5 Ways to Celebrate International Rescue Cat Day

International Rescue Cat Day, which is always on March 2, is a day where pet parents, shelters, rescue organizers, and potential adoptees bring awareness to cats who are awaiting their forever home in shelters and rescues around the globe. This awareness day started in 2019, but it’s sadly more relevant than ever. While many people adopted cats during the pandemic, these pets were ejected from their homes when unemployment soared and inflation rose. A whopping 3.3 million cats entered shelters and rescues last year, according to Shelter Animals Count. It’s a .2 percent increase from 2022. Because of the dire overcrowding at shelters, 330,000 cats were euthanized last year alone. 

This is why it’s so important to make sure that International Rescue Cat Day gets its due. This day promotes adopting cats from rescues and shelters (rather than going to a breeder) and brings awareness to the overpopulated shelters. If you currently don’t have the means or space to adopt or foster a cat, don’t fret — there are other ways that you can create a positive impact on International Rescue Cat Day. Read on to find out how.

What is International Rescue Cat Day?

International Rescue Cat Day is observed on March 2, which falls on Saturday in 2024. It was started in 2019 by Yorkshire Cat Rescue. Some rescues and shelters have events in celebration of this relatively new holiday. It differs from National Cat Day, which takes place in the United States on October 29, because that day celebrates all cats.

Why is International Rescue Cat Day important?

International Rescue Cat Day is important because it raises awareness about cats languishing in overcrowded rescues and shelters. If they are unlucky enough to be in kill shelters, they might even be euthanized. So it’s paramount to spread the word on how important rescuing is. 

Rescuing saves lives

Rescuing a cat can literally save lives. Depending on where you adopt your cat from, it might not be their life that you save (though they will be forever grateful for escaping a rescue or shelter, which usually puts a large amount of stress on an animal), but getting your new cat out of a rescue will open up a spot for another cat to take its place. Each available spot in a shelter makes a huge difference. 

Rescuing reduces pet overpopulation

Cats that are brought into shelters are spayed or neutered, so even if they are released back into their environment, because they’re feral, they won’t produce any more kittens. Ultimately, this will help cut down the influx of cats entering shelters. 

Rescuing opens more space in shelters

Every time a cat leaves a rescue or shelter, another cat can move in. When rescues have room, they try to take in cats from kill shelters across the country. This ultimately creates more space for shelters to take in more cats and less pressure to euthanize the ones who are considered less adoptable.

Rescuing gives cats loving homes

As we mentioned above, by rescuing a cat you are literally saving lives but you are also changing and enriching the life of the cat you’re bringing into your home. Shelters and rescues are incredibly stressful for cats, and they can become depressed. Once they’re adopted, you’ll likely see the playful and relaxed side of your kitty come out after they adjust to your new home. 

Celebrate International Rescue Cat Day

Are you ready to get involved and make a difference? Here are a few ways that you can help rescue pets at your local shelters and rescues.

1. Volunteer rescue or shelter

Volunteering can be a great way to provide a service for your local cat community if adopting or fostering isn’t an option for you. Volunteers will help beleaguered shelter or rescue employees with various tasks and spend time giving some stressed out kitties some much-needed love and attention. Just reach out to your local shelter to see if they need volunteers and what kind of commitment they require. 

2. Foster a cat

Fostering a cat while the shelter or rescue hunts for that cat’s forever home is also a quick way to unburden shelters. By fostering, you’re taking a cat out of the shelter, which creates another spot for another cat to move in. Plus, the cat in your care will eventually start to unwind and their personality will come out, which will help make them more adoptable. Potential adoptees can be less likely to adopt a cat in a shelter that is very skittish or scared. 

3. Donate to a rescue or shelter

If you aren’t able to foster or volunteer, you could make a one-time or recurring monetary donation to a rescue or shelter. This money will go toward expensive medical procedures that cats might have to undergo, spaying and neutering, supplies, and shelter upkeep. 

4. Spread the word

Share a shelter or rescue’s page on your social media accounts for International Rescue Cat Day. Your family, friends, and followers might make a donation or be inspired to get involved with their local shelter. 

5. Treat your cat

Give your little rescue cat an extra special treat to show how much you love and appreciate them. Whether it’s a lip-licking-worthy snack or a brand-new toy, your cat will love it. And then you can share a photo to family, friends, or your preferred social network to raise awareness for International Rescue Cat Day. 

Consider adopting a rescue cat

Bring a rescue cat home with you. It can be intimidating picking a cat out at a shelter or rescue, but consult staff about what you’re looking for and they can direct you to a cat or kitten that might fit your needs. Just remember that you’re likely not seeing the cat at their best — they might have had a loving home and then surrendered to the shelter, they could have been feral, or their pet parent might have passed away. You can check your local shelter, your local rescue, or search on Adopt a Pet to find your companion.