ABOUT
International Homeless Animals’ Day® is observed annually on the third Saturday in August.
Beginning in 1992, ISAR created and implemented INTERNATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMALS’ DAY, the first and still the only worldwide event that addresses the urgent need for affordable companion animal spay/neuter and adoption programs.
Annually on the third Saturday in August, ISAR globally coordinates International Homeless Animals’ Day activities and unites many countries of the world to take action and address the urgent need for spay/neuter, adoption and legislation to facilitate positive long-lasting changes for homeless companion animals.
On International Homeless Animals’ Day, ISAR along with animal protection organizations, veterinary professionals, corporate executives, law enforcement, emergency responders, elected officials, local celebrities, museums, libraries, communications and media outlets, retail establishments, community organizations, e-commerce companies, art galleries, educational institutions, community activists, volunteer groups, sports teams, youth clubs, schoolchildren and others join together to publicize the spay/neuter and adoption message. This worldwide educational effort is aimed at halting the euthanasia and suffering of unwanted companion animals and cats and dogs that have been abandoned on the streets.
A wide range of activities take place on IHAD including low-cost spay/neuter and microchip and vaccination clinics, free veterinary care programs, adoption events, shelter open houses, candlelight vigils, pet parades, dog walks, pet food donation drives, photo exhibitions of shelter animals, blessing of the animals ceremonies, award ceremonies, speeches by public officials, celebrities and local veterinarians, concerts to benefit homeless animals, educational and awareness webinars, and much more!
Since its inception, ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day has continued to gain momentum in the fight against dog and cat overpopulation. To date, ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day observances have been held in all fifty American states and the District of Columbia, in over 85 countries, on 6 continents.
As a direct result of International Homeless Animals’ Day, countless shelter animals have found permanent loving homes, and thousands of pets are now spayed and neutered preventing the birth of countless unwanted companion animals. We calculate that millions of animals’ lives have been saved!
Recent successes
In 2025, over one-hundred observances took place throughout the United States and in more than 50 geographically and culturally diverse countries including: ARGENTINA, AZERBAIJAN, AUSTRALIA, BELARUS, BULGARIA, BRAZIL, CANADA,CHILE, COLUMBIA, CUBA, CZECH REPUBLIC, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, GREECE, GUATEMALA, HUNGARY, INDIA, IRAQ, INDONESIA, KAZAKHSTAN, LITHUANIA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, MOLDOVA, MONTENEGRO, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, PANAMA, PARAGUAY, PERU, PHILLIPINES, POLAND, PORTUGAL, PUERTO RICO, ROMANIA, SAUDI ARABIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH KOREA, SPAIN, SRI LANKA, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TAIWAN, TURKEY, UKRAINE, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, UNITED KINGDOM, UZBEKISTAN, URUGUAY and VENEZUELA.
As a direct outcome of International Homeless Animals’ Day, more than 1,000 free spay and neuter surgeries were performed—preventing the birth of countless unwanted animals and giving thousands of dogs and cats a better chance at life.
ISAR once again made available our International Homeless Animals’ Day spay/neuter grant to not-for-profit organizations participating in the Day with a free or low-cost spay and neuter event.
International Homeless Animals’ Day Inspired Global Actions to Address the Plight of Homeless Dogs and Cats
Free spay and neuter events were conducted in several countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela. Together with the sterilization surgeries that took place on International Homeless Animals’ Day, organizations and municipal government officials distributed vouchers to the public for subsidized and free spay/neuter procedures.
An International Homeless Animals’ Day grant from ISAR, helped the Spay Panama Foundation organize a two-day IHAD spay/neuter clinic in Las Lajas de Chame, Panama. Seven veterinarians and volunteers from Panama, Canada and France sterilized more than 850 dogs and cats.
Patricia Chan, Founder of Spay Panama stated, “Spay Panama is honored to commemorate International Homeless Animals’ Day by organizing a spay/neuter clinic. This initiative will prevent unwanted puppies and kittens from enduring a life of feral existence. By addressing the issue of pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering, many animals can be spared from premature death as well as the harsh realities they frequently encounter, such as abandonment and neglect.”
