16 veterinary marketing ideas for the month of May

May is just around the corner, so it’s time to get ahead of next month’s veterinary marketing strategy! We’re bringing you sixteen veterinary marketing ideas—along with a handful of eye-catching social media graphics—to save you time and keep you effortlessly engaged with your community. From raising awareness about Chip Your Pet Month to celebrating National Bird Day, we’ve got your clinic covered throughout the month of May.

Veterinary Marketing Ideas for May

1. Pet Cancer Awareness Month: It’s Pet Cancer Awareness Month this May, and you can get the word out about how common cancer is in pets and why catching it early matters. Use social media to connect with pet owners by sharing info about pet cancer, and spotlighting stories of pets who’ve fought it. You can even consider raising funds for research and treatments, and offering discounted wellness exams or extra reward points for a limited time to show how much your team values early detection and preventive care.

2. Chip Your Pet Month: This month is also about the importance of pet parents getting their beloved pets microchipped. You can head to Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms to share heartwarming stories of lost pets being reunited with their families thanks to microchips. Help pet owners understand the need for pets to have microchips, especially when they accidentally wander off or run away. If you offer microchip services at your clinic, you can guide pet owners to schedule an appointment online without having to give you a call.

3. National Pet Month: May is National Pet Month, and it’s the perfect time to show our appreciation for our pet pals. No matter if their pets are furry, feathery, funny, or friendly, you can encourage clients to share photos of their pets on your social media posts. Point them to use a designated hashtag (like #NationalPetMonth or #NPM25) with their photos, which will help spread the word and invite other pet owners to join in on the love. Your team could also offer a prize (every pet parent loves a good discount or free toy!) for the best pet photo—whether they’re shown being cute and playful or providing assistance to those with disabilities, disorders, or impairments.

4. Lyme Disease Prevention Month: The full month of May is also dedicated to raising awareness about Lyme disease, as well as how to prevent and treat it. Many pet owners don’t consider how common Lyme disease actually is for both humans and animals, nor do they consider the risks associated with the disease. You can educate your online followers by highlighting local resources, partnering with a known Lyme disease organization, or running a veterinary marketing promotion that incentivizes pet owners to stay up to date on vaccinations and year-round tick prevention.

5. Save the Rhino Day: You may not have seen this big one coming, but look out—because May 1st is Save the Rhino Day! This day is meant to raise awareness and educate the public about the major threats rhinoceroses face, like loss of habitat and poaching. It is also a day to celebrate these animals and learn new things about our rhino friends—all five species of them! Use social media to hold informative trivia contests and exciting giveaways, and be sure to communicate the need to support all the animals we’re lucky enough to share this planet with. This can be done by partnering with a local or national environmental or wildlife agency, or simply starting a fundraiser to support anti-poaching efforts around the world.

6. National Specially-abled Pets Day: Celebrated each year on May 3rd, this day shines a spotlight on the needs and well-being of pets with disabilities and disorders. It’s a day served to encourage awareness and support for these animals, which you can join in by sharing cute photos, educational posts, and inspiring stories about the challenges specially-abled pets experience throughout their lives. Shout out any of the specially-abled pets you’ve supported at your clinic, and invite team members and social media followers to share pictures or stories of their own unique pets and the challenges they’ve overcome.

7. National Bird Day: Swooping in on May 4th, National Bird Day is an annual holiday primarily celebrated by over half a million people who enjoy birdwatching, studying birds, and participating in other bird-related activities. Regardless of whether you offer avian veterinary services at your clinic, you can join in on the fun and boost engagement with your community by sharing fun facts and bird health tips on social media. You could host a photo contest or trivia game to double-down on your engagement, and offer a free beak or wing trim if you do serve bird owners and their feathery friends at your practice.

8. National Pet Week: Celebrated annually during the first full week of May (this year between the 4th and the 10th), National Pet Week is dedicated to honoring pets and all the positive things they provide us with. Whether as a companion, comedian, confidant, or protector, our pets are always there for us, and you can celebrate their bravery, loyalty, or flat-out goofiness by inviting your social media followers to leave comments, photos, or stories showcasing the pets in their lives.

