MewlaYoung.com

What Cat Holidays are in October?

Mewla — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 20:40:34 +0000

by Mewla Young

Here are some important ways to honor and celebrate cats this month.

October is an important month for cats and animal advocates. From celebrating black cats and promoting pet wellness to raising awareness about animal safety and welfare, these October cat holidays offer ways to help improve cats’ lives. Below are ten cat- and animal-related observances, along with ways you can take action.

This October, celebrate World Animal Month, Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, Black Cat Awareness Month and National Black Cat Days (October 17 in Britain; October 27 in the USA), Feral and Global Cat Day (both October 16), National Cat Day (October 29, USA) and more!

October Is World Animal Month

World Animal Month and World Animal Day have been around since 1931. The holidays are a time to promote compassion for animals, based on the teachings of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals. Both holidays encompass many areas of animal welfare.

Throughout October, organizations in more than 100 countries host events and campaigns to support animals—including cats. Learn more at Cattipper.com.

October 4: World Animal Day

World Animal Day, celebrated on October 4, shares the same roots as World Animal Month. Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, this day encourages kindness and advocacy for all animals.

Black cats are celebrated in October.

October Is Black Cat Awareness Month

October is dedicated to celebrating and protecting black cats. Sadly, black cats are still affected by long-standing myths and superstitions that began during the medieval period, when they were falsely associated with evil or bad luck (Sheldon, 2018).

Research has shown that black cats may take longer to be adopted than cats of other colors, despite being playful, loving, and loyal companions (Leeper et al., 2002).

Spreading awareness helps combat these harmful beliefs and keeps black cats safer—especially during Halloween season.

Help Support and Protect Black Cats

- Share positive stories and photos of black cats
- Educate others about black cat myths
- Adopt or foster a black cat if you’re able
- Take extra safety precautions around Halloween

National Black Cat Day: October 17 (UK) and October 27 (USA)

National Black Cat Day is celebrated on October 17 (in the UK) and October 27 (in the United States). The day encourages people to appreciate black cats and advocate for their safety.

And don’t forget to keep your babies safe on Halloween. Keeping cats indoors, supervising outdoor time, and avoiding costumes or decorations that could pose hazards are simple ways to protect them.

For readers in countries that celebrate Halloween:

- Find helpful general suggestions at Feline Behavior Solutions’ Halloween Tips
- Find cat costume tips from Ginger at Dressing Up Your Cat

October Is National Animal Safety and Protection Month

National Animal Safety and Protection Month reminds pet caregivers to plan ahead for emergencies and natural disasters.

Ways to Improve Animal Safety

Have a plan for evacuations or medical emergencies
Create a pet emergency kit
Keep ID tags and microchips up to date

Preparing ahead of time can save your cat’s life!

October Is National Pet Wellness Month

Founded in 2004, National Pet Wellness Month focuses on the physical and mental well-being of pets. Routine wellness exams help detect health issues early and keep cats thriving.

Has it been a while since your cat’s last wellness check-up? Maybe it’s time to call the veterinary clinic to check if your furbaby healthy. Find more ways to observe the holiday at FirstVet.com.

Second Wednesday of October: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day

When was the last time you saw your pet’s waistline? National Pet Obesity Awareness Day highlights the growing problem of pet obesity.

Cats who weigh too much are at risk for diabetes, joint disease, heart issues, and shortened lifespans (PetObesity.com). Helping your cat maintain a healthy weight through proper nutrition and regular play is one of the best ways to support your cat’s long-term health.

Find other pet weight suggestions at PetObesity.com.

October 16: Feral Cat Day and Global Cat Day

National Feral Cat Day, a sub-celebration of Global Cat Day, is a day of advocacy for stray and community cats. Alley Cat Allies created the holiday to raise awareness about community cats, advocate for their humane treatment, and promote effective ways to care for them, which includes humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning outdoor cats to their colonies.

How to participate in National Feral Cat Day:

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): Educate your community about TNR to help stabilize outdoor cat populations.
Community Support: Donate food, shelter, and medical care to local feral cat colonies.
Advocacy: Become involved in local rescue groups.

Cats around the world can face cruelty and threats to their lives. Global Cat Day encourages cat lovers around the world to help end cruel practices that harm cats worldwide. Read about more ways you can help at globalcatday.org/about/.

Third Week of October: National Veterinary Technician Week

We love our veterinary technicians! That’s why we celebrate National Veterinary Technician Week.

Vet techs manage many day-to-day tasks in veterinary clinics (AVMA.org), helping to keep our babies happy and healthy. A simple thank-you can go a long way.

Celebrate October With Cats in Mind

From advocacy and safety to wellness and appreciation, you can honor and help cats throughout October by celebrating these cat-related holidays and observances.

Which October cat holidays are your favorites? Share this article with fellow cat lovers. Spread awareness and celebrate your favorite holidays with friends.

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

References:

AVMA.org. National Veterinary Technician Week. Downloaded September 2023 from https://www.avma.org/national-veterinary-technician-week#Learn%20More
Cattipper.com. October 4 is World Animal Day. Downloaded September 2023 from https://www.cattipper.com/news/2017/october-4-is-worldanimalday.html.
Feline Behavior Solutions. Cat Safety on Halloween: It’s not that Scary. Downloaded September 2023 from https://felinebehaviorsolutions.com/cat-safety-on-halloween/
FirstVet.com. 5 Ways to Celebrate Your Pet During Pet Wellness Month. Downloaded September 2023 from https://firstvet.com/us/articles/5-ways-to-celebrate-your-pet-during-pet-wellness-month
Globalcatday.com. The Global Cat Day mission. Downloaded September 2023 from https://globalcatday.org/about/
Leeper, M. et al. (2002). Prediction of Adoption vs. Euthanasia among Dogs and Cats in a California Animal Shelter. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 5, 29-41. Downloaded September 2023 from https://web.archive.org/web/20100401052756/http:/www.animalsandsociety.org/assets/library/78_jaawsleeper.pdf
Petobesityprevention.com. Healthy Pet Weight Ranges. Downloaded September 2023 from https://www.petobesityprevention.org/ideal-weight-ranges
Sheldon, N. (2018). “Thou Shalt not suffer a Cat to Live”: Why Pope Gregory IX’s Vox in Rama Implicated Cats in Devil Worship. Downloaded September 2023 from https://historycollection.com/thou-shalt-not-suffer-a-cat-to-live-why-pope-gregory-ixs-vox-in-rama-implicated-cats-in-devil-worship/

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How to Dress Up Your Cat: Costume Tips from Ginger

Mewla — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 23:27:39 +0000

Ginger the Cat shares her tips for choosing a safe, comfortable Halloween costume for your fuzzy feline.

