Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was created by Deborah Barnes in memory of her adored cat, Mr. Jazz, who passed away on August 28, 2013. To help process her grief, she wrote Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death and Beyond. The book resonated deeply with readers who had also experienced the loss of a pet. From this shared expression of love and remembrance, a global day of reflection was born.
Today, the day is not only about mourning, it’s about celebrating the lives of pets and cherishing the memories that continue to bring us comfort.