• Date: Saturday June 6th, 2026
• Website: www.caadoptapetday.org
• Dedicated Hashtag: #CAAdoptAPetDay
• Account for Tagging: @CalAnimals 

• May 8 - Shelter registration deadline to sign up for this year’s event.
• Week of May 11 - Start informing your audience about the event via social media, newsletter, and your website; distribute localized press release.
• May 27 - Distribute the media advisory to your local media.
• Week of June 1 - Continue posting on social media and consider another newsletter reminding your audience about the event, re-issue media advisory on event day, June 6.
• June 6 - Today is the day! Consider a social media livestream inviting the public.

A toolkit of complimentary marketing assets is available to download below. These assets include event logos, posters and flyers, social media templates, event banners, and more to help you create an engaging experience at whatever level of effort you would like to participate in. 

• Leveraging Social Media 
  • Social media is one of the most powerful tools you have to drive awareness and adoptions for California Adopt-a-Pet Day. Use the tips and sample posts below to build momentum before and during the June 6th event.
• Maximize your reach across platforms 
  • Meet your audience where they are. Short-form video on Instagram Reels and TikTok is ideal for showcasing adoptable animals and reaching new audiences beyond your existing followers. Instagram Stories are perfect for behind-the-scenes content, day-of updates, and time-sensitive calls to action. Don't forget to cross-promote: include your social handles and a call to follow and share in your emails, on your website, and at any in-person events leading up to June 6th.
• Post early and often 
  • Start building awareness before the event. Share a promotional post in the days leading up to CA Adopt-a-Pet Day so your community knows you're participating — and give them a reason to show up. Customize the sample posts below to reflect your organization's voice and the animals in your care.
• Use the official hashtag and tags
  • To be part of the statewide conversation — and for a chance to have your animals featured — use #CAAdoptAPetDay and tag @ASPCA, @CalAnimals, and @sanfranciscospca in all related Instagram posts and stories.

Copy, customize, and post any of the following on or leading up to June 6th: Sample Posts.

Reach out to your networks to find local influencers, businesses, and organizations in your community that can help raise awareness of the event. One way to engage your community is asking them to share an animal available for adoption on their social media. Provide them with language to use when sharing and ask them to tag your rescue and #CAAdoptAPetDay. 

You can also invite local influencers to your shelter to meet with adoptable animals and ask them to use their own social media channels to help get them adopted on the day of the event.

Engaging with traditional media contacts in your local community: 

1. Shelter Media Guide
2. Localized Press Release: Create a personalized press release specific to your local community using the provided template for distribution to your local print, TV, radio, and online media contacts.
3. Media Advisory: Distribute a media advisory to television assignment desks using the provided template inviting them to cover the event with information about specific available animals.
4. Media Talking Points: Use these suggested talking points when speaking with media to encourage their audience to consider pet adoption.

Watch last year’s webinar for tips from other shelter participants on how to make the most of your event! 

Additional Webinars: 

• Multicultural Engagement Strategies to Increase Pet Adoptions (Recorded Webinar)
• How to Increase Dog Adoptions with Offsite Opportunities (Recorded Webinar)
• Adopt All Your Kittens in a Day: How to Hold a Low-Stress Event (Recorded Webinar)

Coming Soon