Ginger Grrrl here.

So, you want to try a costume on your cat?

Silly people, you’ve been suckering us into dressing up ever since you learned to bribe us with food. In the 1400’s, King Charles VIII of France had robes made for his dog and pet marmot. In the 1800’s, England’s Queen Victoria dressed her dog in a jacket and trousers.[1]

Thinking about dressing up your cat?

Before choosing a costume, make sure it is comfortable, safe, properly fitted, and free of loose pieces your cat could chew or swallow. Never force a cat to wear a costume, and always supervise her while she’s dressed up.

I’z cute and comfy, too.

Today, thanks to social media, you humans are more determined than ever to dress us up. However, if you use costumes irresponsibly, you will have one angry cat on your hands. The key is to respect your pet and work with her.

Should you force your cat to wear a costume? No, dear human! Don’t be mean! That said, there are ways to help your cat not mind wearing a costume.

Here are some recommendations from me, Ginger the Cat.

How Do I Choose a Halloween Costume for my Cat?

When choosing a Halloween costume, here are my suggestions:

Make sure the costume is made ofpet-safe materials.
Never use paint or cosmetics.
Avoid masks or shoes.
For God’s sake, avoid dangling accessories that we could choke on.[3]
Be wary of headpieces, especially if they are plastic or heavy. I tolerated the light, fabric Wonder Woman crown here for 60 seconds, then it was off for good.

Me wearing my Wonder Woman crown (for 60 seconds).

How Should I Introduce a Costume to My Cat?

We cats need to check out the new costume. Don’t just slap it on us. Present it to your cat. Let us paw it, bite it, push it away, whatever we want. The important thing is that your cat is familiar with it, feels respected, and has a sense of control.

How Can I Get My Cat Used to a Costume?

Watch Uli try a comfortable lion Halloween costume.

As with new bedding and scratching posts, we cats need time to adjust to the odor of a costume. Our sense of smell is highly sensitive, and those polyester costumes reek.

Have a new costume? Stick it next to the cat when he’s sleeping. Then just leave it on his bed for a few days. Eventually, your cat may curl up and sleep on it. Pretty soon, the costume will smell just like us.

How Do I Make Sure that the Costume Is Comfortable?

Of course, we cats are more likely to wear costumes that are comfortable. I don’t mind wearing light, soft capes, but I will not tolerate a heavy costume or a plastic head piece. I was shocked that Uli didn’t mind his lion’s mane costume (see above), but he said the mane was soft and light. Once he spent a week sitting on it and became used to its odor, he barely knew it was there!

Which Halloween cat costume do you like best?

How Long Can a Cat Wear a Costume?

Keep our costume sessions short!

Good gracious, always have have the camera and background ready to go, and get it over with! Don’t make your cat suffer through a long photoshoot.

Some cats don’t mind wearing costumes for longer than a few minutes. However, even if your cat appears relaxed, always stay with her when she’s in a costume and keep an eye on her body language for signs of discomfort.

What are signs that my cat is uncomfortable?

Your job as a cat guardian is to keep us cats feeling safe and respected.

Cats are showing you physical or emotional distress if they:

- freeze or show tense posturing crouched low to the ground
- keep their tail tucked low to the ground
- have wide, dilated pupils[4]
- flatten their ears
- try to escape
- try to hide
- otherwise struggle [2, 3]

If your cat shows any of these signs of distress, the costume comes off! Your cat is not comfortable.

What If My Cat Hates Wearing a Costume?

If your cat does not like wearing a costume, perhaps he’ll tolerate a cute, Halloween-themed collar or tie instead.[3]

IF ALL ELSE FAILS…

Respect your cat’s wishes.

If your cat still balks at any costume or collar, wait a year or two. Kwazi and Uli wanted no part of wearing costumes when they were young cats. Now that my stepbrothers are over older, costumes don’t seem to bother them.

By Ginger Grrrl with a little help from Mewla Young Sept2026

Thank you for visiting MewlaYoung.com.

See these REFERENCES for more suggestions:

Coats, Collars, and Capes: Royal Fashions for Animals in the Early Modern Period,” in Medieval Clothing and Textiles, Vol. 12, (2016), pp. 61-94. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781782047698.005
https://www.thedrakecenter.com/services/cats/blog/national-dress-your-pet-day
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/seven-tips-safe-pet-costumes
https://www.chewy.com/education/cat/health-and-wellness/is-your-cat-stressed

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Meet CatVideoFest Founder, Director Will Braden!

Mewla — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 01:41:34 +0000

By Mewla Young with Will Braden

CatVideoFest 2026 is bringing the best, funniest, cutest, and most amazing cat videos to theaters worldwide! I caught up with founder and director Will Braden to learn how he finds thousands of cat videos each year, what makes a clip CatVideoFest-worthy, and his tips to help amateur videographers capture great cat footage.

Will Braden was a student at the Seattle Film Institute when he first created the cat video, “Henri, le Chat Noir”, a satire of French New Wave cinema featuring Henri’s pessimistic musings. The video was a hit, going viral on the internet. Will’s follow-up Henri film won the 2012 Golden Kitty award at the first Internet Cat Video Film Festival and received over a million views online.

What is CatVideoFest?

CatVideoFest is a yearly, family-friendly theatrical compilation of the best and funniest cat videos, and includes animations, music videos, as well as classic internet clips compiled into one cat-tastic theatrical experience! Catch the 75-minute compilation at a local theater near you.

Will went on to produce and direct the globally distributed CatVideoFest, a feature-length video montage of cats knocking things off tables, sneaking up on people, and performing amazing physical feats like scaling the side of a building. The video festival travels to hundreds of theaters each year, providing a group viewing experience for cat lovers. Every showing also raises funds for local animal welfare and cat charities.

Mewla: Welcome, Will Braden! We are so excited for CatVideoFest. Tell us—about how many cat video clips did you review in the past year to come up with this year’s montage?

