Nate can't really see the point of this day because every day is cat day as far as he is concerned. But he will never quibble with a feline celebration and, since he came from a shelter himself, he's agreed to help me share information on cat rescue and adoption today, as long as he doesn't have to get up from the couch.
According to the National Cat Day website, an estimated four million cats enter shelters in the United States every year. Unfortunately, between one and two million of these cats will end up euthanized. Statistics show that cats are far more likely to be relinquished to shelters than dogs and, once there, fewer than three in ten will end up adopted into a new home.
Black cats have an even more difficult time finding homes because of the superstitions associated with them. The Foundation specifically chose Halloween week for Cat Day in order to help shed light on this stigma.
If you're interested in adding a cat to your family, visit Petfinder.com and enter your city or zip code, then choose cat under "type." Sadly, I found more than 175,000 homeless cats when I searched my area.
In addition, the Cat Day site features an adoption portal to help match homeless cats with interested adopters and to link visitors with animal welfare and rescue organizations.
For more information on National Cat Day, including ways to help if you're not able to adopt, visit the Purina Petcentric site here. And check out the adorable video the people at Petcentric made to help spread the word about the day.
Happy National Cat Day to all the kitties and kitty lovers out there!
And most of the unwanted pet problem could be fixed by, well, fixing!
ReplyDeleteNow, how do you spoil a cat on National Cat Day?
What a beautiful, heartfelt post! When we move to North Carolina in eight months (who's counting??), we're getting two cats. Enough time's passed so we wouldn't be replacing our Chester and Chena, just enjoying being tortured by two superior beings who will have their way--waaaa!--I miss that so much!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I had no idea there was a National Cat Day, but I'm glad there is. :)
ReplyDelete@Alex, exactly! It seems so obvious I don't understand why so many are resistant to it.
ReplyDelete@Kittie, aww, those two kitties will be very lucky to end up with you.
@Dana, I didn't either but I was glad to learn about it. :)
National Cat Day, I'm sure my own black cat will be very pleased to hear this. A house is not a home without a cat I say.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Clancy is just thrilled today. :P
ReplyDeleteNice way to bring awareness about the need to adopt though. Especially black cats and dogs which get stigmatized by superstition.
My friend in Atlanta adores cats, hope she knew about the day, Julie. And thanks for your encouragement, bit late in replying as my husband is waiting for a cancer operation, so things a bit delayed.
ReplyDelete@Suzanne, I agree. :)
ReplyDelete@Karen, oh, I can imagine. Your pictures alone were so amazing.
@LG, LOL, yeah, he's jealous as can be when Nate gets attention. He's like a toddler with a new baby, even though Nate has been with me longer than he has!
@Carole Anne, oh, you're most welcome and I hope your husband's operation will be a success. Take care.
Spreading the word.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate!
I wish I wasn't allergic. May all those precious kitties find loving homes.
ReplyDeleteSuch sad statistics! If there were not serious allergy problems in the family, we would have one or two cats.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I recently saved five kittens from a shelter. Just hoping National Cat day helps more wonderful cats to find homes.
ReplyDeleteNate is a cutie! Our cat was a rescue cat too. Some guy dumped her on my kids and never returned! I love my kitty. She's a classy cat.
ReplyDelete@shelly, thanks!
ReplyDelete@Julie, it's a shame so many are allergic to cats. I hope these kitties find homes too.
@Susan, isn't it sad? Hard to imagine, really.
@Misha, those kittens are lucky to have you in their life. :)
@Elizabeth, thanks! When I was a kid we had a cat dumped in our yard and he became a wonderful pet.
Happy National Cat Day! I have a friend that works here at the local shelter, and I know they have such a hard time finding homes for cats. I wish my husband wasn't allergic or I'd have a couple! Black ones too.
ReplyDeleteMy cat looked pretty impressed when I told him, but I reminded him it was probably in the US only so he went back to looking bored :-)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to come be a pet in your home. I could use some pampering. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have a cat, but alas, highly allergic, so weird, being allergic to cats but not dogs. Doesn't make sense!
ReplyDeleteHappy National Cat Day!
We're a dog family (rescue dogs, of course) but I encourage anyone who's been thinking about adding a cat to their family to do it now. There's a kitty out there waiting for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a comfy-looking kitty! :D I want a cat, but we have two dogs and my wife isn't sure we need another mouth to feed. I'll keep working on her, though! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, what a sweet boy! I had no idea about black cats until I adopted Cleo two years ago (she's all black with green eyes). It's terribly sad that something so stupid would lead to animals being killed. On the positive side, my Cleo has endeared herself to a friend so thoroughly that this friend is no longer superstitious about black cats! She was so bad before that she would turn her car around if she saw a black cat ahead.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
@Christine, aww, it's a shame that cat allergies are so common.
ReplyDelete@Annalisa, LOL.
@Melissa, you are welcome to come LOL.
@Yolanda, it seems like a lot of people are that way. I wonder what it is about cats that causes such bad allergies.
@EJ, LOL, I can understand your wife, I don't think I could handle another pet right now even though I'd love to have one.
@Shannon, I bet your cat is gorgeous! I never knew about it either until recently, and I didn't know there was a stigma about black dogs until I adopted Clancy. Bizarre to me. But that's great about your friend, how sweet. :)
Aw! Great post! I gave my cat a hug today just for this.
ReplyDelete@LD, sorry I missed your comment earlier! And I totally agree that there's a kitty out there for everyone who wants one. :)
ReplyDelete@Emily, how cute! <3
ReplyDeleteNate is adorable!! I'm a cat lover, for sure. I would have adopted (and will), but my last cat found me. He showed up at my window on a snowy night - on the second floor, mind you! - half-starved, half-wild, and half-grown, and won my heart on the spot. Nine years later and he's fat and happy :)
ReplyDeleteWHAT??? You mean EVERY day isn't Cat Day?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, it seems my kitties haven't been entirely truthful with me...
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteAnd National Cat Day has an important message. It's tragic what the plight of so many cats can be. Your linked information may just help a cat get a loving home.
Gary
@Liz, aww, how sweet! When I was a kid our cat found us too. They definitely have a knack for showing up at the right place sometimes. :)
ReplyDelete@Susan, typical cats. :D
@Gary, I hope so, that would be wonderful.
Of course every day is cat day!! But anything to get the word out is ok by me!! :))
ReplyDelete@Austin, glad you approve! :D
ReplyDeleteMy black cat adopted me one night when he climbed in my car during a blizzard and decided I would be good enough to take care of him. He was in rough shape then. Now he loves life. I love the little guy.
ReplyDelete@TBM, aww, how sweet. I'm glad your kitty found you. :)
ReplyDelete