Overview

• The International Fund for Animal Welfare designated August 8 as International Cat Day in 2002 to promote cat welfare, responsible adoption and sterilization efforts.
• According to INEGI, more than 16 million pet cats now live in Mexican households, prompting increased shelter support and veterinary outreach.
• Worldwide observances feature adoption and sterilization campaigns alongside educational fairs, while themed cafés in Mexico City partner with veterinarians to host on-site events.
• Recent studies from the Hospital Veterinario de Rutherford and the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Institute show that cat purring can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and potentially cut heart attack risk by about 30%.
• Cat enthusiasts also mark related observances on February 20 and October 29, reflecting distinct origins from memorializing Socks the White House cat to National Cat Day in the United States.