Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day Date in the current year: August 28, 2025

“Rainbow Bridge” is a phrase that describes a place where pets are believed to go after they die, to eventually be reunited with their owners. It was first mentioned in 1959 in a poem written by then 19-year-old Scottish artist Edna Clyde-Rekhy to cope with the death of her Labrador Retriever, Major.

Edna did not publish the poem, but eventually made a few copies and shared them with close friends. She did not add her name to the copies because she never imagined that her poem would spread beyond her friend circle. But that is exactly what happened: the touching poem spread across the country and eventually around the world, and the author’s name was lost in the process.

In 1994, the poem was published, unattributed, by the American advice column Dear Abby and soon became a staple in pet mourning circles. American writer Paul Koudounaris set out to find the author and eventually succeeded. His article explaining the history of the story and providing proof of authorship was published in February 2023, and Clyne-Rekhy finally received the credit she deserved for coming up with the idea of the Rainbow Bridge, which has brought comfort to millions of grieving pet owners around the world.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was created by Deborah Barnes, whose beloved Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, passed away on August 28, 2013. To cope with her grief, Deborah wrote a book entitled Purr Prints of the Heart: A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond. The book was well received by readers, which inspired Deborah to create a day where we could honor our deceased pets and remember the joy they brought to our lives. The first Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was celebrated on August 28, 2015.

There are many ways to celebrate Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day and pay tribute to your departed pets. You can share stories, photos and videos of your deceased pet(s) on social media, create an artistic tribute or digital memorial, host a memorial service, make a donation to a pet shelter or animal welfare organization in your pet’s name, plant a tree or flower in your yard in honor of your pet, and more.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day can also be a good day to get another pet. A new pet will never replace the one you lost, but it is not meant to be a replacement. They will bring their own unique companionship and help you heal and find the courage to love again. Some people choose not to get any more pets when their beloved pet dies, and that’s okay; but getting a new pet is also a valid choice and not a betrayal of your deceased pet’s memory.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is not the only day when people can honor the memory of their deceased pets. National Pet Memorial Day is observed in the United States on the second Sunday in September, and World Pet Memorial Day is observed on the second Tuesday in June.