Hug a Sheep Day

Hug a Sheep Day is observed on the last Saturday of October, which in 2026 falls on 31 October.

History: it was created by the Crazy Sheep Lady of Equinox Farm in memory of her first rescued sheep, Punkin, and became an official observance in 2015, with roots back to the mid-1990s. The idea is simple and gentle: appreciate sheep, farm animals and the people who care for them, and support animal rescue and humane farming.

How to celebrate: visit a farm, petting zoo or animal sanctuary if one is open near you, learn about sheep breeds and wool, support a local farm shop, donate to an animal rescue, or simply share a sheep photo or fact. Always be gentle and follow the farm’s rules — do not hug animals that are stressed, ill or not used to people, and wash your hands afterwards.

Facts: sheep have been domesticated for thousands of years for wool, milk and meat; a group of sheep is called a flock; sheep are social animals that recognise faces.

Related: see also https://observancedaily.com/october-31