' came about because during heavy rains in 17th century England some animals would wash up in streets, giving the appearance that it had actually rained cats and dogs? No dogs were harmed in the making of this idiom.