National Cat Day 2025: Celebrating Our Feline Friends for the 20th Year on October 29th

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29, 2025 — National Cat Day returns on October 29th, purring into its milestone 20th anniversary celebration of our feline companions. Today marks two decades since pet lifestyle expert and animal advocate Colleen Paige first established this special day. Over two decades the celebration has grown into a global phenomenon. Expect network news stories, national TV show segments, shelter events, adoption drives, online videos, and countless adorable cat photos, all sending the hashtag #NationalCatDay trending worldwide.

National Cat Day celebrates all felines, from elegant purebreds to charismatic rescue cats. The day acknowledges not only our beloved family pets but also the millions of cats waiting in shelters for their forever homes. Founded in 2005 by Colleen Paige, National Cat Day was created to raise awareness about the millions of cats in need of loving homes and to encourage cat adoption.

“It’s a day to honor the special bond between humans and cats while shining a spotlight on the countless cats still waiting in shelters,” Paige explained when she founded the day twenty years ago. “Every cat deserves a chance at a loving home, and this day serves as a reminder of the joy and companionship these independent, graceful creatures bring to our lives.”

Two Decades of Progress

As National Cat Day celebrates its 20th anniversary, the impact of this and similar awareness efforts on feline welfare has been remarkable. The number of cats euthanized in shelters has reached its lowest level recorded since detailed history tracking began, a testament to increased awareness and adoption efforts. About 49 million U.S. households now own a cat, which is nine million more than just two years ago.

The progress is encouraging: the rate of shelter intakes that led to adoptions increased from 59% in 2019 to 65% in 2023. Shelters have made tremendous strides in life-saving efforts, implementing initiatives like community cat programs, staffed overnight kitten nurseries, and return-to-field strategies.

Challenges Remain

Despite this progress, challenges persist. According to the Cats and Stats Report 2025, one in three 18–34-year-olds now own a cat, with nearly half choosing a pedigree breed and 15% purchased from a specialist breeder, causing a decline in shelter cat adoption. Social media trends and designer breeds continue to influence adoption patterns, making days like National Cat Day more important than ever.

How to Celebrate and Make a Difference

Amidst the flood of adorable cat photos, videos, and heartwarming news features across social media, National Cat Day calls out to potential pet parents, urging them to consider adopting a feline friend from a nearby shelter or rescue group. Many local and national shelter and rescue organizations host special events and reduce adoption fees in honor of the day.

Adopt: If you’re ready to welcome a cat into your home, visit your local shelter today. Whether you’re looking for a playful kitten or a calm senior cat, shelters are full of cats with unique personalities waiting for their forever homes.

Donate: People who are unable to adopt are encouraged to make a donation to a local or national shelter or rescue organization on October 29th. Your donation provides comfort, care, food, and medical attention for cats awaiting their future forever homes. You can search the Pawzhub directory for animal shelters or humane societies near you.

Foster: Consider becoming a foster parent. Fostering saves two lives—the cat you foster and the one that takes its place in the shelter.

Share: Post photos of your cat or share adoptable cats from your local shelter on social media using #NationalCatDay. Your post could be the one that connects a cat with their perfect family.

Volunteer: Shelters need help with everything from socializing cats to managing social media. Your time and talents can make a real difference.

Looking Forward

Whether you adopt, donate, foster, volunteer, post on social media, or simply celebrate your bond with your feline companion with an extra treat and cuddle session, remember that every act of kindness creates ripples. National Cat Day continues not just as a celebration, but as a call to action for cat lovers everywhere to make a difference in the lives of these independent, mysterious, and endlessly entertaining companions who enrich our lives in countless ways.

As today marks a 20th anniversary milestone, we honor progress made and recognize work still ahead. Every cat deserves to be valued, loved, and cared for—and National Cat Day reminds us that we all have a role to play in making that vision a reality.