Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. – September 24, 2026 -- Animal lovers, celebrities and rescue groups in more than 180 countries marked the 14th annual Remember Me Thursday campaign today, using social media, candle-lighting ceremonies and flag raisings to draw attention to pets still waiting for adoption.
Organized by Helen Woodward Animal Center, the movement asks participants to post on social media using the handle @RememberMeThursday and the hashtag #ShineALight, sharing stories about rescue pets to highlight the ongoing need for adoptions.
The campaign began in 2013 to address pet homelessness statistics.
Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms launched Remember Me Thursday after learning that more than a million homeless pets die in the U.S. each year without finding homes. What started as a call to rescue organizations has grown into a campaign involving more than 1,000 animal welfare organizations worldwide.
Alicia Silverstone is this year's Featured RMT Luminary.
The actress, known for playing Cher Horowitz in Clueless and set to reprise the role in an upcoming six-episode Paramount+ series, follows previous celebrity advocates including Kristin Chenoweth, Kaley Cuoco and Wynonna Judd. Silverstone has spent decades as a vegan advocate, founding the wellness platform The Kind Life and authoring books including The Kind Diet and The Kind Mama.
"Remember Me Thursday is such an important reminder that these animals are here, they are worthy, and they are waiting for someone to choose them," Silverstone said.
A growing roster of celebrities and athletes backs the 2026 campaign.
New supporters this year include Bob Odenkirk, Morgan Fairchild, Alan Tudyk and Scoot McNairy, alongside Los Angeles Chargers players Daiyan Henley, Omarion Hampton and Teair Tart. Previous spokespeople have included Andie MacDowell, Katherine Heigl, Rainey Qualley and Bo Derek.
The topic has trended on Facebook and Twitter each year since the campaign's launch, driven largely by celebrity participation.