National Cat Day 2026 — 29 October

Date 29 October 2026

Founded 2005, by Colleen Paige (US animal welfare advocate)

UK organisations Cats Protection, RSPCA, local rescues

Focus Shelter adoption, rescue fundraising, celebrating owned cats

The UK shelter landscape

UK cat rehoming centres take in hundreds of thousands of cats each year. Cats Protection alone rehomes over 140,000 cats annually through its national network of branches and adoption centres. Despite this, adult cats — particularly black cats and cats aged over 5 — consistently wait longer for homes than kittens.

National Cat Day provides a focused annual opportunity to share adoptable cats, raise donations for rescue operations, and shift cultural norms around adoption versus purchasing. Rescues report a measurable increase in enquiries and donations during the week surrounding the date.

How to mark the day

Adopt

Contact your nearest Cats Protection branch or RSPCA adoption centre about cats available now. Read our first week home guide to prepare.

Donate

A direct donation to your local rescue funds food, veterinary care, and staffing. Many rescues also run wish lists for specific items — bedding, food pouches, litter.

Foster

Short-term fostering frees up rescue space and gives shelter cats a home environment during recovery or between placements. Most rescues cover all veterinary costs for foster cats.

Share adoptable cats from your local rescue on social media. A single share can reach the right person. Follow your nearest rescue for current cats available.

If you are considering adoption

Before adopting, spend time with the cat at the rescue if possible — most reputable rescues facilitate this. Ask the rescue about the cat's personality, history with children and other pets, and any medical or behavioural needs. Prepare a quiet base room before the cat arrives; the transition period is less stressful when the cat can settle in at its own pace. Our guide to introducing a new cat to a resident cat covers the scent-swapping protocol essential for multi-cat households, and our cat-proofing checklist covers what to secure before the cat arrives.

Black cats. Black cats statistically wait the longest for adoption — an association attributed to superstition, lower photogenic appeal on adoption websites, and a general preference for distinctive coat patterns. If you are open to any cat, give a black cat serious consideration. Their personality is entirely unrelated to coat colour.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between National Cat Day and International Cat Day?

National Cat Day (29 October) was founded in the United States in 2005 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige and focuses specifically on shelter adoption and rescue. International Cat Day (8 August) is organised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and has a broader global remit including feral and free-roaming cat welfare. Both are widely observed in the UK on social media, though neither has a formal UK organiser equivalent to Cats Protection's own events.

How can I support shelter cats on National Cat Day?

Donate to Cats Protection or your local rescue — most run wish-list campaigns where small donations fund specific items (food pouches, bedding, litter). Share adoptable cats from your local centre on social media. If you are considering adding a cat to your household, National Cat Day is a good prompt to contact your nearest rescue. Our first week home guide and cat introduction guide are useful preparation.

Is it better to adopt a kitten or an adult cat?

Adult cats are significantly underrepresented in adoption enquiries relative to kittens. Adult cats have a known, stable temperament — you can assess whether a cat is social, independent, active, or calm before bringing it home. Kittens require considerably more time investment during the critical socialisation window. For households with children, older residents, or first-time cat owners, an adult cat from a rescue that has assessed the cat's personality is often the better match. See our socialising a kitten guide if you do choose a young kitten.

How do I prepare my home before adopting a cat?

Before a cat arrives: designate a quiet "base room" with food, water, litter, hiding spots, and bedding. Remove toxic plants (see our foods and toxins guide and our cat-proofing checklist). Book a vet appointment for within 72 hours of arrival. Prepare a carrier lined with a blanket for the journey. The shelter or rescue will also provide specific guidance for the individual cat.