Will: As a rule, I don’t ever do an official count of how many cat videos I watch, because it might make me feel crazy. But my best estimate is that I watch about 20,000 or so a year now. It’s a lot!

Mewla: Wow! Absolutely! We love all types of cat videos. Roughly what percentage of clips chosen for the festival are “silly cat” videos vs. cute “awww factor” videos vs. “cats are amazing” videos (the latter featuring remarkable physical feats)?

Will: It’s a good question. The classic cat video, where a cat just does something funny or surprising and it’s caught on camera usually by accident, is the meat and potatoes of CatVideoFest every year. But if that was all there was to the reel, I think it would not only feel repetitive but also make people feel too much like it was the same as the algorithm on social media just clicking next. So I have to make sure to include a lot of variety, with animated clips, music videos, mini documentaries, etc. I would say less than half of the videos are the “silly cat” type. I always pepper in a few blatant “aww” videos. People need a short break from laughing to catch their breath!

“The classic cat video, where a cat just does something funny or surprising, and it’s caught on camera usually by accident, is the meat and potatoes of CatVideoFest…”

-Will Braden

Mewla: What strikes you about a particular video clip that makes you more likely to choose it for the CatVideoFest?

Will: The biggest thing people should be aware of is length. The reel is about 75 minutes and I usually get up to 200 separate clips in there. So even if someone makes the best cat video ever, if it’s 7 minutes long, I will have to trim it down a lot. Beyond that, there’s really no way to say what is going to work and what isn’t. If it’s got a cat in it, it might make it in!

I will say, if you want your video to have a better chance of going viral, make sure the big laugh or big aww moment happens right at the end. If the video ends and people are still enjoying it, they’re much more likely to share it. Don’t overstay your welcome!

Mewla: About what percent of videos that appear in CatVideoFest are more like scripted short films versus your everyday spontaneous cat videos?

Will: It depends on what you mean by scripted. In terms of an actual scripted video, I would say it’s fairly low. Maybe 10% of the reel.

But there are a lot of videos that are curated and produced, even if they aren’t scripted beforehand. So if those count, in the sense that someone had an idea beforehand and then edited footage to fit that, I’d say it’s maybe 30%. (For example, if someone films the entire process of rescuing a feral cat and then edits it down to a video, with music, and subtitles, etc.)

Mewla: Most videos these days are recorded via a cell phone. Do you have recommendations for amateur videographers about how to ensure high-quality cat video footage?

Will: I love this question! Lighting is a big one! Even just taking a quick second to turn on a light before you film is really important. iphone and other smartphones are much better in low light than they used to be, but they always aim for maximum visibility over maximum quality.

If it is dark when you film your cat, your phone isn’t thinking, “Well, this might someday be projected on a movie screen, so even if it is a little dark, I better preserve the quality!” No, instead it sacrifices clarity of image to make it as bright as it would be if it were filmed in normal lighting. And you can’t undo that

The other thing I would say is don’t try to zoom in too far. Image quality on newer phones is good enough that you can just capture everything in frame and then crop and zoom a little later if need be. When you zoom in too far, you increase shakiness and increase the chance you will miss some important stuff. Cats don’t often stay still for long, so give them a lot of space in the frame to move!

Mewla: That is fantastic advice--thank you so much! Now one more question that you might never have answered before. You've spent many days viewing, choosing, and assembling cat videos. After a long day, have you ever dreamed about cat videos or had a cat video nightmare?

Will: What a great question! I can honestly say that while I have definitely dreamt about CatVideoFest shows (typical work anxiety dreams) a few times, I have never had a full on cat video dream or cat video nightmare. But hey, I’m only 15 years into this as a full time gig. Ask me again in another 15!

Mewla: LOL! Okay, it's a deal! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, Will. We can't wait to catch the Fest this year.

Care to submit a video to CatVideoFest?

Cat videographers! To have a video considered for next year’s CatVideoFest, submit the video link to the CatVideoFest website submission page at https://catvideofest.com, or submit videos by Tweeting them at X @CatVideoFest.

What’s your favorite thing (feature, etc.) about cat videos?

Let us know in a comment below.

MewlaYoung.com August 2026

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My Therapist Has Whiskers: A Cat’s Advice for Stressed-Out Teens

Mewla — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 04:27:11 +0000

Or, Why Some Teens Need a Therapy Pet

By Ginger Grrrl with a little help from Mewla Young

August 5, 2026

Dear teenage humans,

Ginger Grrrl here.

It’s come to my attention that some of you really could use our help. The CDC found that you teenagers –especially girls—deal with some heavy doo-doo way too often.[1] Teen girls said that they regularly deal with crass jokes, sexual harassment, and sometimes even violence from boys and men. More than 11% of girls told the CDC that they were forced to have sex during the previous year.

Excuse me… but WHAT THE FURBALL?!!

No teenager should ever have to go through something like that.

You deserve someone who listen to you and take your struggles seriously.

Teens and Mental Health

Given everything many of you face, it’s not surprising that 41% of girls reported feeling sad or hopeless, compared with about 21% of boys. Those numbers represent real young people who are hurting. And some of you seem to have no one to help you deal with your troubles.

Then I read something that broke my fuzzy little heart a little more. When asked about the past year [1]:

- - Many teen girls (17%) and boys (12%) planned how they would attempt suicide.
  - Sadly, almost one in ten girls and one in twenty boys actually did try to kill themselves.

If that’s you—or someone you care about—please know this:

You deserve help. You deserve kindness. And you deserve to feel safe.

Some of you may have parents or others who love you and look out for you. But sometimes that’s not enough. Sometimes parents and friends are too distracted to support you.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself, talking with a mental health professional or another trusted adult can make a huge difference.

Mental health therapy can help you take care of yourself, but when people let you down, I bet some of you could use a hug from a soft fluffball like me.

Now, I’m a cat, not a licensed therapist.

But…

I am an expert at curling up beside sad humans, purring at exactly the right moment, and reminding people they aren’t alone.

As it turns out, science says my fellow animals and I are pretty good at that.

How Cats (and Other Pets) Can Help

I’ve talked before about animal-assisted therapy—where specially trained pets hang out at hospitals, schools, counseling centers, and other places to comfort people (see https://mewlayoung.com/the-doctor-is-in/).

