Happy Gotcha Day
Gotcha Day is the anniversary of the day you adopted your pet, celebrated like a birthday, especially for rescues whose real birthday is unknown. People mark it with a treat, a walk somewhere special, a donation to the shelter, or a Gotcha Day video of their pet made from photos.
- From $39
- Ready in 24 hours
- Free remake if it's not them
Updated November 6, 2026
What does Gotcha Day mean?
"Gotcha Day" is the day your pet came home for good. Many shelters and rescues don't know an animal's real birthday, so owners celebrate the adoption date instead. Some people use the name "adoption day" or "homecoming day"; it means the same thing.
Ways to celebrate
- A favorite walk, beach or park, ending with their favorite treat
- A pet-safe cake or a frozen treat
- A donation or a supply drop-off at the shelter or rescue they came from
- A new photo in the same spot every year, to see how far they've come
- A Gotcha Day video starring them, with their name and the years you've been together
A Gotcha Day video
Our Gotcha Day template puts your pet in a party crown with a cupcake, and ends on a card with their name and how many years they've been home. It's made from 5 to 10 photos you already have, and it's ready in 24 hours.
How it works
- 1
Pick a template and check out
Birthday, holiday card, dance, action scene or a gentle memorial. All we need up front is your pet's name.
- 2
Add 5 to 10 photos
Right after checkout. Phone photos are fine: a few of their face, a couple of their whole body.
- 3
Get your video within 24 hours
A person checks it looks like your pet before it reaches you. Watch, download and share.
If it doesn't look like your pet, we remake it free.
One free remake if the video doesn't look like your pet. A refund if the remake still misses. Every video is checked by a person before it reaches you.
Questions
What is Gotcha Day?
Gotcha Day is the anniversary of the day you adopted your pet. Many owners celebrate it like a birthday, especially for rescues whose real birthday is unknown.
How do you celebrate a dog's Gotcha Day?
Take them somewhere they love, give them a special treat, donate to the shelter they came from, or make a Gotcha Day video of them from your photos.