by Mewla Young 25 Mar 2026
Your complete guide to April cat holidays & awareness events, including adoption awareness, cruelty prevention, a tabby cat tribute, and pet safety awareness.
What cat holidays are in April?
April is packed with meaningful cat holidays and pet awareness observances focused on compassion, safety, health, and adoption. From preventing animal cruelty to celebrating tabby cats and therapy animals, this month offers many ways to advocate for and celebrate our feline companions.
Below is a helpful guide to April cat holidays, along with ideas on how to observe each one.
April cat holidays include Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, National Cat Lady Day (April 19), Hairball Awareness Day (April 29), World Veterinary Day on the Last Saturday in April, as well as adoption, tabby cat, and therapy animal celebrations on April 30.
April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month was established by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to raise awareness about animal abuse and neglect.
One of the most powerful ways to help animals is to learn how to recognize the signs of abuse and know what actions to take if you suspect cruelty.
✨ How to observe:
- Review the warning signs of animal abuse at How to Stop Animal Abuse
- Report suspected cruelty to local authorities
- Support animal welfare organization
April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month encourages pet owners to prepare for emergencies. The American Red Cross promotes learning basic pet first aid and disaster preparedness in case veterinary care is temporarily unavailable.
The Red Cross’ free mobile app provides guidance for evacuations, natural disasters, and emergency situations involving pets.
✨ How to observe:
- Create a pet emergency kit
- Learn basic Cat First Aid Skills now before you need them!
Even better, take a Class in Pet First Aid.
Second Full Week of April: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week
This week honors the dedicated Animal Care and Control Officers who work tirelessly to protect animals and communities. These professionals often put themselves at risk to rescue abused, injured, and abandoned animals.
✨ How to observe:
- Thank your local Animal Control Officers for working hard to protect animals.
- Learn about the important, lifesaving work of US Animal Control Officers from USA Animal Control Director Jerrica Owen.
Third Full Week of April: Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week
The third week of April is Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week. This event highlights the documented link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence.
Led by the Humane Society of the United States, this day encourages prevention, education, and early intervention.
✨ How to observe:
- Support cruelty prevention initiatives
- Learn about the link between animal and human violence. You can start with the American Humane’s article on interpersonal violence and animal abuse.
Third Full Week of April: National Pet ID Week
National Pet ID Week also takes place during the third week of April. The observance reminds pet owners to identify their pets with ID tags and microchips.
Cats can escape when being driven to the vet or while moving homes; during an emergency or loud noises (such as fireworks); or simply when somebody opens a door at the wrong time. Because frightened indoor cats often become disoriented when outdoors, those without chips may be lost forever.
✨ How to observe National Pet ID Week:
- Learn more about microchipping your cat
- If your cat isn’t microchipped, make an appointment with your vet.
April 19 is National Cat Lady Day
National Cat Lady Day is a celebration of proudly loving cats—no stereotypes required! Whether you have one cat or ten, this day encourages us to unapologetically embrace our love for felines.
✨ How to observe:
- Whether lady or gent, share your cat pride on social media
- Celebrate your unique bond with your cat
April 29 is Hairball Awareness Day
Hairball Awareness Day focuses on feline digestive health, especially during spring shedding season. Cats ingest loose fur while grooming, which can sometimes form hairballs.
Occasional hairballs are normal, but frequent retching, lethargy, or appetite loss may signal a serious issue.
How to observe:
- Brush your cat’s coat regularly
- Monitor for concerning symptoms
- Has your cat ingested too much fur? Find out more at Cornell.com Hairball Education.
April 30 is National Tabby Day
National Tabby Day celebrates tabby cats, who make up approximately 65% of the world’s cat population. Recognized annually on April 30, this day honors the beloved tabby pattern and the cats who wear it.
✨ How to observe:
- Share photos of your tabby cat
- Learn about the genetics of tabby cats’ coats at TheLittleCarnovore.com
- Watch videos about tabby cats, such as Eight Tabby Cat Facts or Cuddling Cat Uli’s video right here:
April 30 is National Therapy Animal Day
National Therapy Animal Day, created by Pet Partners, honors therapy animals and their handlers. These pets and people provide comfort and healing in hospitals, schools, assisted living facilities, and crisis settings.
Cats, dogs, and other therapy animals help improve emotional well-being for veterans, seniors, children, and individuals facing medical or emotional challenges.
✨ How to observe:
- Thank your favorite therapy pet and animal handler
- Learn about the dedicated pets and handlers who volunteer their time to visit hospitals, pediatric care units, schools, and other facilities at (https://petpartners.org/about/)
Read more about How Therapy Cats Help Humans Heal.
The Last Saturday is World Veterinary Day
Celebrated on the last Saturday of April, World Veterinary Day honors veterinarians and veterinary staff for their dedication to animal health and welfare.
✨ How to observe:
- Thank your veterinarian
- Support veterinary mental health initiatives
- Learn about Cat-Friendly Certified veterinary practices (cat-only and mixed practices) Cat-Friendly Certified veterinary practices (cat-only and mixed practices) from the senior advisor to the CATalyst Council, veterinarian Dr. Jane Brunt
Celebrate April With Your Cat
Thank you for joining us in recognizing and celebrating these important April cat holidays. There’s so many to choose from, so I hope that you take time to meaningfully celebrate at least a few.
💚 Which April cat holiday means the most to you? Be sure to share it with your fellow cat lovers and help spread awareness all month long!
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