National Pet Day was founded on April 11, 2006, by Colleen Paige, an animal welfare advocate and pet lifestyle expert. Paige created this day to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption. The day is set aside to honor all types of pets, regardless of species, and encourages pet owners to show appreciation for their furry, feathered, or scaled friends through various activities and events that recognize their vital role in our lives.