There’s something undeniably magnetic about cats. Cats have inspired myths, broken internet records, and stolen millions of hearts. So it’s only fitting that every year on 8 August, we celebrate International Cat Day. Whether you’re a lifelong cat parent, someone who dreams of adopting a kitten someday, or simply enjoy watching cat videos during work breaks (we’ve all been there), this is your invitation to dive into the fascinating world of cats.
What Is International Cat Day?
First established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), International Cat Day was created to spotlight one of humanity’s oldest animal companions. Since 2020, it’s been coordinated by International Cat Care, a global charity focused on feline health and wellbeing worldwide. Today it’s a full-scale celebration. Shelters host adoption drives, vets share resources, rescue organisations raise awareness, and cat lovers everywhere post approximately one million photos of their cats doing nothing in particular (perfect!).
| 🐾 Did You Know? Cats have lived alongside humans for nearly 10,000 years. Rather than being domesticated in the same way as dogs, scientists believe cats gradually chose to live alongside humans because early farming communities attracted rodents, creating an endless buffet for skilled hunters. In many ways, cats domesticated themselves. |
Cats Around the World
One of the most remarkable things about cats is how they’ve woven themselves into the stories, beliefs, and traditions of cultures across the globe. No matter where you travel, chances are you’ll find a unique tale about these mysterious creatures.
Ancient Egypt: Sacred Protectors
In Ancient Egypt, cats were considered sacred animals. Associated with the goddess Bastet and revered for protecting grain stores from rodents and snakes, the cat was a sacred animal, and harming a cat was a serious offence. Grieving owners reportedly shaved their eyebrows when a beloved cat died. Even today, the graceful elegance we associate with cats echoes the reverence they once inspired along the banks of the Nile.
Japan: The Beckoning Cat
Walk into almost any shop, café, or restaurant in Japan, and you’ll likely spot a smiling cat figurine with one paw raised in greeting. That is the maneki-neko, or “beckoning cat.” According to Japanese folklore, the raised paw invites prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. Different colours and paw positions are said to symbolise different blessings, from financial success to protection and healthy relationships.
The country is home to famous “cat islands” like Aoshima, where feline residents vastly outnumber humans, as well as cat cafés, cat-themed trains, museums, and beloved stories such as The Cat Returns, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Whisper of the Heart. Cats have become deeply embedded in Japanese pop culture, where they’re celebrated for both their charm and mysterious nature.
| 🐾 Did You Know? In Japanese, a cat’s meow is written as “nyan” rather than “meow.” That’s why you’ll often see cat-themed cafés, merchandise, and anime using words like nyanko or nyan. |
Türkiye: Where Street Cats Are Neighbours
In Istanbul (or Catstanbul), street cats aren’t considered “strays” but rather like neighbours. You’ll find them napping in cafes, wandering through mosques, and confidently greeting passersby in markets. Locals collectively provide food, water, and shelter. The documentary Kedi captured this relationship beautifully. It’s proof that compassion doesn’t require ownership and that sometimes it just means leaving out a water bowl on a hot day.
Kuching, Malaysia: The City of Cats
Kuching, the capital of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, doesn’t just love cats. It’s literally named after one. Kuching translates directly to “cat” in Malay, and the city has fully leaned into this identity. Cat statues line the streets, murals appear on walls around the town, and cat-themed decorations are woven into the city’s visual identity. It is also home to the world’s first dedicated cat museum, which houses over 4000 cat artefacts, making it a must-stop for all feline enthusiasts passing through Borneo.
Why Do Humans Love Cats So Much?
It’s easy to say cats are adorable, but science suggests our affection for them runs much deeper. Researchers have found that interacting with pets can lower stress levels, reduce feelings of loneliness, and even help decrease blood pressure. Simply stroking a cat may encourage the release of oxytocin while lowering cortisol. In other words, spending time with a cat can genuinely make us feel calmer.
One reason may be what psychologists call the “baby schema”. Many cats possess features humans instinctively find endearing: large eyes, rounded faces, soft fur, and small noses. These characteristics naturally trigger nurturing responses in our brains, much like those evoked by human infants, except cats are far less impressed by it.
There’s even growing research suggesting that listening to a cat’s purr (typically between 25 and 150 hertz) may have calming effects and could even promote healing of bones and soft tissue. Whether or not purring has magical healing powers, most cat owners would probably agree on one thing: it’s incredibly difficult to stay stressed when a sleepy cat decides your lap is the best place in the world.
| 🐾 Did You Know? Adult cats almost never meow at each other. The “meow” is essentially a language cats developed specifically to communicate with humans. Refined over thousands of years to get our attention, request food, and remind us that dinner was due five minutes ago. |
Cats on Screen and on Pages
Across animation, live-action films, literature, and even comic books, feline characters tend to steal every scene they’re in. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic cats in entertainment history.
On Screen
Baron Humbert von Gikkingen from The Cat Returns, Studio Ghibli
Elegant, calm, and impossibly well-dressed, the Baron is one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved creations. First introduced in Whisper of the Heart before becoming a central character in The Cat Returns, the Baron embodies grace without arrogance.
Goose from Captain Marvel
Looks like a sleepy orange tabby. Goose confirms what cat owners already know: never judge a cat by its napping habits.
Puss in Boots from the Shrek franchise
Few characters embody charisma quite like Puss in Boots. With his dramatic stares, tiny hat, and oversized personality, he transforms every scene he’s in. “I am Puss in Boots, and my name… would become… LEGEND.” Well, consider it confirmed.
Garfield
Created in 1978, still culturally relevant, still refusing to acknowledge Mondays. Garfield‘s entire personality is the radical act of choosing rest over productivity. Which is deeply relatable.