Working with ISAR to make spay/neuter accessible to underserved communities, Red de Apoyo Canino received an IHAD grant to assist in the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats in the municipalities of Santa Rita and Maracaibo, Zuila State of Venezuela.
Daniela Lovera, a board member of Red de Apoyo Canino, shared her enthusiasm about the event, noting, “We are very happy to be a part of this great initiative, and we are pleased to report that we had a very successful IHAD sterilizing 67 animals.”
In Zaachila, Mexico, a representative for the organization Temporadade Papayas emphasized the significance of the day, stating, “Today on International Homeless Animal Day, we took a huge step for animal welfare. On our sterilization day we managed to change the fate of 15 homeless puppies and kittens, and in total we sterilized 65 animals that now have a new chance at life. Sterilization not only transforms the life of each animal, but also protects the whole community: it prevents abandonment, improves public health and promotes responsible coexistence.”
Many veterinarians and municipalities participated in IHAD with free veterinary care and vaccination clinics, helping to reduce barriers to essential care, promote public health, and support the well-being of both animals and their communities.
For example, in Havana, Cuba, several dogs and cats received free rabies vaccinations provided by BAC-Habana.
Additional vaccination, microchip and veterinary wellness clinics were held in observance of International Homeless Animals’ Day in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Chile, India, and Puerto Rico.
In addition to the spay/neuter and vaccination clinics that occurred on IHAD, others marked the day by visiting local animal shelters to donate food and supplies, and spend time engaging with the animals through activities such as dog walking and grooming. These actions play a vital role in reducing animal stress and increase their likelihood of adoption.
For instance, in the city of Burgas, Bulgaria, over 100 individuals gathered at the Burgas Municipal Shelter to take part in an IHAD dog walk event hosted by the Association for Animal Rights.
Daria Hulka, manager of the shelter, expressed her gratitude to everyone who helped create a memorable day for the dogs of Burgas Municipality. She stated, “On International Homeless Animals’ Day many people with heart, soul and love for those who have no voice visited our shelter dogs. Many of our shelter dogs received walks, this is their only real connection to the outside world. They live in cages—safe and fed—but they rarely get to feel grass under their paws or enjoy a proper walk.”
Other participants marked IHAD-2025 with observances designed to enlighten the public about the crisis of homeless companion animals and emphasize the urgent need for spay/neuter and adoption programs. This message was effectively communicated through a range of activities, including candlelight vigils, photo sessions featuring shelter animals, adoption fairs, and educational outreach programs.
In Logroño, Spain, the Animal Protection Association (APA Rioja) held a symbolic candle lighting ceremony to commemorate all abandoned and abused animals, as well as to honor the memory of beloved pets who have passed on.
An APA Rioja representative noted, “On this special day, organizations and volunteers from around the world come together to address the problem of dog and cat overpopulation and work toward sustainable solutions that promote the wellbeing of animals.” He continued, “International Homeless Animals Day is a reminder of the collective responsibility we share toward animals, and the importance of sterilization and responsible adoption.”
Defenders of Animals hosted their 31st consecutive International Homeless Animals’ Day event at the Governor Sprague Mansion in Cranston, Rhode Island with a candlelight vigil and Humane Hero Award ceremony. Rhode Island State Senator Melissa Murray was a guest speaker and received the Humane Heroes Award in recognition of the significant impact she made on behalf of animals locally.
The Budapest Police Department, Hungary, continued its annual tradition of supporting shelter animals by partnering with the REX Dog Home Foundation for their annual photo shoot campaign, marking the sixth consecutive year of this initiative.
“On the occasion of International Homeless Animals’ Day, this year we teamed up with the REX Dog Home Foundation to escort in front of cameras the dogs and cats whose biggest dream is a loving home,” said the chief officer. He continued, “This has become a beloved tradition and one of our favorite duties each year.”
More than 40 poignant photos were shared across the official websites and social media pages of both the Budapest Police Headquarters and REX Dog Home Foundation, garnering thousands of views.
The PAWSsion Project organized an event entitled “Stray No More: International Homeless Animals’ Day” at Space One Ayala in Manila, Philippines. The event featured educational talks delivered by veterinarians on the importance of responsible pet ownership. It also included an adoption drive and a free spay/neuter clinic. According to the organizers, nearly 500 dogs and cats were sterilized, and several animals found new homes.
