Maybe you’ve been following the rise of International Cat Day, or perhaps you’re just hearing about it for the first time. Either way, there are some great ways to get involved – you just have to know where to look.
What is International Cat Day?
Founded in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, International Cat Day (ICD) takes place every year on August 8, as an event to raise awareness of cats and ways to promote their well-being. Since 2020, the day has been sponsored by International Cat Care – a British non-profit dedicated to improving the welfare of cats.
International Cat Day and other animal fundraisers are for everyone on any budget, so don’t turn away because you think you need to spend a ton of money to get involved!
The 5 Heartfelt Charities & Fundraisers for International Cat Day
1. Buy Rope
If you’re looking for a fundraiser to help cats and want to support a great company, Buy Rope is donating 100 percent of its profits to animal rescue centers and charities on August 8.
While Buy Rope donating 100 percent of profits one day a year is impressive enough, it’s far from the only time this fantastic company has reached out and helped animals in need. Their program runs throughout the year by offering meals and support to local shelters and aging cats.
Even better, Buy Rope does their best to support local charities and shelters, which means more of your money goes to helping animals.
Of course, with this fantastic fundraiser, you also get a high-quality rope product in the process, so it’s really a win-win. Whether you need rope for arts and crafts or workout equipment, Buy Rope has you covered – and they’ll help save some cats in the process.
2. Bonfire
So, it’s not as great as the Buy Rope fundraiser; however, the American Kitefliers Association (AKA) has a year-round promotion: the proceeds of t-shirt sales go to support the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition.
The coalition exists to work toward controlling San Antonio’s feral cat population in the most humane manner possible. It might not seem like a big deal, but with so many feral cats, someone needs to do something, and the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition is stepping up in a way that matters.
For each AWA shirt you purchase, just under $5 is sent to the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition. You get a cool t-shirt, and they get much-needed funds to make a difference.
3. PAWS Wild Week
Every year PAWS hosts an online week-long auction with the proceeds going to support various animals in need. This year they’ll host their auction from October 3–9, but you need to register to bid after September 1.
They also host an in-person Gala in Seattle on October 9, but they only have 250 tickets available, and they start at $200 apiece. PAWS Wild Week is a great fundraiser that raises a ton of money to help animals in need, but it’s also a more expensive option.
Not everyone has a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to drop in donations. Still, it’s a cool fundraiser to check out just to see the unique offerings!
4. Best Friends
Best Friends has a few different animal sanctuaries that work to help animals in need. The organization is, perhaps, best known for its No-Kill 2025 campaign, which aims to eradicate euthanasia in shelters across the country. You can sign up to volunteer at any of their animal sanctuaries, or you can send a donation to help animals in need.
While those activities all require you to be near a specific location, you can also choose to sponsor an animal for as little as $25. You can opt for a one-time donation or a monthly contribution, or you can even set up your own fundraiser!
What’s unique about how Best Friends works is that there are tons of ways to help, and you can set up your own event to make even more of an impact. Another unique offering of Best Friends: Sign up for a Best Friends Credit One credit card and have 1 percent of all your purchases go to Best Friends to help animals in need. Credit One Bank has also pledged $1 million toward the Best Friends no-kill agenda.
You don’t need to spend any extra money, and you can support an outstanding charity that helps animals that need it.
5. ASPCA
Alright, so maybe the ASPCA isn’t exactly a “heartfelt fundraiser”, but they do make a difference. There are plenty of ways you can do this with the ASPCA. Of course, you can send them money, but they also have tons of ways to get involved no matter where you live.
They also have a ton of regional programs, including a foster kitten program in Los Angeles, foster programs in New York City, and a behavioral rehabilitation center in North Carolina. They also have a National Field Response team you can sign up for and help out with if there’s an animal crisis in your area.
Sure, it’s not all about cats, but they sure help a lot of them. The ASPCA is a place where you can get involved and make a difference, and what better way is there to celebrate International Cat Day?
Why Is International Cat Day on August 8?
International Cat Day all started in 2002 when the International Fund for Animal Welfare set up the day to raise awareness for cats – and more specifically, learn about ways to help them.
While many countries throughout the world have their own International Cat Day setup, August 8 is the date that’s catching on. With International Cat Day gaining popularity every year, it’s a great way to give back to cats that need help.
Other Ways to Get Involved with International Cat Day
While there are plenty of charities you can donate to on International Cat Day, that’s far from the only way you can get involved. Below we’ve highlighted four different ways you can support International Cat Day.
- Volunteer: This is probably the best way you can get involved. Local shelters almost always need help, and if you’re willing to devote a few days to helping animals, it really is a win-win for everyone. Local cats and dogs get a little extra love, attention, and care, and you get to spend a day with some furry friends!
- Spend Some Time with Your Cat:If you already have a cat at home, one of the best ways you can spend International Cat Day is by giving them a few extra treats or a little extra love. It’s a great way to spend the day, and you’ll get to make your feline happy too!
- Spread Awareness:Just because you don’t have the money to spend to help out shelters or animal rights groups doesn’t mean you don’t know people who do. Something as simple as sharing a post on social media trying to get people to donate can make a difference.
- Adopt or Foster a Cat:Before heading out to adopt or foster a cat on International Cat Day ensure you have the time, capability, and commitment to care for a cat as long as they need it. Because while adopting one of these cute cats is fun, it’s a commitment for years.
Adopting a cat on International Cat Day only to surrender them later down the road isn’t the best outcome for anyone.
Final Thoughts
There are somewhere between 60 million and 160 million feral cats in the United States alone, and likely several million abused cats. With such alarming statistics in the United States, it’s no wonder that there’s a rising need for something like International Cat Day to raise awareness.
So, whatever you do, get involved on August 8 and make a difference.
- See Also: 11 Best Cat Affiliate Programs
Featured Image Credit: Hemin Xylan, Shutterstock
