Here are some great ways to honor and celebrate cats this month!
August is “Clear the Shelters Month.”
Let’s make sure all the extra cats waiting for forever homes get adopted this month! This holiday was created in collaboration with NBC-owned TV stations and the Telemundo Station Group. The stations feature low-cost and no-cost adoptable pets waiting in shelters across the US. For more information, see: https://www.cleartheshelters.com/ Thinking of adopting? Ginger can help you find your perfect match at Find the Right Cat for You.
August 8 is National Cat Day in Canada.
This Canadian holiday was created to help their country’s many homeless cats find a family of their own. Learn about all the national cat days, including when your country celebrates, at National Cat Day Celebrations.
August 8 is also International Cat Day
International Cat Day was created to help build awareness of cats’ needs and how to protect them TrailTimes.com. The holiday was started by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which provides hands-on assistance to and protection of animals in need, including wild animals that are poached and illegally sold. They also provide global leadership on issues affecting animals’ health, well-being, and survival (https://www.ifaw.org/).
In 2020, International Cat Care began hosting the yearly celebration, so check out their fun website at (https://icatcare.org/international-cat-day/).
Curious about how many cats are in different countries across the world? Kwazi, Uli, and Ginger share on their YouTube cat video How Many Cats Are in the World?
Kwazi, Uli, and Ginger demonstrate what to do on National Lazy Day.
August 10 is National Lazy Day.
National Lazy Day is a day that we humans should join our feline friends for a leisurely day of chilling. The holiday is promoted via the Social Paws social media campaign, with support from a partnership between The Ad Council, The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund, and J. Walter Thompson. See more at daysoftheyear.com
August 15 is National Check the Chip Day.
Each year, about 10 million pets are lost in America, with millions ending up in animal shelters. Almost all (98% to be exact) of cat parents who lose their cats and have not chipped their pet will never find their fur ball again (Microchip your pet). If your pet gets lost, the microchip will help ensure the shelter or center can find you and get in touch.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have joined together to create “Check the Chip Day” (avma.org). Here’s two ways that pet owners cat can celebrate:
- If your pet isn’t already microchipped, make an appointment with your veterinarian for microchipping (then make sure that your pet’s chip is immediately registered).
- If your pet is already microchipped, check your pet’s registration information in the microchip manufacturer’s database, and make sure it’s up-to-date!
For more information, go to https://www.avma.org/events/national-check-chip-day
August 17 is National Black Cat Appreciation Day.
Superstitions related to black cats began during the Medieval Period. Among the rumors that circulated during the backlash against female shamans (witches) was that they used black cats to deliver evil spells. At one point, even Pope Gregory IX alleged that black cats were associated with Satan (Sheldon, 2018). The superstition that people will have bad luck if a black cat crosses their path began during this period. Sadly, some people still hold these fears and beliefs today. A research study even showed that people are slower to adopt black cats than cats of other colors (Leper, Kass, & Hart, 2002).
People who know black cats know how sweet, loving, and beautiful they are. August 17 is the day to spread the word and help end ridiculous superstitions about these loving animals.
The Third Saturday in August is International Homeless Animals Day.
On International Homeless Animals’ Day, the International Society for Animal Rights, animal protection organizations, humane societies, rescue groups, veterinary professionals, caring individuals, public officials, and animal-friendly businesses from the United States, Mexico, Canada, and other countries join in promote the need to spay, neuter and adopt cats and other pets (https://internationalsocietyforanimalrights.com).
Spraying and neutering are proven ways to help end the euthanasia of pets worldwide. For excellent, free booklets and podcasts to help you learn more about saving cats via spaying and neutering, check out Alley Cat Rescue and Community Cats Podcast.
EXCELLENT SPAYING/NEUTERING RESOURCES:
AllyCat Rescue @ https://www.saveacat.org/ Retrieved July 16, 2023.
Community Cats Podcasts @ www.communitycatspodcast.com Retrieved July 16, 2023.
ACADEMIC REFERENCES:
Leper, Kass, and Hart (2002). Prediction of Adoption Versus Euthanasia Among Dogs and Cats in a California Animal Shelter [accessed 2023 July]. http://www.animalsandsociety.org/assets/library/78_jaawsleeper.pdf
Sheldon, N. “Thou Shalt not suffer a Cat to Live”: Why Pope Gregory IX’s Vox in Rama Implicated Cats in Devil Worship. History Collection. 2018 [accessed 2023 July. https://historycollection.com/thou-shalt-not-suffer-a-cat-to-live-why-pope-gregory-ixs-vox-in-rama-implicated-cats-in-devil-worship/.
