The unofficial holiday has seen an uptick in recent years as more and more people adopt furry, scaly, and tailed members into their families.
National Dog Day was founded in conjunction with other furry friend days such as National Cat Day, National Puppy Day, and National Mutt Day.
5,000 people attended the first World Animal Day in Berlin, first enacted by cynologist and canine aficionado Heinrich Zimmerman.
Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, is honored on his Feast Day every year on October 4th.