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SunMar 2

International Rescue Cat Day – March 2, 2025

International Rescue Cat Day is observed on March 2 every year. There are a lot of homeless cats on the streets just waiting for a day like this where people will come to take them off the streets and adopt them as a member of their families. To adopt a cat, you just need to visit a pet adoption agency and after the agency does their due diligence and everything checks out, they then go ahead with the adoption. Most domesticated cats are valued by humans for companionship, especially by people who work from home and people who live in apartments.

History of International Rescue Cat Day

Cats are domestic species with quick reflexes, a strong body, and sharp teeth. The first time a cat was domesticated was in Greece in 1200 B.C. after which it was introduced to Southern Europe. By the 5th century, they were familiar animals seen around settlements in Etruria.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.) was founded by Henry Bergh in 1867 and it was the first humane association with the initiative that all animals are entitled to respectful and kind treatment and must be protected under the law. The A.S.P.C.A. plays an important role in the adoption and rescue of animals. Animal rescues in general play an important role in the community by reuniting lost pets with their owners, giving shelter to homeless pets, and providing a new home for pets. They help to improve the general health and well-being of animals in the community.

Over 6,000,000 domestic animals enter U.S. animal shelters worldwide each year, of which over three million are cats. Each year approximately 530,000 cats are euthanized in the shelter, this figure has decreased in comparison to 2011 when it was about 1,500,000 cats being euthanized. This decline is due to an increase in the number of cats being adopted and an increase in the number of stray cats being reunited with their pets. Approximately 2,100,000 cats are adopted each year.

International Rescue Cat Day timeline

1200 B.C.
Cats Are Domesticated

Greece starts to domesticate cats.

1867
The A.S.P.C.A. is Founded

Henry Bergh establishes the American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals.

1869
The First Animal Shelter

A group of women activists establishes the country’s first animal shelter.

1992
The Cat House on the Kings

The world’s largest no-kill cat sanctuary is established.

2019
International Rescue Cat Day

International Rescue Cat Day is observed for the first time in March.

International Rescue Cat Day FAQs

What do you do on International Cat Day?

There are a lot of things that you can do, including adopting a cat from a local shelter or volunteering at a local shelter

Why is it so difficult to adopt a cat from a rescue?

Some shelters make it difficult for you to adopt a pet because some pets might not be easy to live with due to their bad background. They want to ensure that you are fit enough to look after the cat.

Why are pet adoption fees so high?

Adoption fees are usually donations to help support animal shelters or rescue groups.

How to Observe International Rescue Cat Day

  1. Adopt a cat

    What better way to celebrate International Rescue Cat Day than to rescue a cat yourself. Visit the animal shelter near you to get the full details for adoption.

  2. Volunteer at an animal shelter

    If you already have a cat and can’t take in any more, you can volunteer at an animal shelter where cats are taken care of. That way, you would still be helping a homeless cat.

  3. Reunite a cat with its owner

    You can join a search team to help an owner find their lost cat. This way, you’ll save a cat from homelessness.

5 Important Facts About Cats

  1. They can’t taste sweetness

    Cats are the only mammals that can’t taste sweetness.

  2. They are great jumpers

    They can jump a distance that is six times their length.

  3. They have a lot of bones

    They have 230 bones, which is more than we humans have.

  4. They have 18 toes

    Cats have five toes on each of their front paws and four toes on each of their back paws.

  5. They have whiskers on their legs

    Whiskers are not only on their face but also at the back of their front legs.

Why International Rescue Cat Day is Important

  1. We save their lives

    Some of these animals were abandoned by their owners who left them to die but we give them another chance at a good life. Essentially, we are saving their lives.

  2. We reduce overpopulation

    Shelters are often overpopulated. Adopting a cat will reduce the population issue.

  3. We love cats

    What better way to celebrate our love for cats than by helping to find new homes through adoption or by reuniting them with their old families. We can also spend the day with them in the shelters.

International Rescue Cat Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 March 2 Sunday
2026 March 2 Monday
2027 March 2 Tuesday
2028 March 2 Thursday
2029 March 2 Friday