Turns out, researchers have studied how this helps teenagers, too.

One study followed more than 150 children and teens who had survived sexual abuse. Those who got to hang out with therapy animals had less anxiety, depression, anger, and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and felt better.[2]

Some research divides teenagers into groups where only half receive animal-assisted therapy. These studies show that the teens who get to hang out with animals do a lot better than those who don’t. For example:

- - One program for teens with “severe conduct disorder” found that visits from animals made kids less aggro. Those who received pet visits were also more affectionate, nurturing, playful, and cooperative. [3]
  - Another group studied teens and pre-teens who had problems like depression, eating disorders, and/or wanting to kill themselves. Animal visits helped kids function much better. For example, the teens were able to go to school more often.[4]
  - A group of teens in residential treatment for mental health problems had stronger social skills, showed more leadership, and less hyperactive behavior compared to their peers who did not have animal visits.[5]
  - Teens in treatment for trauma (such as sexual abuse) who had visits from animals had less anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, and dissociation.[6]

Your Mini Therapist

Here’s the best part, cherished teen. You don’t need an official therapy cat wearing a fancy little vest. Sometimes… you just need a cat.

Cat caretakers described us this way:

“Sharing time with my cats is one of the highlights of my day.”
“My cat is there whenever I need comfort.”
“My cat helps me get through tough times.”
“My cat is one of my best friends.”

Honestly? That’s exactly the job description I signed up for.

Now Back to Teenagers...

This brings me back to the teens who feel sad or hopeless and to the precious kids who thought about wanting to die. If animal-assisted therapy helps teens in group settings, I know we could help you, too.

If you can’t adopt a cat right now, ask a trusted adult whether you can:

visit a cat café,
spend time with cats at a local animal shelter,
volunteer (if you’re old enough),
visit a neighbor or relative who has a friendly cat, or
when in a pinch, watch some cat videos.

Even a short visit with an affectionate cat can brighten a bad day.

Cats in feral colonies also need looking after. Sterling “TrapKing” Davis, has shared how caring for community cats helped him through a very difficult childhood. Read his story at TrapKing.

Learn about feral cat colonies from organizations like Alley Cat Rescue (see SaveACat.org) and Neighborhood Cats (https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/resources).

A Plea on Behalf of Cats

Sadly, some cats have been treated poorly by humans. These cats have turned away from people and may never be able to trust humans again.

Cats must be treated with kindness and respect. Cats who are raised with love and affection return that affection. These cats have lots of healing purrs to share.

For hints from me on how to care for a cat, see https://mewlayoung.com/choosing-a-cat/.

In Summary

In summary, some of you teenagers are dealing with far more stress, harassment, anxiety, and heartbreak than any young human should have to face. We all need to try a little harder to help and protect you.

And every teenager deserves someone who listens without judging.

Sometimes that’s a counselor.

Sometimes it’s a trusted adult.

And sometimes it’s a little furry therapist who curls up beside you, starts purring, and somehow makes the whole world feel a tiny bit better.

We cats can’t fix everything, but we can remind you that you’re not facing life alone.

Do you think cats can help teens cope with anxiety, depression, or loneliness?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

MewlaYoung.com August 2026

REFERENCES

Center for Disease Control (2022). Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm
Dietz, T. J., Davis, D., & Pennings, J. (2012). Evaluating animal-assisted therapy in group treatment for child sexual abuse. Journal of child sexual abuse, 21(6), 665-683. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23194140/
Katcher, A., & Teumer, S. (2006). A 4-year trial of animal-assisted therapy with public school special education students. Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice, 2, 227-242. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0033294115626633
Stefanini, M. C., Martino, A., Allori, P., Galeotti, F., & Tani, F. (2015). The use of Animal-Assisted Therapy in adolescents with acute mental disorders: A randomized controlled study. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 21(1), 42-46. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25701449/
Balluerka, N., Muela, A., Amiano, N., & Caldentey, M. A. (2015). Promoting psychosocial adaptation of youths in residential care through animal-assisted psychotherapy. Child abuse & neglect, 50, 193-205. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26443670/
Balluerka, N., Muela, A., Amiano, N., & Caldentey, M. A. (2014). Influence of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on the attachment representations of youth in residential care. Children and Youth Services Review, 42, 103-109. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-21557-014
Pet Partners in Collaboration with Dr. Lori Kogan (2024). Exploring the Cat:Human Bond Through the Special Impact of Therapy Cats. https://petpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EXPLORING-THE-CAT-HUMAN-BOND.pdf

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What Cat Holidays are in September?

Mewla — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 03:18:04 +0000

by Mewla Young

We have some fun and important ways to celebrate cats this month.

September is a special month for cats and animal lovers alike. From celebrating feline happiness and coat colors to raising awareness about animal pain and professional pet care, these September cat holidays offer important ways to support cats’ physical, emotional, and well-being from head to paw.

In September, we celebrate Happy Cat Month, Animal Pain Awareness Month, Ginger Cat Appreciation Day (September 1), National White Cat Day (September 5 ), Tuxie Cat Appreciation Day (September 9), Beckoning Cat Day (September 29), and Pet Sitter Education Month.

September is Happy Cat Month

September is officially Happy Cat Month. The holiday was created by the CATalyst Council [1], a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for cats and the people who care for them.

Happy Cat Month [2] focuses on cats’ physical and mental health, encouraging guardians to learn more about enrichment, stress reduction, and preventive veterinary care.

Learn more about Happy Cat Month and feline well-being at the CATalyst Council website.

Learn about the CATalyst Council’s mission from this interview with Dr. Jane Brunt, DVM, one of its founders.

September is Pain Awareness Month

Cats often hide pain. This means people often don’t notice when cats are ill or in pain. Animal Pain Awareness Month is recognized each September by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management [3]. The organization has a great website to help people recognize the subtle signs of pain in animals.

Celebrate Pain Awareness Month by learning about and letting others know about the signs of pain in cats.

Signs include:

Changes in mood, especially increased irritability
Lowered appetite or changes in eating habits
Less jumping, playing, or grooming
Hiding more than usual
Use this helpful checklist to review the other ways cats may show their pain [4]

September 1 is Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Celebrate Ginger cats by watching a video.

