adorable cat on National Pet Month in May.

What Cat Holidays are in May?

by Mewla Young   25 April 2026

Your guide to May cat holidays & awareness events focused on caring for and celebrating our feline friends.

May is packed with meaningful cat holidays and pet awareness events that celebrate the bond we share with our feline companions—and the responsibilities that come with loving them. Whether you’re a longtime cat parent or new to life with whiskers, these May pet celebrations offer plenty of ways to support cats, shelters, and animal welfare.

 

We hope you and your furball(s) enjoy these special May cat holidays!

Celebrate Cats, Compassion, and Responsible Pet Care All Month Long

 

May includes several important cat-related holidays and pet awareness events, such as National Pet Month, National Pet Foster Care Month, Responsible Animal Guardian Month, and Chip Your Pet Month. These celebrations focus on cat welfare, responsible pet ownership, fostering, and pet safety.

May is National Pet Month. 

National Pet Month celebrates the many ways pets enrich our lives—emotionally, physically, and socially. From comforting cuddles to playful antics, cats (and other pets) bring daily joy and companionship.

 

This month is a perfect time to:

  • Spend extra quality time with your cat
  • Learn more about feline enrichment and wellness
  • Share photos or stories that celebrate your pet

 

👉 For ideas and inspiration, check out Fun Ways to Celebrate National Pet Month [1].

May is National Pet Foster Care Month. 

Hooray for Pet Foster Caregivers!

 

The ASPCA wants you to learn about fostering as an exciting way to help animals in need. You may not be able to adopt a cat permanently, but you could help save the lives of cats (or dogs, bunnies, etc.) by becoming a pet foster parent. National Pet Foster Care Month highlights the lifesaving role foster homes play in animal welfare.

 

Why fostering cats matters:

  • Frees up space in overcrowded shelters
  • Reduces the risk of euthanasia
  • Helps cats become socialized and adoption-ready

 

Even if you can’t adopt permanently, fostering is a powerful way to help cats find their forever homes.

 

👉 Learn more through your local shelter or visit the ASPCA’s page on Foster Care Month [2].

May is Responsible Animal Guardian Month. 

Responsible Animal Guardian Month was created by In Defense of Animals. The holiday provides an opportunity to remind all pet owners that they are responsible for the their pet’s well-being.

 

The ASPCA writes that “responsible guardians are legal adults who are fully committed to humane, compassionate, lifelong care for their companion animal(s). Humane, compassionate care includes seeing to the animal’s physical, behavioral, social, and psychological needs. Ideally, guardian/companion animal relationships will endure for the life of the animal(s).” See more at Definition [4].

 

This month is a great opportunity to:

  • Refresh your knowledge on cat care
  • Improve enrichment activities for your cat (or pet)
  • Help new pet parents learn responsible practices

Of course, if you are under age 18, you still can play a very important role in helping your parent/caregiver care for your pet’s physical, behavioral, social, and psychological needs. 

 

Cats require love and care at all times, so this holiday reminds us to be present for our pets when they need us. And for people who are new to pet parenting, take some time to find out how to raise them. See more at Pet Guardians [3].

 

May is also Chip Your Pet Month. 

Did you know that nearly 10 million pets are lost each year in the U.S.?

 

For cats, the statistics are especially heartbreaking—around 98% of lost cats without microchips are never reunited with their families.[5]

 

Chip Your Pet Month raises awareness about the importance of microchipping as a simple, permanent way to identify your cat.

Why microchipping your cat matters:

  • It dramatically increases the chances of reunion with your pet
  • Shelters and vets can quickly contact you
  • Chips don’t fall off as collars can

Why not celebrate two May pet holidays at once? Being a responsible cat guardian includes ensuring your cat can always find their way home.

 

👉 Learn more at Chip Your Pet Month [5].

 

May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day

 

National Specially-Abled Pets Day celebrates caring for pets with disabilities and encourages their adoption. Specially-abled pets aren’t that different than other pets—they cuddle, play, and show affection. But, at the same time, specially-abled may need an extra level of care or attention from their pet parents to make sure that their unique needs are met.
 
How to celebrate:
 
    • Consider adopting a pet with special needs.
    • Support specially–abled pets by donating to or volunteering with organizations that care for them. 

👉 Learn more at Catster [6].

 

May (First Full Week): Be Kind to Animals Week

The American Humane Association has been championing Be Kind to Animals Week since 1915. The holiday promotes being compassionate toward animals. This includes protecting animals and their habitats.
How to celebrate:
 

 

May 30: International Hug Your Cat Day

International Hug Your Cat Day is a day to give even MORE love and affection to your cat(s). The holiday comes just a few days before National Hug Your Cat Day, which is celebrated on June 4.
How to celebrate:
 
    • Choose a cat that likes to be hugged, and the rest is easy.
    • Remember that not all cats want to be held. Sometimes an air hug will do.
    • Not sure? Ginger suggests ways to approach your cat at: Bringing Your New Cat Home

 

Celebrate May With Your Cat

Thank you for joining us in recognizing and celebrating these important May cat holidays.

 

🩵  There are so many cat celebrations in May! Which holiday means the most to you?  Be sure to share it with your fellow cat lovers and help spread awareness all month long!

 

😼😸🐈🐈‍⬛

 

See all cat awareness and holidays at Let’s Celebrate Cats!

References/Footnotes:

  1. https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-calendar/celebrate-national-pet-month/
  2. https://www.aspca.org/news/may-national-foster-care-month-we-hope-youll-consider-fostering-shelter-pet
  3. https://nationaltoday.com/responsible-animal-guardian-month/
  4. https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/definition-responsible-guardian
  5. https://nationaltoday.com/chip-your-pet-month/
  6. Psaradelis, S. (Mar 2026). National Specially-Abled Pets Day 2026: When and What Is It? (Vet-Reviewed)
    https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/national-specially-abled-pets-day/
  7. https://www.americanhumane.org/education/be-kind-to-animals-week/