International Cat Day

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Happy International Cat Day! This feline festival began on August 8th, 2002 thanks to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Since then, animal organizations around the world have marked the holiday with adoption drives and how-to's on cat care.


Dogs may be man’s best friend, but cats are just as close to the hearts of American families. According to the American Veterinary Association, there are over 60 million pet cats in the U. S. 26% of American households have a cat, with an average of 1.78 cats per household. 2020’s top three cat names were Tom, Tigger, and Bella.


How can you celebrate International Cat Day? You could start by taking your cat to the vet, especially if it’s been more than six months since their last appointment. It might not be your cat’s favorite way to observe their special day, but it’s an important to keep them happy and healthy. If your cat holds a grudge after their vet visit, make it up to them with a healthy meal. This is a great time to look at ingredients in your cat's food.


Finally, spend some quality time with your cat. We think of cats as solitary creatures, but they’re very social and love attention as much as any pet. Check out this list of books for more information about caring for your cat. Here at the Alachua County Library District, we’re celebrating this International Cat Day by sharing our feline friends with the world. After all, cats and books are a perfect pairing as old as the printed word. Check out the gallery below to meet some of our cat companions. We hope you love them as much as we do!

 

A grey tabby cat laying on a basket.
Bitty can be seen here guarding the laundry. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.
A black and white cat laying on a mantel next to a small Christmas tree.
Flower is a festive cat who isn’t afraid to celebrate Christmas in July.
A longhaired grey and white cat staring ahead.
Gizmo is not impressed. Not at all. You should feel ashamed.
A tabby cat laying on a bed.
When Gomez is in a pensive mood, you can find him snuggled up in bed contemplating life’s big questions.
A sleeping grey and white cat.
You might think this is candid shot of Kiki catching a cat nap. You’d be wrong. Kiki is a master of the casual selfie.
An orange tabby cat with its tongue poking out of its mouth.
Don’t be offended if Leo greets you with a stuck-out tongue. Leo’s just goofin’ around.
A brown tabby cat with large eyes staring at the camera.
Despite the Norse name, Loki appears to be channeling the Egyptian Sphinx.
A large black and white cat sitting in a small basket.
Luka, like most cats, can’t resist a good basket.
A black and white cat holding it's feet to it's face.
Mob knows that sometimes you need to check on your toes. Yup, still there.
A brown tabby cat raising one eyebrow.
Morgana is skeptical. Of what, you may ask? Only she knows.
A longhaired, brown and white cat sprawled on a bed.
It might look like Nala just woke up this way, but this cat puts in a lot of effort to look so “bedhead chic.”
A black and white cat with a lizard in it's mouth.
Ra is a mighty hunter. If you’re lucky, Ra might share some of the bounty. Maybe.
A longhaired orange tabby with large eyes.
Look deep into Rani’s eyes. You are getting sleepy, very sleepy…
A Siamese cat sitting on a table in front of an elaborate board game.
It’s game night, and Shiro is the DM. Shiro will knock all the game pieces off the table. Shiro’s house, Shiro’s rules.
A longhaired cat laying on it's back.
Simba’s fuzzy belly is tempting, no doubt, but don’t be fooled. Petting that tummy can only end in pain.
A black cat with large eyes sitting on a couch.
Vader wants you to join the dark side.
A black and white cat laying on the floor with it's legs splayed out.
Zag looks silly but is actually super serious. For real, guys.
By Jesse on August 3, 2023