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Cat owners are crazy about their cats. You can find them posting pictures of their pets online each week for “Caturday” and sharing stories about the hilarious things their kitties have done wherever and whenever they can. But as much as cat parents celebrate their favorite felines, it still seems fitting that there should be a national day for cats, too.
And there is! National Cat Day is observed every October 29th as a way to celebrate the cats in our lives. That’s not the only reason National Cat Day exists, though. To learn more about this holiday and why it exists, plus ways to observe it, keep reading!
History of National Cat Day
Felines have been around for eons and have been popular throughout history. There’s just something about these animals that domesticated themselves to hang out with us that captures hearts. And that’s part of the reason Colleen Paige established National Cat Day.
The holiday originated in 2005 and, yes, is meant to encourage lovers of cats everywhere to celebrate all the kitties in their lives for all the joy and love these animals bring. But this day is also meant to raise awareness with the public about the large number of felines out there who need good homes. In fact, approximately 3 million cats end up in shelters each year. That’s a lot! And unfortunately, many of those cats end up being euthanized.
So, this October 29th, celebrate your cat a little more than usual and help educate others on the plight of felines without homes.
Ways to Observe National Cat Day
How can you observe and celebrate National Cat Day? There are tons of ways!
- Spoil your kitty on National Cat Day by getting them new toys, a cat tree, or a scratcher!
- Make sure your cat is up-to-date on all their vaccinations and vet visits (this is less fun for your cat, but necessary to keep them healthy and happy).
- Bake your pet some cat-friendly cookies. Or bake cookies in the shape of a cat for your human friends and family.
- Surprise your cat with a custom portrait. There are many places online (and off) where you can commission a picture or painting of your kitty. Some even include fun options like turning your pet into Princess Leia or other characters!
- Spend extra time playing with your cat on National Cat Day.
- If you don’t already have one, create a perch in a window so your pet can enjoy basking in the sun.
- Give the cat a “spa” day by brushing them incredibly well, then following up with a nice feline massage.
- Have a photoshoot with your cat. Then, post the pictures online, not only on your own social media but National Cat Day’s Facebook page, too.
- Have a party and invite all your friends who have cats!
- Check online to see if there are National Cat Day events in your area if you don’t want to play host. Larger towns and cities will likely have a few.
- Donate to a local shelter or animal welfare organization. This could be money, items such as food or treats, or even your time. Check with the shelter or organization beforehand to find out what they need most.
- If you’re able, adopt a cat from your local shelter and save a kitty’s life.
Any way you can come up with to celebrate your pet and encourage others to save cats from shelter life is an excellent way to observe National Cat Day!
Final Thoughts
National Cat Day is October 29th of each year and is a holiday meant to celebrate our feline friends, as well as to raise awareness about the plight of cats in shelters. There is a plethora of ways you can observe and celebrate this day, from spoiling your cat just a bit more than usual to helping out at local shelters and encouraging adoptions of cats from them. No matter how you observe National Cat Day, though, the most important thing is to spend quality, fun time with your kitty!
See also:
- Happy Mew Year for Cats Day: When Is It & How to Celebrate
- National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day: When & How It’s Celebrated
Featured Image Credit: Eliz A, Shutterstock
