World Cat Day
What day is it?
Every year on August 8, all cat lovers have the opportunity to celebrate the holiday of their pets, which is called World Cat Day. The holiday was created to draw attention to the importance of a cat in a person’s life, as well as to raise the issue of domestic animals that have lost their homes for one reason or another.
How did the idea to celebrate World Cat Day come about?
World Cat Day was introduced by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The first celebration took place in 2002. On this day, everyone can join in the celebration of the day dedicated to the most popular pet on the planet.
Cats were domesticated almost 4000 years ago. Although they were once considered true hunters for their remarkable agility, today they are valued for their sociability and loving demeanor. Our pets are the smallest representatives of the feline family. In many of their habits, they resemble their predatory relatives – tigers, lions, leopards. Like them, they lead an active life at night and love to purr.
Today, cats are considered the most popular pets in many countries of the world. Today, there are more than 500 million domestic cats in the world. Numerous studies have shown that having a cat in the home improves mental health, relieves stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was decided to celebrate the International Day every year.
The problem of black cats
In the United States of America, in January 2018, it was found that black cats are not as popular among pet owners. And if earlier it was associated with their alleged sorcerous properties, they say that if a black cat crosses the road, expect trouble, but today the reason is that they do not look good on the owners’ selfies.
This is a very sad reason, because many cats become homeless simply because they do not meet the requirements of the owners of social media accounts – those whom they pleased with their presence.
US shelters also confirm that more black and black and white cats are under their care.
Interesting facts about cats
- America has the largest number of cats, with a total of 74.1 million.
- The most popular place for domestic cats is the southeastern United States, where 890,000 households have a cat.
- Cats sleep two-thirds, which is almost 70% of their lives, usually spending 13-16 hours a day asleep.
- Cats use their whiskers as sensors to decide how wide a space is – and whether or not they can get through it.
- Cats’ heartbeats are two to three times faster than human heartbeats.
- Cats enjoy playing, and this is very important for improving their motor skills, encouraging social behavior and providing brain exercise.
- Cats can jump six times their body length.
- They hear higher sound frequencies than humans and even dogs.
- Cats’ muscles are powerful, tough, easily adjustable, thanks to which they have fast reflexes that allow them to move nimbly.
- Cats communicate using visual cues, including scratching.
- Cats have sharp vision and can see well at night.
How to celebrate World Cat Day?
The fact that apart from World Cat Day, every country has its own national holiday also proves that cats are pets.
- American Cat Day falls on October 29. It was introduced by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Pets. Americans are very fond of cats, they like to dress them up in nice clothes and take interesting photos.
- Cats also have their day of Japan. In the land of the rising sun, pets and their owners are welcomed on February 22, i.e. February 22. This is very interesting, because Japanese cats say “nan”, and the number “two” sounds the same. That’s why we have three deuces. In Tokyo, the day of cats is celebrated on a special scale, huge festivals are held with the participation of these animals. Japan Cat Day was introduced in 1987 by a pet food company. Also in Japan, a real temple was built, dedicated to the seven cats that helped the Japanese soldiers.
- National Cat Day of Poland is celebrated on February 17, the most important event of the day is the ball game with woolen threads, after which all participants must be wrapped in colorful threads.
- Italians love black cats, that’s why there is a black cat holiday here. It is known that during the Middle Ages, the Inquisition exterminated black cats as devil’s helpers. Today in Italy they are trying to draw attention to the importance of all cats, including black ones.
- Interesting festivals and parades in honor of cats are held in Belgian in the city of Ypres, where Cat Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May every 3 years.
- In addition to loud celebrations dedicated to these pets, the authorities of some countries are particularly concerned about their welfare. So, Austrian authorities honors the cats who guard food warehouses and pays them a pension in the form of cat treats.
- IN Germany a huge museum with interesting exhibits dedicated to the life and habits of cats has been created.
- IN China there are laws aimed at protecting these pets.
Postcards for World Cat Day
👉 Section Postcards and greetings ➕ Postcards in Viber ➕ Postcards in Telegram
When will we celebrate World Cat Day??
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | August 8 | Friday |
| 2022 | August 8 | Saturday |
| 2023 | August 8 | Sunday |
| 2024 | August 8 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | August 8 | Wednesday |
