International Cat Day is celebrated every year on August 8th to recognize and protect the welfare of domestic cats around the world. It is a day to celebrate the companionship, charm, and behavior of cats while also raising awareness about responsible cat ownership, including spaying/neutering, veterinary care, and adoption.
The day was originally established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Since 2020, it has been coordinated by International Cat Care, a UK-based nonprofit that has worked since 1958 to improve feline health and wellbeing globally.
International Cat Day is definitely the biggest cat-themed day in August, the only other cat-specific day being National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day (August 22). The biggest cat day of the year, however, is National Cat Day (October 29).
🐱 For a full list of cat-themed days, you can read our article about national days for cat lovers.
📅 When Is International Cat Day?
International Cat Day is observed annually on August 8th. Here are the upcoming dates:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Friday, August 8 |
| 2026 | Saturday, August 8 |
| 2027 | Sunday, August 8 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, August 8 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, August 8 |
| 2030 | Thursday, August 8 |
🐾 Why the Day Matters
International Cat Day highlights issues affecting cats, such as:
- Homelessness and overpopulation
- Importance of adoption and shelter support
- Proper nutrition and healthcare
- The emotional bond between humans and cats
It also promotes initiatives that improve cat welfare and educates the public on how to ensure their feline companions live safe, healthy lives.
📚 Fun Cat Facts
- Cats can jump up to five times their own height thanks to strong back legs and flexible spines.
- They sleep up to 70% of their lives to conserve energy for hunting instincts.
- A cat’s nose print is unique, just like a human fingerprint.
- Cats have over 100 vocalizations, while dogs have about 10.
- Owning a cat may lower blood pressure and reduce stress, according to health studies.
- The “righting reflex” allows cats to land on their feet from high falls.
- Cats purr not just when content, but also when in pain or seeking comfort.
🌍 Famous Cats Through Time
- Unsinkable Sam, who survived three WWII shipwrecks
- Stubbs, honorary mayor of a town in Alaska (1997–2017)
- Tama, Japan’s train station cat, who helped save a railway
- The Cheshire Cat, Garfield, Tom, and Salem—fictional icons
- Hello Kitty, a global cultural symbol since the 1970s
- Grumpy Cat and Lil Bub, internet legends
📲 Popular Hashtags
Use these on social media to join the celebration:
#InternationalCatDay
#WorldCatDay
#CatDay #CatLovers
#InstaCat
#FelineFriends
#Meow
#PawsAndWhiskers
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
📝 This article was originally published on July 17th, 2024. It has been thoroughly updated, and the publishing date has been changed to reflect the new version.
