Discussing The Month-Long Pet-Themed Holiday That Celebrates Cats And Their Beloved Owners
Every day is a good day to love and appreciate your cat! However, the month of December is an exceptionally good time of the year to show your cat some extra love. That’s because the entire month of December is observed as National Cat Lovers’ Month. This month-long holiday acknowledges and celebrates the relationship between people and cats.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about National Cat Lovers’ Month. It will also include why cats are worth celebrating and how you can get involved with this wonderful pet-themed holiday.
A Holiday About Loving Cats
The A.V.M.A. reports that over 31 million U.S. households have cats as pets. That makes up more than 25% of U.S. households. This makes cats the second most popular pets in the U.S. (next to dogs). It’s clear that Americans love their cats.
National Cat Lovers’ Month serves as a reminder to show your cat some extra love. It also aims to remind non cat owners about how wonderful cats are. Cats make incredible companion animals for a variety of reasons. They are affectionate, playful, cuddly, and make for great company. If you’re on the fence about being a cat owner, try getting to know a friend’s cat first or do some volunteer work at your local animal shelter.
The Importance Of Cat Care
It is true that cats are the second most popular companion animal in the U.S. However, that doesn’t mean that cats are loved by everyone. Sadly, domestic cats have been experiencing a very serious overpopulation crisis over the past couple decades.
The Tuckahoe Veterinary Hospital reports that there are over 70 million feral cats in the U.S. These numbers continue to rise with each passing year. This is a shocking statistic considering there are only 94 million registered cats in the U.S. The cat overpopulation crisis is a result of irresponsible cat breeding and a lack of initiative regarding cat population control. This crisis isn’t taken very seriously because cats are generally not taken very seriously.
Cat Overpopulation Statistics
As previously mentioned, it is estimated that there are over 70 million feral cats in the U.S. These numbers will only continue to rise unless action is taken. T.N.R. (Trap Neuter Release) programs are a start towards getting the cat population under control. To learn more about T.N.R. programs, click here.
Additionally, the A.S.P.C.A. reports that around 3.2 million cats enter U.S. animal shelters every year. Out of those 3.2 million, around 530,000 of them will be euthanized. This is mostly due to a lack of space, resources, and staff. These numbers reflect the severity of the current cat overpopulation crisis in the U.S.
Inspiring Change
While the number of feral cats in the U.S. is exceptionally high, it can be lowered. By putting more emphasis and value on domesticated cats, we can help lower the amount of feral cats in the U.S. as well as the number of cats euthanized in U.S. shelters.
Cats are important companion animals. National Cat Lovers’ Month reminds us just how important, valuable, and loving cats are. Whether you are a cat lover or not, we invite you to get involved with this wonderful holiday that celebrates and helps felines everywhere.
Observing The Holiday
The best way to observe National Cat Lovers’ Month is to shower your cat with affection. We suggest giving them a gift like some high quality treats or a new toy. These small gifts are a great way to remind your feline friend how loved and appreciated they truly are.
Additionally, you can also make your own toys or treats at home! Making something for your cat from scratch will save you money and it will be much more rewarding overall. For some DIY cat toy ideas, click here. For some DIY cat treat recipes, click here.
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