Happy International Cat Day!—National Cat Day traditions worldwide
How countries celebrate National Cat Day?
Here are glimpses of National Cat Day traditions worldwide.
🎂 Cat Day Events That Promote Adoption in USA
In the United States, National Cat Day takes place on October 29th and was created by Pet Lifestyle And You to promote the adoption of cats. With a quarter of the population living with cats, it’s no surprise that cat enthusiasts in the country crave more than just two (international and nationwide) annual cat days. Fortunately, there is CatCon — cat-themed conventions in California — that features a variety of cat-themed activities, including workshops with celebrities and feline experts, meet-and-greet sessions with famous cats, and a wide range of cat-themed merchandise available for purchase. This event is a must-attend for cat people!
🍵 How Japan Celebrates Cat Day on February 22
In Japan, February 22nd is the celebration of National Cat Day. Back in 1987, the Japan Pet Food Association proposed the idea to honor cats. Interestingly, the number two is pronounced “ni” in Japanese, which closely resembles the sound of a meow or “nyan”.
If you visit Japan during this time, you will see cat-themed merchandise everywhere, from chocolate to cat-motif apparel, and of course, various gifts for feline friends.
🍎 Apple Cats Day and Feline AIDS Awareness
What’s more, Neco Republic, the rescue cat cafe across Japan, launched Apple Cats Day on December 12th. This special day was inspired by AIDS red day. It aims to increase awareness about feline AIDS, which is caused by the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and reduce the stigma surrounding it.
While there is currently no cure for FIV, cats with the virus can still lead a fulfilling life with our assistance. ❤️
🐈⬛Why Italy Chose February 17 for Cat Day
In Italy, February 17th is National Cat Day, a day dedicated to our feline friends. This day was introduced by a cat magazine editor 25 years ago. The aim was to help counteract the negative stereotypes associated with Black Cat Day. Since then, this day has become a cherished occasion (or a brilliant excuse) for cat lovers to bask in cat-themed treats, visit cat cafes, and offer their support to shelter cats. It is important to note that judging a cat based on their appearance is utterly preposterous and should never be encouraged.
🐾 Final Thought
Throughout the course of this week, I learned more about the importance of our perspectives on cats in order to promote their welfare. As a society, we are fond of the idea of cats — fluffy, cuddly, and friendly companions. But cats are pretty much cats. And each one is wonderfully different. We should learn and respect their individual differences and needs. Similarly, it is unfair to abandon cats with disabilities; instead, we can change their living environment to accommodate their needs, rather than expecting them to conform to our expectations. Indeed, the way we perceive cats with diverse (psychological, physical, and social) characteristics could have a more significant impact on their welfare than financial resources. By promoting cat welfare through education, we can create a world with more content and happy cats.
Happy #InternationalCatDay!