Helen Woodward Animal Center

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.

Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. – September 16, 2026 -- Dogs of all sizes are hitting the waves this year at Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon, an event where canine surfing skills translate directly into rescue funding for orphan pets.

Competitors surf in 10-minute heats judged by surf pros

Dogs compete in weight-class heats, each lasting 10 minutes, while a panel of surf professionals and enthusiasts score performances on ride length, wave technique, enthusiasm and confidence on the board. First-, second- and third-place winners are crowned in each weight class, with top finishers advancing to the Best-In-Surf finals.

A Freestyle contest lets dogs surf with friends and owners

A separate Freestyle Surf Contest features a Duos & Trios category, where two or three dogs share a single surfboard, and the Peeps & Pups Tandem Competition, pairing dogs with their human companions on the waves.