by Nancy Hassel, American Pet Professionals
With Mother’s Day literally around the corner, pet business owners don’t forget about Dog Mom’s Day (Saturday, May 9th), and all the amazing Cat Moms too! If you have not planned anything to celebrate this weekend, here are some quick ideas that you can set up and promote before the weekend.
Pet Mom’s Special Promotion – This is simple and effective: ’10% off for Pet Moms’ only on Saturday, May 9th, 2026. Don’t overthink it, and this can be done in-store, or online. Promote it to your customers on social and in your email newsletter.
Create a simple and Fun In-Store Photo Backdrop – Add a few balloons, Dog Mom’s Day and Cat Mom sign, a backdrop that pops in a solid color, faux flowers, props for the pets to wear (if they don’t mind it), and they can come in and take their own photos. Encourage tagging on social media to create a bit of FOMO.
Make Pet Mom Bundles for Purchase! Create grab-and-go bundles: toy + treats + something for mom (coffee mug, wine glass, candle, etc.). Pre-wrap them and put them right by checkout and/or post about them for sale, and have the ability for customers to pre-purchase. You can then create promos saying how many you may have left to have that sense of urgency You can create dog-themed, cat-themed, bird-themed, whoever your popular clientele is. \
Social Media Contest – ‘Show us your Pet Mom life!’ Simple to do on your Facebook page or Instagram accounts. Facebook, they can post under your promo, IG they can tag your pet business. Cutest photo wins a small prize, or you can just spin a wheel for the winner. Super easy, fast engagement, and not too much effort on your part. This can be for any type of pet business.
Mocktails for Pet Moms + Puptails for Pups – If you have the space, host a quick Mocktails & Puptails event, which can bring customers to your store. Have a quick registration (to capture their contact info), and host from 4 – 6 pm this way you can manage the amount of customers in your space. Or stop by for a Mocktail & Puptail on Saturday, May 9, 2026, to celebrate dog moms.
Coffee & Donuts Meet-Up in your space – Partner with a local coffee shop or just grab a few boxes, low lift, high connection. Donuts on us, for all the pet moms out there! Great excuse to get people in the door.
“Treat Mom Too” Freebie
Gift for the pet mom’s out there with any purchase, include a small freebie for the human (tea packet, chocolate, coffee shop $5 gift card, sticker, etc.). Let your customers know as they are shopping in the store, and it will be an unexpected and memorable extra they were not expecting. And don’t forget to include your brochure, business card, or even a flier to have them tag you with a photo of the gift they got.
Simple – Have an email list? Send out a simple email wishing all your customers a Happy Mother’s Day weekend, and to the pet mom’s too. You don’t have to be selling anything, just a note of thanks for your business, type of email celebrating all the moms out there.
If you do incorporate any of these ideas above into your business this week, feel free to tag @Americanpetpros on Insta. See what I did there? 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!