This week is also for encouraging responsible pet ownership to give pets the happy and healthy lives they deserve. Provide a few best practices for ensuring the well-being of all pets, and use this as an opportunity to remind your followers about the importance of preventative care and routine check-ups. If you offer training or grooming services, now is a great time to throw in a promotion for new or existing clients!

9. Cinco de Mayo: Commemorating the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, May 5th has evolved in the United States into a festive celebration filled with great food, delicious drinks, and more. Join in on the excitement by posting fun pictures of your staff members enjoying the holiday, and encourage your social media followers to do the same!

Remember, with every party comes the risk of pets being exposed to alcohol and other harmful substances—so use this time to not only celebrate with pet owners, but also educate them on the importance of keeping toxins far out of their pets’ reach.

10. Animal Disaster Preparedness Day: Falling on the second Saturday in May each year, this May 10th is designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a day of reminding pet owners to have family disaster plans in place—particularly those that include their pets. To raise awareness for Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, you can use social media to share informative posts and pet rescue stories, partner with local welfare organizations, create and share a pet disaster preparedness checklist, and encourage your community to donate to local animal or welfare shelters. Sharing tips and taking simple, practical steps toward animal preparedness will go a long way in protecting our pet friends and family members before, during, and after unexpected situations.

11. Mother’s Day: This May 11th, turn to your social media channels to quickly let moms know how much you and your team value them. Connect with your community by exchanging touching stories about pet moms and their pet family members, and drive your engagement by offering a pet-related prize for the most inspiring story, photo, or memory. You can also partner with local shelters or rescue organizations to promote pet adoption, and reinforce the importance of being a responsible pet owner.

12. National Sea Monkey Day: Did you know sea monkeys are actually a type of brine shrimp? Share the knowledge with your community on May 16th by posting interesting facts about the unique (and somewhat peculiar) nature of these aquatic pets. Create a Facebook quiz to invite your social media followers to test their sea monkey knowledge, have them share pictures of their own sea monkey pets, and offer a discount on any aquatic products or services you may offer at your clinic.

13. National Rescue Dog Day: May 20th is for raising awareness about the need to responsibly adopt our loyal, playful, and oftentimes clumsy canine companions. You can partner with a local dog shelter or adoption agency to host virtual adoption events, run donation drives, or offer adoption-related discounts—all while educating new, existing, and prospective dog parents about responsible adoption and ownership. Consider using a relevant hashtag on social media (such as #NationalRescueDogDay or #AdoptDontShop) to drive engagement and extend your online reach.

14. World Bee Day: There’s a whole hive’s worth to honor on May 20th—it’s also World Bee Day! Celebrated all round the world, its purpose is to acknowledge the vital role of bees and other pollinators for the benefit of our ecosystem. Let your online community know valuable bee facts, like the importance of flower and garden beds in sustaining healthy levels of bee populations. You can also honor our buzzing besties by giving out flowers or flower seeds for any clients who book an appointment online, and come into your clinic on May 20th.

15. World Turtle Day: Beginning in the year 2000 and sponsored by the American Tortoise Rescue, May 23rd is an annual commemoration to turtles, and a chance to educate people about what they can do to safeguard turtle and tortoise ecosystems. It’s an important day to share facts about the dangers turtles face and actionable steps toward protecting their populations. It’s also a day to recognize the daily delight that these reptiles offer to so many people. So, with that being said, ask your community to reply to your social media posts with photos of their own turtle friends and family members, and host a contest that awards the best turtle photo with a turtle-themed giveaway!

16. Memorial Day: Honored on the last Monday of May each year, this May 26th is a day to remember and pay tribute to the members of the U.S. military who courageously lost their lives while serving. Show your support by using your social media channels to share stories that honor fallen U.S. soldiers and veterans, and use this time to draw attention to any charitable work your clinic is doing to support veterans in your community.

That’s all we have for May, but feel free to reach out to the PetDesk Team anytime for more veterinary marketing inspiration! You can also download the 2025 Pet Holiday Calendar to keep up with every occasion.

If you haven’t already, be sure to share your name and email address to have our full collection of May social media graphics sent straight to your inbox (simply refresh this page to do so). See you next time!