Ginger Cat Appreciation Day was founded by a Wisconsin software engineer in 2014 to pay tribute to his longtime companion, Doobert.[4]

Celebrate by kissing a ginger cat, sharing photos, or by clicking on this video about ginger cats.

In addition to honoring our spicy red-headed cats on the first, we also celebrate two other cat colors in September…

September 5 is National White Cat Day

National White Cat Day honors one of the rarest coat colors in the feline world. White fur is caused by a gene that masks other coat colors, and only about 5% of cats have solid white coats.

Celebrate the holiday by kissing a white cat, sharing photos, or by clicking on this video about white cats.

Celebrate white cats on National White Cat Day.

September 9 is Tuxie Cat Appreciation Day

Celebrate tuxedo cats on Tuxie Cat Appreciation Day.

Tuxedo (or tuxie) cats are known for their distinctive two-tone coats that often resemble formalwear. While black-and-white is the most common combination, tuxedo cats can also be gray-and-white, brown-and-white, or even orange-and-white. Tuxies also have white whiskers, adding to their debonair appearance.[6]

Celebrate Tuxie Cat Day by kissing a tuxedo cat, sharing photos, or by clicking on our video about tuxie cats.

September 29 is Beckoning Cat Day

Beckoning Cat Day, also known as Maneki-Neko Day, celebrates the iconic Japanese figurines often mistaken for waving cats. In Japanese culture, the raised paw actually represents a beckoning gesture, symbolizing good fortune and welcome.[6]

Maneki-neko statues date back centuries in Japan. One legend tells the possible origin of the waving cats. According to the story, a cat saved a lord by beckoning him away moments before he would have been struck by lightning and killed.

National Geographic offers an in-depth look at the fascinating history behind Maneki-neko statues at [7].

September is Pet Sitter Education Month

September is also Pet Sitter Education Month, established by Pet Sitters International (PSI). The observance highlights the importance of education, professionalism, and standards in pet sitting.

Pet Sitters International (PSI) established the month of September as Pet Sitter Education Month to focus on the education of professional pet sitters.

Are you a pet sitter? Would you like to become one? Check out their website for more information.[8]

To Sum Up, Celebrate September with Cats in Mind.

From happiness and health to awareness and appreciation, these September cat holidays offer fun opportunities to support cats throughout the month.

Which September cat holiday means the most to you? Be sure to share it with your fellow cat lovers and help spread awareness all month long.

REFERENCES

CATalyst Council.. Downloaded August 20, 2026 from https://catalystcouncil.org/
Happy Cat Month. Downloaded August 20, 2026 from https://catalystcouncil.org/september-catalyst-council-celebrates-happy-cat-month/
IVAPM. Is Your Cat in Pain? Downloaded August 20, 2026 from https://ivapm.org/animal-pain-awareness-month/#Animal%2520Pain%2520Awareness%2520Month
Hooper, B. (September, 2022). Downloaded August 19 2026 from https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/09/01/Ginger-Cat-Appreciation-Day/9571662042838/
Catastic. Downloaded September 2023 from https://catastic.pet/cat-breeds/9-interesting-facts-about-white-cats/
Tuxedo Cats: Facts, Details, and Breed Guide. Downloaded August 20, 2023 from https://www.litter-robot.com/blog/7-tuxedo-cat-facts/
Saunders, R. (May, 2021). Downloaded August 20, 2023 from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/the-fascinating-history-behind-the-popular-waving-lucky-cat#:~:text=
PSI. Downloaded August 20, 2023 from https://www.petsit.com/education

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

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Do Cats Love Humans? The Science Behind the Cat-Human Bond

Mewla — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:05:44 +0000

Skeptical about the cat-human bond? Ginger shares her thoughts.

Dear Human,

Ginger Grrrl here.

Have you ever wondered, “Do cats love humans?”

My answer is yes. And good science shows that cats can form strong emotional attachments to humans.

Did you know that cats are the most common pet in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, China, and France? [1] Despite sharing our lives with millions of people, many humans still question whether cats form emotional bonds with their families.

Silly humans!

Luckily, scientists who actually understand cats have now studied cat behavior, cat emotions, and the cat-human bond.

Research by Dr. Kristyn Vitale [2,3] suggests that the bond between cats and humans is just as meaningful as the bonds between dogs and their owners—or even between human infants and their caregivers. Dr. Vitale and her colleagues discovered that most pet cats genuinely enjoy interacting with people. In fact, many of us preferred spending time with a familiar person over eating food or playing with a favorite toy [2,3].

Research Shows Cats Form Strong Attachments

Researchers also studied cat attachment by observing the relationships between cats and their human caregivers. Their findings showed that cats form either secure or insecure attachments, much like children and dogs do.

Later, Dr. Vitale’s team studied cats living in animal shelters. They found that shelter cats changed their behavior based on the amount of attention a person gave them, demonstrating that cats pay close attention to humans and respond emotionally to our interactions [3].

A study by researchers Martens and Turner found that even free-roaming community cats willingly approached, rubbed against, and played with humans who treated them kindly [4]. Together, these studies provide scientific evidence that cats don’t simply tolerate humans—we often seek out companionship and form genuine emotional connections.

Do Cats Only Like Humans for Food?

Some skeptical humans claim that we only pretend to like you because you feed us. Others point to studies suggesting cats aren’t particularly friendly or loyal.

I have a feeling that these researchers don’t understand cat behavior.

Take my housemates, Kwazi and Uli. If an unfamiliar experimenter came into our home to conduct a study, Kwazi and Uli would behave nothing like they do with the humans they know and trust.

They hate strangers.

Some researchers assume cats behave the same around unfamiliar people as they do with their families. If the cats’ humans don’t explain this to the researchers, then those humans are clearly buffoons.

Dr. Vitale’s research tells a different story. Even when she studied shelter cats, she found that they often spent time near humans—even if those humans didn’t feed them [3]. The conclusion? We cats don’t simply stay near humans because of food. Most of us genuinely enjoy being around familiar people who respect us and make sure we feel safe.

How to Bond With a Cat

Dear Human,

Imagine if a fifty-foot giant suddenly picked you up and started carrying you around without asking.

You’d be frightened, too! We cats are a lot smaller than you, so give us a break!

When developing a relationship with a cat, here’s my advice.

