National Dog Day is celebrated Aug. 26 annually, and was founded in 2004 by Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, Colleen Paige, to bring attention to the high number of dogs who need adopting.

It is celebrated Aug. 26 because that marks the day Paige and her family adopted her first dog “Sheltie.”

Paige, also the founder of National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and National Cat Day, created the holiday to bring awareness and encourage people to adopt a dog in need of rescuing, and to acknowledge the dogs that have a home and bring happiness, comfort and safety into their owners’ lives.

It is her belief that dogs put their lives on the line every day, working for law enforcement, for the disabled, by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage and more recently by detecting cancer and seizures.

Paige is encouraging everyone to donate $5 to their local shelter or rescue on August 26th.