Cats are animals that like to hoard, from pampering to lives (no more and no less than seven), so, in part, it is normal that they also do so with their world day, which is celebrated no less than three times a year. The cats did not deserve less, some will say. And it is that the kittens fight against the dogs on the podium of the favorite pets, and it is logical, although they have a reputation for being independent, there is nothing better than their company and feeling their purr – by the way, there are studies that say that it can help calm anxiety.
Three dates marked on the calendar to commemorate International Cat Day: February 20, August 8 and October 29, three days in which all cat lovers share photos on social networks showing off theirs while they play, they sleep, demonstrate their skills or while doing their thing. But do you know why his day is celebrated three times a year?
February 20th
It is the first cat day celebration of the year, and it has its origin in the United States, specifically in the White House. And it is that, between those more than four walls lived a kitten named Socks –socks in English– who was the pet of Chelsea Clinton, daughter of President Bill Clinton. This cat was very loved by American citizens, even those of the opposite party, and was known in practically the whole world in the 90s, even receiving fan letters from him.
This feline star stopped shining on February 20, 2009, and after its end several animal protection organizations decided to pay posthumous tribute to it, marking that day as that of cats around the world.
August 8
The second date indicated for cat lovers is August 8, a day that was chosen by the International Forum for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and other groups in favor of animal rights to pay tribute to all cats. and have been commemorated since 2002.
There are also those who say that August is the month of cats, since it is in this month that they are most active due to the amount of sunlight and the increase in temperature that is experienced in the northern hemisphere, something that also influences and increases Its reproduction.
October 29th
Lastly, National Cat Day takes place in the US -extended to the whole world-, which has its origin in the American pet lifestyle expert Collen Paige, who proposed this day to celebrate the existence of cats in the United States. In reality, this day is intended to make society aware of the existence of stray cats as well as to encourage the adoption of felines and their responsible ownership.
The adoption of cats in Spain
According to the study He would never do it from the Affinity Foundation, in 2020 in Spain 124,142 cats were collected in animal shelters and shelters, 0.6% more than in 2019. Of all of them, 2.2% were returned their owners as cases of lost felines, 42.6% found a new home thanks to adoption, 15.1% remained in shelters and 10.6% died or were euthanized for medical reasons.
“We can affirm that the adoption of companion animals in Spain has been reinforced in 2020, despite the difficulties in accessing shelters for many months of the year and the serious economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had. ”, highlights the report.
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