Mexico tradition honors deceased pets on October 27

A Mexican tradition observes the night of October 27 to 28 as a time to remember deceased pets. Linked to the broader Día de los Muertos celebrations, this observance suggests that the spirits of departed animals, such as dogs and cats, symbolically return to visit their former owners.

To commemorate this, families often create small domestic altars, or ofrendas, featuring photographs, favorite foods, toys, and candles to guide the spirits. In Mitla, Oaxaca, local artisans have begun producing personalized 'pan de muerto' decorated with pet portraits to help families include their animals in traditional offerings.

Similar themes of animal remembrance appear in other regions, such as Guatemala, where La Aurora Zoo organized a community altar for families to honor their pets, and in Sardinia, where local legends also connect animals to the spiritual world.