Speak softly.
Avoid chasing us or making sudden movements.
Let us decide when we’re ready to approach.
Once we come closer, ask permission to pet us by quietly holding out your hand.

If we trust you, we’ll often rub our faces against your hand. This is called head bunting. We do this to show affection and to mark trusted humans with our scent.

In summary, gentle human, approaching cats with patience and kindness goes a long way. Respecting us is the first step toward building a real and lasting cat-human bond.

Love, Ginger

p.s. Treats help but they don’t buy love!

Written by Ginger Grrrl with a little help from Mewla Young. 30jun2026.

Adopting a new cat? Read tips on how to start out right in Ramona Marek’s new article in Animal Wellness Magazine [5].

References:

1.Bernstein, P.L. (2007). Chapter 3 The Cat:Human Relationship. In I. Rochlitz (ed.), The Welfare of Cats, 47–89. https://gwern.net/doc/cat/psychology/2005-bernstein.pdf

2. Social interaction, food, scent or toys? A formal assessment of domestic pet and shelter cat (Felis silvestris catus) preferences

3. The quality of being sociable: The influence of human attentional state, population, and human familiarity on domestic cat sociability – ScienceDirect

4. Mertens, C., Turner, D.C., 1988. Experimental analysis of human-cat interactions during first encounters. Anthrozoös, 2, 83-97.

5. Marek, R. (June 2026). How to Bond with a New Cat. https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/how-to-bond-with-a-new-cat/

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Our Cat Friend: Bebe, King of the Blues

Mewla — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:16:37 +0000

This cozy cat-rescue story is from cat shelter volunteer, photographer, and award-winning author Ramona Marek in Texas.

Part 1. Before Bebe

I had a 15 year-old cat, Natasha Fatale, a full time Diva dressed as an “anything but plain brown tabby” who was thriving as an only child. My nearly 17 years-old heart and soul cat, Tsarevich Ivan, a Siberian, crossed to grace two years earlier. I went back and forth pondering if I should get another cat or let Natasha live her best life in total adoration. I wasn’t in a hurry to make that decision. While I wasn’t actively looking I had begun to think about getting another cat.

I knew wanted an adult, a longhaired black cat or a blue-eyed cat, and a cat that was different from the other cats I’d had. Cue the adage, ‘Careful what you wish for’.

Part 2. Meeting Bebe

One Saturday in January 2023 I went to my shift at O’Malley Alley Cat Rescue ready to meet our newest kitty: Briar Cove, an 8-month old gray and white tuxedo kitten found as a stray. He was being treated for an upper respiratory infection (URI) and an ear infection.

When I sat down he bounded across the room almost in a single leap and up into my arms, chirping the whole way. I couldn’t help laughing. He sounded like the Jetsons flying car. But what my heart heard was, “I’ve been waiting for you!”

Of course he had adoption applications coming in so I tried to distance myself from him. Could I take him to his new home? Yes. That fell through, then another adopter wanted to meet him. The people-loving kitten ignored her. Ignored her! I took those as signs from Ivan, who also conversed in chirps and trills, that Briar Cove was meant to be mine.

I took him home on a foster trial to see how Natasha would respond to him. I played with a new name, one that reflected his original name, Briar, King of Little Chirps. I kept the B and incorporated King. Then with a play on words of music and cat fancy color, blue, which is a dilute of black, I came up with Bebe, King of the Blues.

Over the course of a few months of slow introduction Natasha started accepting him–they’d eat side by side, we had same room sleep overs and they slept on the couch at the same time. The transition went much better than I expected. Then Natasha’s behavior changed. She became agitated, hissy, and distant. Her fur started coming out by handfuls. I thought it was due to stress.

I returned Bebe to O’Malley. His health plummeted as did Natasha’s. Within two weeks Natasha crossed to grace from cancer, so I went back to get Bebe. His URI raged, he had GI upset and had lost weight down to 6.3 pounds from 7.8 pounds. Back to the vet for meds and supplements.

I fed Bebe kitten food for two years giving his GI tract time to mature. His URI still flares up in times of stress. He will always be a “schnootmeister”. He’s teaching me to overcome that particular Kryptonite.

Part 3. Bebe Today

Today, Bebe reigns as sun puddle sovereign of the garden with equal amounts of chaos and whimsy. He patrols his domain from his windows alerting when birds, squirrels and lizards irreverently cross the wilds of the backyard. His mischievous curiosity keeps both of us busy; he’s an intrepid explorer of cabinet drawers. Bebe believes every person who comes to the door–family, friend or service tech– is there to see him. His nicknames include Bébé le Strange, Bebe Wrexham and Little Boy.

Bebe’s an adult now, though he may never “adult”. He still zooms through the house making flying car sounds. He isn’t a cuddly lap cat but he is always nearby. He’s learning to snuggle. My heart melts when he sleeps with the tip of his tongue peeking out between his lips. Forever whimsical, Bebe, King of the Blues has brought laughter and love back into my home and heart.

Keep up with Bebe and Ramona at:

Bebe’s Too Cute Tuesday: https://www.facebook.com/RamonaMarek.Writer/

www.ramona-marek.com

Go to Community Cat Friends

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What Cat Holidays are in August? Cat Awareness Days

Mewla — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 04:32:08 +0000

Celebrate Adoption, Awareness, and Cat Love This Month!

August is packed with important cat holidays and awareness days focused on adoption, shelter support, feline safety, and celebrating cats of all kinds—including those too often overlooked. Whether you’re advocating for shelter cats, checking your cat’s microchip, or simply enjoying a lazy day with your cats, these August cat holidays offer plenty of ways to honor and enjoy our feline companions.

What cat holidays are in August?

In August, we celebrate Clear the Shelters Month, International Cat Day (August 8), National Lazy Day (August 10), National Check the Chip Day (August 15), Black Cat Appreciation Day (August 17), and International Homeless Animals Day (on the third Saturday of the month).

August Is Clear the Shelters Month

In August, many extra cats are waiting in shelters for furever homes. This means overcrowded shelters, making August a critical time for adoption. So let’s help cats get adopted this month!

If you’ve been thinking about adopting, this is the perfect month to take the leap—and give a deserving cat a second chance. Good news is that Ginger can help you find your perfect match at Find the Right Cat for You.

