Profile of the Week National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day 2026: April 30National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day 2026 is celebrated on April 30, 2026, focusing on giving second chances to animals in need. While National Pet Day (April 11) also promotes adoption, April 30 is specifically dedicated to encouraging adoption from shelters and rescue organisations.
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day:
Purpose: To highlight the importance of adopting shelter pets rather than buying from breeders, encouraging "Don't shop! Adopt!".
Celebration: Many shelters offer adoption events, lower fees, or special promotions around this date.
Actions: People are encouraged to adopt, foster, donate to shelters, or volunteer on this day to help animals find homes.
Monika Biernacki of Monika's Doggie Rescue at Ingleside said in the lead into National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day 2026:
"National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day so important this year. The offloading of unwanted animals has been insane since the end of Covid, but now with the economic crunch, the rental crisis and rising fuel costs we are seeing and hearing of more and more desperate situations where pets are being discarded. It is overwhelming."
"For those seeing National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day and thinking about it, come and spend a little time around shelter animals. You will be pleasantly surprised what beautiful animals are there, desperate to find some love."
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DIY Ideas Autumn Planting For Gardens Full Of Colour and Cheer + Autumn Garden Support: Feed-Mulch-Check the Lawn Mother’s Day flowers will be out everywhere soon, with the huge crowns of white and pink chrysanthemums joined by rows of bright potted cyclamens, orchids, carnations and grevilleas, gum blossoms and shining stems of bright yellow wattles. But why not have these brightening up your garden every day?
Vegetables to plant in Autumn include broccoli, beetroot, cabbage, cress and cauliflower, lettuce, onion, peas, spinach, spring onion and turnip. Herbs that flourish at this time of year include coriander, fennel, garlic, lavender, parsley, rocket, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Autumn is also a great time to rejuvenate your garden and prepare it for Winter and for next Spring. Rejuvenating your lawn, pruning, feeding the earth that supports what you grow and adding spots of colour are all Autumn Garden Tasks that suit being outside in cooling air and getting some enjoyable exercise.
Food Pears: Autumn Fruits + Packham's Pear - the Australian Pear
Pear crops have been coming into local produce stores during the last few weeks and this year’s fruit is sweeter than it has been for a few seasons. With many health benefits related to these wonderful Autumn fruits, as well as ensuring you get your daily fibre intake for good digestive health, and with prices that reflect a bumper crop this year and freshness straight from the farm, a big bowl of pears for the youngsters to help themselves to may be a good idea.
Sports Academy athletics track progress - end of March 2026. Photos: Joe Mills
