{"id":477584,"date":"2025-08-08T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.net\/en\/?p=477584"},"modified":"2025-08-08T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T12:00:00","slug":"august-8-international-cat-day-a-celebration-for-our-feline-companions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/style\/anniversaries\/august-8-international-cat-day-a-celebration-for-our-feline-companions\/","title":{"rendered":"August 8: International Cat Day, a celebration for our feline companions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every August 8th, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/estilo\/efemerides\/efemerides-y-conmemoraciones\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"509591\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August<\/a><\/strong> celebrates <strong>International Cat Day<\/strong>, a date dedicated to honoring one of the world&#8217;s most popular companion animals. Although they are often attributed with characteristics such as independence or even arrogance, for millions of people around the world, cats are endearing members of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/3-3-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"Gato\" class=\"wp-image-511827\" style=\"width:222px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This commemoration was promoted in 2002 by the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www-ifaw-org.translate.goog\/international?_x_tr_sl=en&amp;_x_tr_tl=es&amp;_x_tr_hl=es&amp;_x_tr_pto=tc\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www-ifaw-org.translate.goog\/international?_x_tr_sl=en&amp;_x_tr_tl=es&amp;_x_tr_hl=es&amp;_x_tr_pto=tc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Fund for Animal Welfare<\/a> (IFAW), a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing animals and protecting their habitats. The choice of the month of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/estilo\/efemerides\/efemerides-y-conmemoraciones\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/estilo\/efemerides\/efemerides-y-conmemoraciones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August<\/a><\/strong> is because in the northern hemisphere, this period coincides with a stage of high fertility for felines, which reinforces the symbolism of the date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Three days to celebrate cats<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\nUnlike other pets, cats have three official dates on the calendar to celebrate International Cat Day:\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/4-6-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-511834\" style=\"width:392px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>February 20:<\/strong> This date commemorates the death of &#8220;Socks&#8221;, the cat of the daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who became a beloved figure nationwide. After his death in 2009, his followers promoted the idea of remembering cats on that day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>August 8:<\/strong> Established by the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www-ifaw-org.translate.goog\/international?_x_tr_sl=en&amp;_x_tr_tl=es&amp;_x_tr_hl=es&amp;_x_tr_pto=tc\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www-ifaw-org.translate.goog\/international?_x_tr_sl=en&amp;_x_tr_tl=es&amp;_x_tr_hl=es&amp;_x_tr_pto=tc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IFAW<\/a><\/strong>, it is the most international celebration, aimed at raising awareness about the care, respect, and responsibility towards cats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>October 29:<\/strong> This day is focused on the <strong>visibility of stray cats<\/strong>, with the aim of promoting their adoption and combating animal abandonment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Are cats really that independent?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\nThere is a widespread myth that defines cats as completely self-sufficient animals, both in everyday life and emotionally. However, this perception can affect the bond between humans and felines, and minimize the commitment that their ownership implies.\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/5-1-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"Gato\" class=\"wp-image-511829\" style=\"width:273px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\nSince their domestication, cats <strong>depend on humans to survive<\/strong>: feeding, health, safety, and well-being are aspects that fully fall on their guardians. Therefore, on International Cat Day, the aim is not only to promote their adoption, but also to promote <strong>responsible ownership<\/strong> and demystify the idea that they do not need constant care.\n\nIn addition, living with cats can have a very positive impact on people&#8217;s mental health. Proof of this is the so-called <strong>&#8220;cat therapy&#8221;<\/strong>, a therapeutic practice that helps reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression thanks to contact with these animals.\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Commitment and responsibility to our feline companions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\nInternational Cat Day is, therefore, an opportunity not only to celebrate their companionship, but also to <strong>reflect on the commitment involved in having one at home<\/strong> and the love that these beings can give us when they are cared for with respect and responsibility.\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Myths and beliefs about cats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\nCats have been surrounded by myths and beliefs since ancient times. Some stem from admiration for their enigmatic behavior; others, from prejudice or ignorance. Below, we review the most common ones:\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"511826\" src=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2-6-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"Gato\" class=\"wp-image-511826\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"511832\" src=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/8-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"Gato\" class=\"wp-image-511832\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"511831\" src=\"https:\/\/ab.deultimominuto.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/7-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"Gato\" class=\"wp-image-511831\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>They were revered as gods in Ancient Egypt<\/strong><br>Although they were not considered gods per se, cats held a sacred place in Egyptian culture. They were associated with <strong>Bastet<\/strong>, goddess of protection and fertility. Their presence was so valued that there are statues, paintings, and even mummies of cats. <strong>Killing one could be punishable by death.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>They always land on their feet<\/strong><br>It is true that they possess a <strong>righting reflex<\/strong> that allows them to turn in the air and land on their paws, but this does not make them invulnerable. Falls can cause them serious injuries, especially if they occur from very low or very high heights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>They are completely independent<\/strong><br>One of the most ingrained myths. Although they can spend time alone, cats <strong>form strong emotional bonds<\/strong> with their caregivers and depend on them for their physical and emotional well-being. Their \u201cindependence\u201d is, in reality, a different way of socializing and expressing themselves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Black cats bring bad luck<\/strong><br>This prejudice, which arose in the Middle Ages due to its association with witchcraft, <strong>has contributed to their marginalization and lower adoption rate<\/strong>. In many current cultures, however, they are considered a symbol of good fortune.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>They have seven (or nine) lives<\/strong><br>The expression reflects their agility and ability to get out of dangerous situations unscathed. But like any living being, <strong>cats have only one life<\/strong>, and it is the responsibility of their caregivers to protect it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every August 8th, August celebrates International Cat Day, a date dedicated to honoring one of the world&#8217;s most popular companion animals. Although they are often attributed with characteristics such as independence or even arrogance, for millions of people around the world, cats are endearing members of the family. This commemoration was promoted in 2002 by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":477585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[40918],"tags":[41784,41833,41832],"class_list":["post-477584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anniversaries","tag-august","tag-cat","tag-international-cat-day"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phj1q1-20eY","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/1-3.jpg","dum_api":{"author_name":"Redacci\u00f3n De \u00daltimo Minuto","author_image":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/cropped-logo-de-ultimo-minuto-96x96.png","categories_name":["Anniversaries"],"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cdn.deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/1-3.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=477584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477584\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/477585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=477584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=477584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deultimominuto.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=477584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}