For more information about Clear the Shelters Month, see: https://www.cleartheshelters.com/

August 8 is National Cat Day in Canada

The Canadian National Cat Day holiday was created to help Canada’s many homeless cats find a family of their own. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating cats while supporting rescue organizations and shelters.

Learn about all the national cat days, including when your country celebrates, at National Cat Day Celebrations.

August 8 is International Cat Day

International Cat Day is celebrated globally on August 8 to promote awareness of cats’ needs and how humans can protect and care for them. The holiday was originally created by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), an organization dedicated to protecting animals worldwide (TrailTimes.com).

Curious about cats around the world? Kwazi, Uli, and Ginger share about how many cats are in different countries at How Many Cats Are in the World?

August 10 is National Lazy Day

Kwazi, Uli, and Ginger demonstrate what to do on National Lazy Day.

National Lazy Day is a day when we humans can join our feline friends and fully embrace rest and relaxation. This lighthearted holiday encourages slowing down, recharging, and enjoying a low-key day—preferably with a cat curled up nearby.

Promoted through the Social Paws campaign and supported by animal welfare organizations, National Lazy Day reminds us that rest is essential for both humans and pets. See more at daysoftheyear.com

August 15 is National Check the Chip Day

Every year, approximately 10 million pets are lost in the United States. Moreover, cats without microchips are rarely reunited with their families. Sadly, studies show that around 98% of lost cats without microchips are never found.

National Check the Chip Day was created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to raise awareness about microchipping and keeping registration information up to date.

How to participate:

If your cat is not microchipped, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian
If your cat is microchipped, double check that your contact information is current in the registry

For more information, go to https://www.avma.org/events/national-check-chip-day

August 17 is National Black Cat Appreciation Day

Black Cat Appreciation Day celebrates black cats while challenging harmful superstitions that have caused some people to fear black cats for centuries.

Records of superstitions about black cats date back to the Medieval period, when black cats were falsely linked to witchcraft and evil. Sadly, these myths persist today. One research project even showed that black cats were adopted more slowly than cats of other colors. (Leper, Kass, & Hart, 2002).

Kwazi demonstrates why black cats are special.

Those who know black cats understand the truth: they are affectionate, playful, and incredibly loving companions.

August 17 is the perfect day to:

Share positive stories about black cats
Support black-cat adoption efforts
Help dispel outdated myths.

Help spread the word; Let’s end ridiculous superstitions about these loving animals

The Third Saturday in August is International Homeless Animals Day.

International Homeless Animals Day brings together animal welfare organizations, rescue groups, veterinarians, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness about homeless pets.

This day emphasizes the importance of:

Spaying and neutering
Adopting instead of buying
Supporting community cat programs

Spaying and neutering are proven ways to reduce overpopulation and prevent unnecessary euthanasia of cats worldwide (International Society for Animal Rights).

For excellent, free booklets and podcasts to help you learn more about saving the lives of cats and kittens via spaying and neutering, check out Alley Cat Rescue and Community Cats Podcast.

Celebrate Cats All Month Long!

Thank you for joining us! Please take time to celebrate some cat holidays in August. And share this page with your cat loving friends so more people can honor and support cats this month.

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

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/.

RESOURCES ABOUT SPAYING/NEUTERING:

AllyCat Rescue @ https://www.saveacat.org/ Retrieved July 16, 2023.

Community Cats Podcasts @ www.communitycatspodcast.com Retrieved July 16, 2023.

The post What Cat Holidays are in August? Cat Awareness Days appeared first on MewlaYoung.com.

Cat Artist Interview: Beverly Garland of “I Love to Draw Cats”

Mewla — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:13 +0000

Wow, if you’d like to see what kind of magic can come from pink, black, white, and other colored pencils, you have to watch the “I Love to Draw Cats” YouTube channel. Each video follows artist Beverly Garland as, starting with a blank page, she sketches a beautiful cat from a photo. And as she draws, she tells the cat’s story.

Beverly lives a fascinating life, often on the road with her husband in their converted school bus. How wonderful to have an artist devote her talent to bringing the beauty of cats alive on a page. Let’s find out more.

Mewla: Beverly Garland, welcome to our website! Tell us, what inspired you to begin drawing cats?

Beverly: The question could almost be, what inspired me to start drawing, period. I struggled with depression and a series of personal setbacks in my late 30s and 40s, and stopped making art for about a decade, even though it had been my livelihood. My 5 cats were a big part of my life, though. I was very active with trap-neuter-return/cat rescue and went to grad school to study big cat conservation. I wound up writing a thesis about feral cats, instead.

Later, I spent a few years as a full-time in-home caretaker for my grandmother, who was disabled by a stroke, so returning to art was a good form of self-care. It was intimidating to get back into it knowing that my skills would have rusted a lot.

One day, I tore out a page from a vintage chemistry handbook, intending to do some mixed media art. With my pen in hand, I felt waves of resistance and discouragement, so I gave myself permission internally to do something that I might judge as poor quality for me. What came out was a quirky cartoon-style black cat. It was charmingly imperfect. I posted it to social media and one of my friends immediately asked to buy it. That began a little series of “Chemistry Cat” drawings and commissions, including a couple of t-shirt designs.

Mewla: I’m very impressed, Beverly. It’s not easy to overcome depression and return to your art. And now you make so many people happy by creating beautiful portraits of their cats. Such a wonderful story!

I know that my kitties have helped me and many of our cat community members deal with depression and/or physical illness. I’m curious, what inspired you to begin drawing cat portraits?

Beverly: That’s its own story! In 2014, I was traumatized by the tragic death of an adorable cat named Rufus while I was visiting his guardians, who were my dear friends. Another friend helped coach me through an exercise to release the trauma of the event. At the end of that exercise, I came to a realization that honoring the love between humans and animals needed to be an important part of my life.

Art was the most accessible way I knew how to do that. That evolved into color-pencil portraiture in 2018, which was the perfect sort of business model and art medium to do in a compact space while living full-time on the road in a converted school bus.

Mewla: Your art truly is a wonderful way to honor the relationship between people and animals. Did you always plan to be an artist, or when did you begin drawing professionally?

Beverly: Everyone told me I was going to be an artist growing up, and I was often asked to create posters for school or church events from the time I was twelve. While I did one year of fine art school in college, I switched majors for fear I wouldn’t be able to make a living at it.

