What is National Pet Month?

National Pet Month is a UK-wide campaign coordinated by UK Pet Food and NOAH (the National Office of Animal Health), to promote responsible pet ownership and celebrate the joy that pets bring to our lives. Each year, the campaign shines a spotlight on the five key animal welfare needs: Companionship, Behaviour, Diet, Health, and Environment.

This year's theme focuses on helping pet owners find the right animal companion for their lifestyle, supporting good behaviour and training from the start, and making responsible choices for pet health and well-being.

What's Happening This April?

National Pet Month 2025 is packed with themed weeks, live events, and inspiring stories:

• Companionship Week (1–7 April) – Celebrating the joy of rescue pets, finding the right pet for your lifestyle, and the growing trend of pet-friendly spaces.
• Behaviour Week (8–14 April) – All about understanding your pet's behaviour, early training tips, and supporting your animals through change.
• Diet & Health Week (15–21 April) – Promoting healthy eating habits for pets and low-cost ways to keep your animals active and happy.
• Environment Week (22–30 April) – How to create safe, enriching environments for your pets, and how to be a more eco-conscious pet owner.

There's never been a better time to brush up on your pet care knowledge!

Why Responsible Pet Ownership Matters

Caring for a pet is one of life's greatest joys — but it also comes with real responsibility. From pet nutrition and regular vet check-ups to microchipping, vaccination, and proper training, being a great pet owner means thinking about your animal's needs every single day.

The benefits go both ways, of course. Research consistently shows that owning a pet can boost our mental health, reduce stress, ease loneliness, and even improve our physical well-being. Our pets give us so much — National Pet Month is the perfect opportunity to give a little back.

How You Can Get Involved

There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate National Pet Month this April:

• Share your pet's story on social media using #NationalPetMonth and #NPMLive
• Donate to or fundraise for your favourite animal welfare charity
• Learn something new about your pet's diet, behaviour, or environment
• Consider adopting — rescue centres across the UK are home to amazing animals waiting for their forever families

We're Here for You and Your Pets All Year Round

At Orchard Vets, supporting the health and happiness of your pets is what we do every single day — not just in April! Whether you're looking for expert advice on pet nutrition, the best pet products, grooming services, or simply a friendly face who loves animals as much as you do, we're here for it all.

This National Pet Month, we'd love to hear about your beloved companions. Pop in and tell us about your pets, share a photo on our social pages, or ask us anything about caring for your animals. We're always happy to help.

Find Out More

To explore everything National Pet Month has to offer — including events near you, expert advice, and resources for responsible pet ownership — visit the official website at www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk.

Here's to a wonderful April, filled with wagging tails, happy purrs, and all the love our pets bring into our lives.