International Cat Day on 8 August
A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa
International Cat Day aims to raise awareness for cats and learn about ways to help and protect them
Cats, domestic cats, house cats, pets, lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, animals, conservation, zoos, wildlife parks
International Cat Day is observed annually on 8 August to celebrate our furry feline companions! The special occasion was created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to highlight the importance of cat welfare and responsible pet ownership. Since then it has spread across the world to include various activities and events to support domestic cats (pets, strays and feral) and wild cats / big cats (lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and cheetahs). From 2020, the event has been promoted by the British charitable organisation International Cat Care.
The theme for 2025 is “Cat friendly everyday” whereby “…we explore what it means to be ‘cat friendly’ – respecting each cat’s unique nature and meeting their environmental and social needs, at home, in the veterinary clinic, on the street or in a shelter”. Previous themes: "Celebrate cats!” (2024); “Purrfect play every day” (2023); "Cat friendly resources" (2022)'; “Be cat curious - training for cats and their humans" (2021); and “In praise of felines” (2000). Source: https://icatcare.org/international-cat-day.
International Cat Day (8 August) is held to highlight the care for cats (pets, strays & feral) & wild cats
Upper Hutt City Library
Domestic cats / House cats:
Te Anau Community Events - 'Ginge' the cat & his around town adventures, Jan 2024
Central and Western Murihiku Southland Archive
Stray cats:
Stray cats are domestic cats that live outdoors either alone or in groups
They may have left their home or become lost or were abandoned.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Image: One of 3 kittens whose mother usually seen foraging in rubbish bins
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
Feral cats:
Feral cats have either never had any physical contact with humans or contact has diminished over time
Image: Feral kitten seen along a river mouth.
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
RNZ interview (2016) with a cat trapper who says that feral cats can be rehomed
Radio New Zealand
Image: Former feral kitten that has become cared for by a homeowner
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
Organisations that provide advice & help care for cats:
SPCA New Zealand provides advice & helps protect animals including cats who are sick, injured, abused or vulnerable
SPCA (The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Incorporated) has 28 animal centres & 6 vet partnerships
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
SPCA Canterbury Photograph 05
UC QuakeStudies
Horowhenua SPCA
Kete Horowhenua
SPCA calls for ban on selling non desexed cats
Radio New Zealand
Rascal
Kete Horowhenua
Titch
Kete Horowhenua
Pixel Explores
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Cats Protection League is a charitable trust for rescuing, rehabilitating & rehoming cats
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Cats Protection League
Hamilton City Libraries
Cats Protection League Shop
Christchurch City Libraries
Catteries are mainly temporary boarding facilities used to house & care for cats, & may also be used to breed cats
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Housecats can stay at catteries overnight or longer periods of time whilst the owner is away from home on vacation etc
Upper Hutt City Library
Big cats at zoos & wildlife parks in NZ:
Lion
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
Lions at Auckland Zoo
Auckland Libraries
Lion
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
Lions at Orana Wildlife Park
Christchurch City Libraries
Lion encounter
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Lion and cubs at Orana Wildlife Park
Christchurch City Libraries
Tiger enclosure at Orana Park
Christchurch City Libraries
Tiger enclosure at Orana Park
Christchurch City Libraries
Tiger, Eye of the ...
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Orana Park: cheetah (2)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Cheetah
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
Cheetah
iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao
Cats in the news!
Rastus the motorcycle-riding cat
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Angus the "Countdown Cat; 2023
Upper Hutt City Library
Cats prefer... RNZ Concert! | 11 July 2023 | RNZ
Radio New Zealand
New Zealand's best cats battle for glory
Radio New Zealand
Cat had two homes, two owners
Radio New Zealand
Cat who saved owner's life crowned Cat of the Year
Radio New Zealand
Beautiful Berani: Zookeeper remembers Auckland’s last Sumatran tiger
Radio New Zealand
We're turning 10!
Hamilton City Libraries
Sumatran tiger at Hamilton Zoo becomes world's second oldest
Radio New Zealand
Hamilton Zoo reveals gender of its new Sumatran tiger cubs
Radio New Zealand