Oct

Always Something To Celebrate

Freelance writers and animal welfare workers take note: somewhere there is an event that you can write about, correlate to a marketing plan, and of course, celebrate. Yes, there are always the federal holidays to take advantage of, but that handful of celebratory events does not include important dates like National Dog Bite Prevention Week and Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Today is Gandhi’s birthday.

I doubt you’ll find these dates on the calendar you picked up at your favorite bookstore. Unfortunately, these events require a little research because many of the dates are sponsored by a specific organization or group. You can either choose to search for the information on individual animal related Web sites, or you can locate a complied annual calendar like the one available at Petroglyphsnm.org.

Additionally, check out Wikipedia, The Farmers’ Almanac, and The Old Farmer’s Almanac for more dates to take note of and incorporate into your work.

Dates to celebrate for October listed at Petroglyphsnm.org:

Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month (ASPCA)

Adopt-A-Dog Month (AHA)

National Cut-Out-Dissection Month (PETA)

National Animal Safety and Protection Month

(Emergency Animal Rescue Service – United Animal Nations)

Vegetarian Awareness Month (EarthSave)

Days of note:

4 — St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day/ World Pets’ Day/World Animal Day (always) (Great Resource Site for World Animal Day)

16 — National Feral Cat Day (always) (Alley Cat Allies)

18 — Water Pollution Control Act 1972

21 — Marine Mammal Protection Act 1972

21 — Reptile Awareness Day (always)

23 — National Mole Day (always)

26 — National Mule Day (always)

27 — Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, 1980: “dolphin-safe tuna” labeling

And let’s don’t forget Halloween and the opportunity to dress up your favorite shelter pet and take their picture to help draw attention to their need for a loving home.