Tuesday, October 29 is National Cat Day. Begun in 2005 by Colleen Page, an animal welfare advocate and pet lifestyle expert, it is a day to raise awareness about cats, cat health and cat needs. Over 7 million stray animals are housed in shelters every year. Close to 3 million are euthanized, many for no reason except that they haven’t been adopted.
One of the biggest awareness issues for National Cat Day is to raise awareness about rescue animals waiting to be adopted. In many places, adult cats are available for free or a very low fee. Advantages of adopting a shelter cat include:
• The cat has been examined by a veterinarian and received any needed medical care.
• The cat has been spayed or neutered.
• The cat has been tested for any common cat diseases such as feline aids or feline leukemia.
• The cat has received all necessary inoculations.
• The cat has been vetted by staff members who know its personality, like, dislikes, etc.
• The cat has been socialized with people and other cats (and maybe dogs), so they will have an easy fit into a multi-animal home.
• You will probably have many cats to choose from. Do you want a young, frisky cat to play with, or a peaceful dowager to cuddle on your lap?
• You can pick a cat of a specific breed, color, age, size, coat type, etc. to meet your lifestyle requirements.
• Only healthy cats are available for adoption unless you are willing to adopt a special needs cat.
• You have the opportunity to find ways to support the shelter. You may decide to regularly donate food, cleaning supplies, litter, paper goods, etc. Shelters always need donations in kind.
• You may find a volunteer niche at the shelter. Rescue groups always need help, whether it is for cat care, office work, fundraising or more.
• You will find a loving companion that will enrich your life.
National Cat Day is a great time to find out about cat rescue programs in your area. Are there TNR (trap, neuter, return) groups you can help with? Spay/neuter is the best way to help control the stray cat population. If you want to volunteer, you can find out how to be trained, or perhaps donate supplies, or become a transporter, rescuer, or other volunteer in other ways.
National Cat Day is a great way to pamper your own cat. Splurge on a professional grooming, nail trim or special toy. Does kitty need a new scratcher, bedding, litter box? Pledge to spend some extra time pampering your kitty every day by brushing, playing some additional time, or snuggle time.
National Cat Day is a great reminder to schedule kitty’s annual vet visit. An annual vet visit will give you the most up to date information about your cat’s health. Since people are with their pets every day, it can be difficult to spot gradual health changes. The checkup allow the vet to check the previous information on file, compare the cat from then to now, check for age appropriate health markers, talk to you about any concerns, and check kitty’s dental health (one of the most needed checks). If more cat services are needed, you can schedule those right away.
National Cat Day is the time to find out about cat food ingredients. Are you feeding kitty the best food for his breed, age, weight, etc? Just what is in the food he eats? Do you need to consider a diet change to all natural, indoor food, mature cat food, reduced calorie food?
National Cat Day is the purrfect time to connect with other cat people. "Like" National Cat Day's Facebook page Share your cat wisdom.
National Cat Day is the time to spread the purry love. Perhaps you have an older neighbor who needs some cat care help. Volunteer to help out once or twice a week with cat box duties, clean up, transportation to the store for supplies, or even just carrying heavy food and litter containers and bags into the house. The help will be greatly appreciated.
National Cat Day is a time to find out about the work of national or international animal advocacy organizations, such as the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States. Knowledge is power. Does your state have an annual Animal Advocacy Day? If not, contact your local legislators and consider starting one.
We Foster Our Furballs! You Should Too!