Despite no art degree, I managed to carve out a living as a commercial artist. I first got paid to make art at my work-study job making posters and flyers for campus events my freshman year of college. Right after college, I painted props and backdrops for a special event company. Then I got an internship at a computer game company doing 3d computer art and animation, which continued for many years until I got a repetitive stress injury and had to switch to more managerial positions.

Mewla: I’m glad you were able to return to drawing and use your talent in a way that works for your body and that brings joy to so many cat guardians. Cats are not easy to draw!

Is there a particular part of a cat that you feel is most important to capture accurately to portray his or her character?

Beverly: Definitely the eyes and overall face. That’s where I begin each portrait. It’s the most recognizable part for many pet guardians, and I like to capture it early on so I can relax and know the rest of the portrait will be fine.

Mewla: Did someone or something inspire you to tell each cat’s story as you draw?

Beverly: It was 100% my husband’s idea. He’s been my business advisor through this whole process. He saw that I was already making videos to record the drawing process, and knew it would be a meaningful touch to add to the story. It has made the portraits even more special for me as well as for my customers.

Mewla: Tell us more about your fur babies.

Beverly: We have four youngish cats who live on board the bus with us. We also carry two little wooden boxes of cat cremains. One is for my orange cat, Sidney (who died in 2017) never got to live with us on the bus, but would have loved it. The other is for my calico girl, Galactica, who was our first “bus cat.” Galactica is also the “model” for my portrait business logo.

Mewla: The portrait business logo is beautiful, and I had wondered who was the model. Galactica will live on forever.

If a reader would like for you to draw their cat or cats, do you have advice about what types of photos they should take of them?

Beverly: The ideal photos have good detail and lighting. However, if low-resolution photos are all someone has, I can work around that, especially if it’s for a dearly departed kitty and there just aren’t any more photos. At least one should show the overall pose you’d like, and that could be sitting, standing, or lying down. I also need one or two photos of the face that show off the markings and the eye color. Really, the more photos I have to draw from, the better, in case there’s no one perfect photo and I need to use details from several. I also have customers send me candid photos so I can include those in the video as I’m narrating the cat’s life story.

Also, potential customers should know that since I can only work on portraits for a few hours a week, there is a 2-3 year waiting list.

Mewla: Thank you very much for telling us about your amazing work, Beverly — Please share your website addresses with us!

Beverly: You’re so welcome! It is an honor to share my story with you. My YouTube channel is really the best place to see my most current portraits and videos, but I also have a website at ilovetodrawcats.com that explains how the commission process works.

Thank you so much, Mewla!

My website is: ilovetodrawcats.com

My Youtube channel URL is: https://www.youtube.com/@ILoveToDrawCats

Click the video below to see Beverly in action. Would you like to learn about more Beverly’s cats? Then click Here

Please leave comments below, and watch Beverly drawing here:

Share your comments or questions below.

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What Cat Holidays are in July?

Mewla — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 01:43:24 +0000

by Mewla Young

Celebrate Cat Safety and Health This July!

July Cat Days focus on one of the most important themes in cat guardianship: keeping cats safe, healthy, and home where they belong. From preventing lost pets to learning about feline diseases and celebrating high-quality veterinary care, these July cat holidays remind us how much our cats rely on us.

Here are some important ways to honor and celebrate our feline friends in July.

What cat holidays are celebrated in July?

July cat holidays include National Lost Pet Prevention Month, ID Your Pet Day on July 1, Feline Leukemia Day on July 16, and AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day on July 22.

July Is National Lost Pet Prevention Month

Show your cat how much you love her by taking steps to prevent her from becoming lost. National Lost Pet Prevention Month encourages cat parents to take proactive steps to keep their cats safe and prevent heartbreaking separations.

Cats can slip out doors, panic during fireworks, or become disoriented if they escape unfamiliar territory. Luckily, many losses are preventable with simple precautions.

Helpful prevention steps include:

Supervising cats so that they are safe outdoors
Using collars with ID tags
Microchipping and registering your cat
Securing doors, windows, and screens

For ideas about preventing loss of your cat, see How to Find my Lost Cat and check out suggestions from Alley Cat Rescue [1].

July 1 is ID Your Pet Day

ID Your Pet Day on July 1 highlights one of the easiest and most effective ways for you to find your cat if they ever get lost: proper identification.

Don’t forget my tag!

According to CatTipper [2], visible ID—such as collars with tags—can make all the difference if your cat is found by a neighbor or good Samaritan. When you move or take your cat to the vet, indoor cats should wear ID, as cats often escape when being transported outdoors.

For best protection:

Use a breakaway collar with an ID tag
Include a phone number that’s always current
Pair visible ID with a registered microchip

Should your pet get lost, a pet ID is the best way to ensure you get him back.

July 16 is Feline Leukemia Day

Feline Leukemia Day raises awareness about Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)—a serious but preventable disease that affects cats’ immune systems.

FeLV is most commonly spread through close contact such as when cats groom each other, share food bowls, or bite one another. Learning about testing, vaccination, and management of FeLV will help you protect your cats—especially kittens and outdoor or community cats.

Take time today to:

Learn FeLV symptoms and transmission
Discuss testing and vaccination with your veterinarian
Support FeLV-positive cats through education and advocacy

Learn more about the Feline Leukemia Virus now at [3]

July 22 is AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day or AAHA Day

AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day celebrates veterinary hospitals that meet the rigorous standards set by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

AAHA accreditation goes beyond basic licensing and reflects excellence in:

Pet patient care and safety protocols
Medical equipment and technology
Veterinary knowledge and continuing education
Pain management and anesthesia standards

Choosing an AAHA-accredited hospital helps ensure your cat receives the highest level of care. Learn more at [5] https://www.aaha.org

Celebrate July Cat Holidays With Your Cat!

Our cats rely on us to keep them safe. Take time in July to ensure that you’re doing what you can to protect your furball(s). Also, be sure to share this page with your cat-loving friends, so they can keep their cats safe, too.

Thank you for joining us!

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

Reference

[1] https://www.alleycat.org/7-ways-to-prevent-lost-cats/

[2] https://www.cattipper.com/news/2016/id-your-pet-day-is-july-1st.html

[3] https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/facts-about-feline-leukemia-virus

[4] https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/

[5] https://www.aaha.org

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