Paws-Up and Egida NGO joined forces to host the “Road Home” charity festival in Minsk, Belarus on IHAD.
The festival brough together individuals with an interest in animals and their families, offering attendees the chance to meet over 100 dogs and cats in need of a loving home. Guests also learned about the shelter’s work and how to get involved through volunteering.
Throughout the day, veterinarians shared valuable information about responsible pet care, including the importance of sterilization, and attorney Oksana Bodunova, provided legal insights on animal protection laws in Belarus. Children enjoyed creative workshops and fun, educational activities designed to nurture empathy and kindness toward homeless animals.
Marina Sergeevna, deputy chairman of Egida NGO stated, “The goal of the event is not only to find owners for pets, but also to draw public attention to the problem of homeless animals, to show that everyone can contribute to its solution.”
To mark International Homeless Animals’ Day, Abrigo da Luna, in collaboration with several animal protection organizations, local veterinarians, the Municipality of Braga, the Municipal Police, and the National Republican Guard (GNR), hosted a public awareness event at Parque da Ponte in Braga, Portugal.
In the lead-up to the event, a striking billboard featuring the text “Dia Internacional dos Animais Sem-Abrigo” (International Homeless Animals’ Day) was displayed in a prominent location in Braga, capturing public attention and helping to spark strong community engagement.
Activities at the event included pet adoptions, dog walks, and lectures on animal abandonment and the importance of adoption and sterilization.
Clara Barbosa, founder of Abrigo da Luna, stated: “Our goal on this day is to raise public awareness about the issue of animal abandonment, promote responsible adoption, and encourage greater compassion and responsibility within the community.”
SOS Chats Noiraigue-CH participated in International Homeless Animals’ Day for the 21st consecutive year with an informational stall staffed with volunteers in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. SOS Chats president and co-founder Tomi Tomek uses the day to raise awareness of animal issues with educational literature and petition drives. The event drew support from local elected officials and well-known public figures whose support helped amplify the message of compassion and advocacy.
In observance of International Homeless Animals’ Day, businesses across the globe joined together to lend their voices and contribute resources in support of local animal protection efforts.
For instance, in Belgrade, Serbia, Lidl, a global discount supermarket chain, partnered with Animal Rescue Serbia (ARS) to support animals in need. As part of the initiative, Lidl donated food to the ARS shelter and launched the “I’ll Give You a Paw” campaign to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption.
As part of the campaign, Lidl organized a visit to the animal shelter, where company executives spent time interacting with the cats—feeding them, petting them, and learning about their individual stories. The event highlighted the daily struggles faced by abandoned animals, as well as the dedication of the shelter staff who care for them.
“We believe that being part of the community means also caring for those who can’t speak for themselves. On International Homeless Animals’ Day, this campaign is our way of standing by our four-legged friends—and those who give them the second chances they deserve,” said Aleksandra Mirić, representative of Lidl Serbia.
In Istanbul, Turkey, employees of FLO Mağazacılık, a leading Turkish footwear company, visited the Every Home Paw Animal Shelter to donate food and engage with the animals.
Additionally, in Taiwan, The Far Eastern Department Store partnered with the Wandering Home Animal Association to host an animal adoption event at its Taoyuan store. The event was designed not only to help stray animals find permanent homes but also to raise public awareness about the importance of adoption over purchasing pets.
A representative from The Far Eastern Department Store remarked, “On International Homeless Animals’ Day, we aim to raise awareness about the issue of stray animals and take meaningful action to promote adoption instead of buying.”
These initiatives highlight how the private sector can play an influential role in supporting and encouraging responsible pet adoption in collaboration with local animal rescue organizations.
Individuals, organizations,veterinary professionals, animal-friendly businesses and others wishing to take part in ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day events can view our complimentary event planning packet HERE.
Your participation in ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day will guarantee advertisement of your event to thousands of people on ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day website, as well as promotion on ISAR’s online communities such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Please register your event HERE
By coming together on International Homeless Animals’ Day, you can support ISAR in raising global awareness about the homeless animal crisis and promoting effective solutions—such as spay/neuter, and adoption programs—in an effort to prevent animal homelessness and suffering.