International Cat Day

What Is International Cat Day?

August 8th is "International Cat Day." Established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a global animal welfare organization headquartered in the United States, it's a day for people around the world to reflect on the presence and wellbeing of cats.

A Day to Think About Cats, Shared Across the Globe

International Cat Day isn't just a day for cat lovers to gather -- it also aims to raise awareness of the issues surrounding cats' welfare.

• Origins: proposed by IFAW, which carries out animal protection work around the world; it is a day to think about protecting cats, from house cats to wild cats
• A change of custodian: since 2020, the day has been looked after by International Cat Care, a British cat welfare charity
• Global spread: with the rise of social media, sharing cat photos and videos under "#InternationalCatDay" has become a worldwide tradition
• Related efforts: often paired with campaigns promoting adoption of rescue cats and spay/neuter awareness for stray cats

"Cat Day" Differs by Country

In Japan, February 22nd ("2-2-2," read as a pun on "nyan nyan nyan," the sound a cat makes) is beloved as "Cat Day," distinct from "International Cat Day" on August 8th, which was proposed by an international animal welfare organization. Cat days also vary elsewhere: in the United States, October 29th is "National Cat Day," and in Russia, March 1st is celebrated as a cat day.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Spend a little extra time with your cat today
• Look into rescue cat adoption programs or adoption events in your area
• Share a favorite photo of your cat on social media
• Enjoy a book or film about cats, and appreciate the depth of these creatures

Every "Meow" Around the World, United for a Day

Across countries with different languages and cultures, people pause on the same day to think of cats. August 8th is a day when that small shared thread gently connects the world.