What it is and where it came from
International Cat Day was created by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2002 as an annual opportunity to raise awareness of cat welfare and promote adoption. The date — 8 August — was chosen without strong rationale but has become well established through years of use.
The IFAW is a major global animal welfare organisation founded in 1969, working in more than 40 countries. It is not the only organisation that uses the day — numerous shelters, charities, and campaigns attach events and campaigns to 8 August independently.
How to take part
The most meaningful ways to observe International Cat Day are direct actions rather than social media posts:
Adopt from a shelter
Many shelters run discounted or waived adoption fees around 8 August. Check local rescues in the week beforehand. See our guide on finding events near you.
Donate to a local rescue
Small local rescues often operate on very tight budgets. A direct donation — however small — goes further than a large national charity because overheads are lower.
Volunteer
Shelters need hands for socialising cats, cleaning, transport, and admin. Many take on new volunteers in August ahead of the post-summer rehoming surge.
Share reliable information
If you share content about cats online, link to verified sources — not myths. Common misconceptions about black cats, indoor vs outdoor life, and feeding can cause real harm.
Related awareness days
International Cat Day sits alongside a number of other annual cat awareness dates. The full calendar is on the cat year page. Key dates:
- World Spay Day — last Tuesday of February: awareness of the benefits of neutering
- Adopt a Shelter Cat Month — June: month-long adoption push in the US
- Black Cat Appreciation Day — 17 August: combating superstition and promoting adoption of black cats
- Global Cat Day — 16 October: Alley Cat Allies' focus on community cat welfare
- National Cat Day — 29 October (US): adoption-focused awareness day
Adopting? Before attending any adoption event, read our guide on three things to know before you go — preparing your home and having a vet booked in advance makes the process smoother for you and less stressful for the cat.