When is International Cat Day?
International Cat Day 2027 is on Sunday
Sunday, August 8, 2027
August 8 every year. That's in 308 days.
until International Cat Day begins, in your time zone
International Cat Day is a yearly day to celebrate cats and promote better care for them, from regular vet visits to handling that suits a cat's nature. An animal welfare charity started it in 2002, and International Cat Care now leads it.
About International Cat Day
International Cat Day focuses on the welfare of domestic cats, both the ones living in homes and the many in shelters or on the street. Its organizers use the date to share practical advice on how cats behave, what they need at each stage of life, and how owners, vets and shelters can make routine care less stressful for them.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) created the day in 2002 to raise awareness of cats in need and of good cat care. In 2020, International Cat Care, a UK-based charity that works on cat health and welfare around the world, became the day's custodian. It now runs a campaign each year with free guidance for owners and professionals, built around its idea of cat friendly care, which means handling, housing and treating cats in ways that respect how they experience the world.
International Cat Day is easy to confuse with National Cat Day in the United States. That observance falls on October 29, was started in 2005 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige, and focuses mainly on adoption. Several other countries also keep cat days of their own on different dates, so cat lovers may come across more than one during the year. None of them is an official public holiday.
Sources: International Cat Care: International Cat Day, UPI: International Cat Day was founded by animal welfare group in 2002. How we check dates.
How to mark International Cat Day
- Book your cat's yearly vet check-up if it is due, and ask about weight and dental health, which are easy to overlook at home.
- Give your cat more choice at home: a hiding place, a high resting spot, and food, water and litter kept in separate areas.
- Donate food, litter or blankets to a local shelter or cat rescue, or ask whether it needs volunteers to socialize shy cats.
- If you are ready for a pet, consider adopting an adult cat from a shelter or rescue group.
- Check that your cat's microchip is registered with your current phone number and address.
International Cat Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Friday, August 8, 2025 |
| 2026 | Saturday, August 8, 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday, August 8, 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, August 8, 2028 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, August 8, 2029 |
| 2030 | Thursday, August 8, 2030 |
| 2031 | Friday, August 8, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is International Cat Day 2027?
International Cat Day 2027 is on Sunday, August 8, 2027. It falls on August 8 every year. In 2028, it is on Tuesday, August 8, 2028.
Who runs International Cat Day?
International Cat Care, a UK-based charity, has been the day's custodian since 2020. The International Fund for Animal Welfare started it in 2002.
What is the difference between International Cat Day and National Cat Day?
International Cat Day on August 8 is a worldwide cat welfare campaign led by International Cat Care. National Cat Day on October 29 is a US observance founded in 2005 that centers on shelter adoption.
Is International Cat Day a public holiday?
No. International Cat Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.