Paige poses with her cat, MeeMow. Colleen Paige
We know you want to celebrate National Cat Day properly, so we went straight to the source to learn more. National Cat Day founder Colleen Paige chatted with Paw Nation about how the holiday came to be, how you can celebrate it, and what she hopes people take away from it.
How did National Cat Day come about?
Really, it was a follow-up to National Dog Day, and I simply wanted to give cats a day to be celebrated. They really do what dogs do in terms of giving us unconditional love and companionship, but don't always get the recognition. And sadly, there are so many more cats out there that need homes than dogs.
Why choose October 29 as the date?
It's my mom's birthday, and she was always rescuing cats when I was growing up. I always, always wanted a puppy, and my mom would say, "You don't want a puppy to chase the cat, do you?"
Paige with her mom and first kitten. Colleen Paige
There's such a massive number of cats in shelters, so we're setting a goal of 10,000 adoptions on National Cat Day to help them find homes.
What if someone simply can't adopt a cat?
There are so many ways to help. Make a donation. Even one dollar buys a bowl of food. If you can't donate, volunteer to clean, brush or play with cats in a shelter or rescue. I know people think cats are independent, but they love to play and be paid attention, just like dogs.
If you can't afford a cat, look into fostering. You're basically saving two lives, because you're giving a temporary home to one and making room for a shelter to house another. And generally, your costs are covered or very low.
What's involved in founding a holiday?
A lot of passion! I was already an established animal behaviorist and the founder of Pet Home Magazine, so I had the respect of people in the industry. Without people to back your holiday, you can't really get the word out. You also need to have money for a Web site and promotion.
Now, everything I make goes into these holidays, and it takes a lot of money. We don't solicit from the public, but we're not a non-profit, so it's difficult because the economy has hit everybody [including our sponsors].
If people take one thing away from National Cat Day, what would you like it to be?
When you save a life and give love to another being, it changes and enhances your soul in ways you can't imagine. If you're not sure about adopting a cat, try fostering. And if you think you don't have the time or the money, think hard. If you have the time and money to take a big trip, but you don't want to get a cat because of the cost of boarding, you're really missing out.
Find out more about hosting your own event on the Animal Miracle Network Web site!
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National Cat Day!
In honor of Luckie, my 19 yr old rescue cat, I agree people don't think of rescuing cats, they think turn them lose outside they can fend for themselves, and they can't. I am glad to have this day. I also have a 4yr old rescue cat named Rascal and before them Jezabell was also a rescue and she lived to be 18 yrs old.
I'm asking for your prayers because my 5 yr. old male cat is very ill right now. Today my vet had to administer Sub Q fluids, do a full lab panel for blood, liver and kidney functions and also give him a second dose of antibiotics. Currently, he is borderline diabetic, fever of 104, not eating, and hardly drinking. Please, he needs your prayers! I can not afford anymore tests or medicines since I am only living on SSI Disability. I don't want to lose him, but I cannot afford to keep him on special diets or medicines, so please pray he gets better and won't need special treatments!