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WedOct 16

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Cat Pet

Global Cat Day – October 16, 2024

U.S.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Observe

What is Global Cat Day

Global Cat Day, which takes place October 16, reminds us that educating, engaging, and empowering people to defend and protect cats is the right thing to do. They say dogs are man’s best friend. Perhaps, but it’s very likely cats are tied for first place in the informal and unscientific “Best Friend” category.

Global Cat Day Related Holidays

National Siamese Cat Day

For cat lovers, April 6 is the ‘purrfect’ day. It’s National Siamese Cat Day. This is the day we celebrate these most elegant cats. Siamese cats, also known as “Meezers,” are one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. We love these gorgeous creatures, and we know you do, too.

Respect Your Cat Day

Your kitty pal has been there when you were happy — your kitty pal has been there when you were sad. Your kitty has, and always will, be there for you. So, this March 28, acknowledge all the hard work your cat puts into being your loyal companion.

National Cat Health Month

We’re giving cats a full 30 days of glory to get their health checked during February — Cat Health Month! Let’s make sure your feline friends have all the care they need.

History of Global Cat Day

Global Cat Day confirms one thing — we have loved our cats since the beginning of time — or close to it. In fact, the Ancient Egyptians were the first civilization to harness the glory of the feline. Nearly 4,000 years ago, they domesticated our four-legged friends by keeping them near food stores. (This helped control vermin and other pests.) Cats quickly earned a reputation as great hunters, and later, Egyptians worshipped them as gods. Nothing much has changed since the old days.

An advocacy group known as Alley Cat Allies, along with millions of supporters, will observe Global Cat Day with a commitment to save cats from being killed.

“The Global Cat Day Pledge includes the fundamental principle that all cats have the right to live their lives, and it guides everything we do to protect cats,” says Allies founder and president Becky Robinson. “We stand for humane, non-lethal programs for cats, and those who join us can take action to stop cats from being killed.”

Robinson’s asking everyone who values the lives of cats to sign the Alley Cat Allies’ Global Cat Day Pledge online.

The organization, which promotes humane treatment of all cats, reports that millions of cats and kittens are in life-threatening danger. That’s because felines are killed more than any other animal in shelters across the nation.

Global Cat Day demands that community leaders abolish policies that result in the killing of cats; equip communities with lifesaving, humane policies like Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR); and change any policies that threaten cats’ health and safety.

TNR is the mainstream approach in which cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped and returned to the outdoor homes where they live and thrive. As sound public policy, TNR reduces shelter intake, “euthanasia” and calls to animal services, which saves taxpayer dollars.

Global Cat Day timeline

7500 BC

Cats and humans unite

Evidence of the close relationship between cats and humans goes back about 9,500 years. A Neolithic grave excavated in Cyprus contains the skeletons of both a human and a cat.

1950s

Cats come indoors

Cats roam U.S. neighborhoods freely — before the invention of and marketing of clay litter. However it wasn’t until the 1960s that litter boxes really caught on. After that, we grew to love them as indoor pets, but their outdoor survival skills still remain.

1990

The original cat ladies

Becky Robinson and a friend discover an alley with 56 feral cats in the Washington, DC neighborhood of Adams Morgan. With the help of the cats’ caregivers, they humanely trapped the cats, had them neutered, and returned them to their outdoor homes. Later, out of concern for cats routinely killed by animal control agencies and shelters, Robinson begins Alley Cat Allies.

2001

The world has its first Feral Cat Day

The first Feral Cat Day (now known as Global Cat Day) got underway. Organized by Alley Cat Allies, the goal was to strengthen support for humane policies to protect cats worldwide.

2015

Cats go viral

The number of cat videos on YouTube tops 2 million — with the average views hovering around 12,000. — higher than any other category of YouTube content. Cats make up 16% of views in YouTube's "Pets & Animals" category, compared to dogs' 23%

2016

Only the name changes

Alley Cat Allies rebranded Feral Cat Day as Global Cat Day. This change came about, according to Alley Cat Allies, because "it was time for our annual event to reflect what’s been true all along: We inspire and share information with cat advocates around the world."

Global Cat Day FAQs

Is there an International Cat Day?

Yes. International Cat Day falls on August 8. National Today has over a dozen cat holidays on its holiday calendar.

Is today National Black Cat Day?

National Black Cat Day falls on October 27! It’s a day to celebrate black cats because they need a little positive PR. Did you know some people avoid black cats due to a fear that they don’t photograph well? So sad — but true.

Is today National Hug Your Cat Day?

No — but you never need a reason, now do you? National Hug Your Cat Day falls on June 4, although cats have been known to accept hugs on virtually any day.

How to Observe Global Cat Day

Have your cat spayed or neutered
When it comes to cat advocacy Bob Barker was right, one of the best things we can do is to spay or neuter our cats and to encourage others to do the same. Not only does this reduce the number of so-called "nuisance" cats, it can also protect them from certain diseases and prevent them from wandering off to find a mate.
Spread the news
Alley Cat Allies recommends that supporters sign their pledge and then share it with friends, family, and social media followers. That type of word-of-mouth advocacy is likely to reach the world's legislators, who can take positive action to protect cats.
Organize your own event
In honor of Global Cat Day, consider organizing your own event and then registering that event with Alley Cat Allies. You can host workshops, cat food drives, or any number of things to help the cause.

5 More Reasons We Can't Stop Purring About Our Cats

Egyptians loved their cats
The ancient Egyptians were so enamored of cats that they often worshipped them in life and mummified them in death — including dressing them in precious jewels.
Kitty on board
Cats were apparently aboard Christopher Columbus' ships as he set sail for the Americas.
That's a lot of cats
The worldwide cat population exceeds 500 million.
Cats can drink saltwater
Cat kidneys are able to filter out salt from water and use the desalinated water for hydration.
More popular than man's best friend
In North America, cats are the most popular pet. According to some estimates, there are 73 million cats in that region, compared to 63 million dogs.

Why Global Cat Day is Important

Cats are our best friends, too
Yeah, yeah — we know all about the old saying. But in reality, cats are just as trusting, loving and dependent on their humans as any good dog can be. Just ask anybody who has a cat.
Information is power
Global Cat Day can remind us that local laws and ordinances have profound impacts on how the local cat population is treated. Once people are armed with information on the often sad plight of the world's kitties, they may be more inclined to help out — and to speak out.
There's power in numbers
Alley Cat Allies would like people from around the world to take a simple vow — "to speak up for the cats in their communities and show kindness for all of catkind." The more people who take that pledge, the more protected the world's cats will be.