Tom from Tom and Jerry
Tom’s eternal struggle with Jerry is one of the longest-running rivalries in animation history. His persistence in the face of constant failure is either tragic or aspirational, depending on where you are in the week.
Salem Saberhagen from Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sarcastic, intelligent, and eternally imprisoned in a cat’s body, Salem brings sharp humour to every scene he appears in. Unlike many animal characters, Salem is fully verbal and highly opinionated, often acting as both comic relief and reluctant advisor. His wit made him one of the standout characters of the show.
The Aristocats from Disney
A jazz-filled adventure through Paris, The Aristocats introduced audiences to Duchess, Thomas O’Malley, and her three kittens. It’s one of Disney’s most charming explorations of feline life, blending elegance with street-smart adventure.
Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service, Studio Ghibli
Witty, cautious, and occasionally anxious, Jiji adds emotional grounding to Kiki’s journey into independence. His evolving relationship with Kiki reflects the challenges of growing up and finding one’s identity.
The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland
Mysterious, mischievous, and always slightly unsettling, the Cheshire Cat is one of literature’s most iconic feline figures. Disappears mid-conversation, speaks entirely in riddles, and leaves you with more questions than answers. Possibly the most accurate fictional cat ever written.
On Pages
The Travelling Cat Chronicles — Hiro Arikawa
The story follows Nana, a stray cat adopted by a kind-hearted man named Satoru. Narrated partly from Nana’s perspective, the novel unfolds as a road trip across Japan, where Satoru visits old friends while searching for someone who can take care of Nana. Nana’s voice is witty, proud, and deeply observant, offering commentary on humans that is both humorous and unexpectedly profound.
The Guest Cat — Takashi Hiraide
In The Guest Cat, a married couple living in Tokyo begin to notice a stray cat who occasionally visits their garden. Over time, this small visitor becomes a gentle presence that shifts their perception of everyday life. Nothing extraordinary “happens” in a traditional sense. The cat becomes a reminder that meaning often exists in small, fleeting moments we usually overlook.
The Cat Who Saved Books — Sōsuke Natsukawa
A shy, bookish teenager named Rintarō is approached by a talking tabby cat who invites him on a mission: rescue books that are being mistreated, abandoned, or misunderstood. Each journey takes them into surreal “labyrinths” where they confront different attitudes toward literature, like speed reading without understanding, collecting without appreciation, and valuing books only for profit. The cat, known as Tiger, is sharp-tongued, slightly chaotic, and deeply passionate about books. Together, he and Rintarō challenge what it truly means to value stories.
From Naval Warfare to Your For You Page
Félicette — The Space Cat
In 1963, a tuxedo cat named Félicette became the only cat ever sent into space. Part of a French space program, she underwent rigorous training before being launched on a suborbital flight. Sensors were implanted to monitor her brain activity during the mission. Félicette survived the flight and returned safely to Earth, contributing valuable scientific data about space travel and physiology. Despite her contribution, she was long overlooked in popular history. However, in recent years, she has finally begun receiving recognition as a pioneering space traveler. Félicette is also one of the few animals in space history to have a memorial statue dedicated to her.
Unsinkable Sam — The Cat Who Survived Naval Warfare
During World War II, a black-and-white cat known as Unsinkable Sam reportedly survived the sinking of three different ships. First serving aboard the German battleship Bismarck, Sam was later rescued and transferred to British ships, each of which was also sunk. He survived all three incidents and eventually retired safely on land. Whether legend or embellished history, Sam remains one of the most famous maritime animal stories ever told.
Trim — The Sailing Cat
Trim was the beloved companion of British explorer Matthew Flinders, the first person to circumnavigate Australia. Born aboard a ship in 1799, Trim became known for his intelligence, loyalty, and adventurous spirit. He accompanied Flinders on long voyages and was so admired that he later inspired statues and literary tributes. Trim represents a long tradition of cats aboard ships. Valued not just as pest control, but as companions during long and lonely journeys.
Then came the internet
No other animal performs online quite like a cat. They don’t behave on command, which makes every video genuine in a way that’s impossible to manufacture. They communicate constantly through micro-expressions (ear twitches, slow blinks, tail flicks) that humans find strangely readable. And their behaviour, like knocking things off tables for no reason and staring into empty corners, is just unpredictable enough to keep you watching. These cats helped define what internet culture looks like:
- Grumpy Cat — the face of permanently unimpressed humour
- Nyan Cat — a pixelated meme that became internet history
- Maru — the box-obsessed Scottish Fold who turned cardboard into art
- Nala Cat — one of the most followed cats on social media
- Venus the Two-Faced Cat — instantly recognisable for her split-coloured face
- Lil Bub — a symbol of uniqueness and acceptance
- Tombili — an Istanbul street cat so iconic in his lounging by the sidewalk that the city built him a bronze statue after he passed
- Larry the Cat — 19-year-old Tabby, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, unofficial (but undisputed), and running a more active X account than most, with over 900k followers.
They also raised millions for shelters and adoption campaigns, helped normalise rescue adoption, and built global communities around animal welfare. Which, might we add, is a remarkable legacy for creatures who were mostly just doing whatever they felt like. What started as funny clips on early internet forums has grown into something much larger. More meaningfully, it’s kept millions of shelter animals visible at a time when awareness genuinely saves lives.
A Legacy Like No Other
There’s a reason cats have stayed with us across every era, every culture, and every new platform we’ve invented. While the world around them shifted from ancient temples to algorithm-driven feeds, cats remained exactly what they’ve always been: independent, affectionate, and completely unbothered by our need to understand them. In a life that demands constant explanation, there’s something genuinely comforting about a creature that simply exists on its own terms. Happy International Cat Day. 🐾
