International Cat Day: why is it celebrated on August 8 and twice a year? | the Chronicle

The gatos they are special animals. Some believe they have 7 lives, but what is a fact is that humans celebrate their existence three times a year. is August 8 is International Cat Day, but those who are celebrated have two extra days per year.

The celebration of this day was instituted in 2002 by an initiative of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. This organization works with active projects in more than 40 countries around the world and deals with save animals, prevent cruelty and protect the fauna and ecosystems of each species.

The organization seeks to promote animal rights, regardless of the peculiarities of this date. However, the groups cat lovers assure that August “is their month”.

This belief stems from a number of scientific studies which ensure that the activity of cats increases in August, due to the temperature and sunshine conditions they receive during the day. The test was applied to the northern hemisphere and found that these factors directly affect the reproductive cycle of felines.

Likewise, January should be considered in the southern hemisphere. In fact, the Brazilian College of Animal Reproduction (CBRA for its acronym in Portuguese) has argued that the ovulation period of cats increases with more hours of daily light, and the heat phase can be extended up to 19 hours. days.

Because of this, the awareness of neutering cats to avoid overcrowding and neglect it is also part of the global campaign.

According to a study by the international organization Ecology Global Network there are around 100 million homeless stray cats. Although they have a reputation for being snarling or treacherous, they are good companions and that is why 52% of households in the United States have a cat as an affectionate animal, surpassing the dog in this sense.

“They are the only domestic felines and their relaxing company and autonomy in care make many people in the modern world prefer them to dogs, as affectionate animals “, the vet held Juan Enrique Romero in an Infobae column.

And its relationship with humans is thousands of years old. In ancient Egypt there were statues dedicated to cats, their abduction and sale were punishable by death, and even if they died, their owners shaved their eyebrows in mourning. Same some of their deities have their form.

But history progressed and their species became popular icons such as Hello Kitty, Doraemon, Garfield, the Aristocats, Tom, Silvestre or Puss in Boots. And more here in time, they have become memes and their photos are flooding social media ads such as Instagram.

Why do cats have three dates to celebrate them?

In addition to August 8, On October 29 and February 20, Cat Day is also celebrated around the world. There’s no order of importance in labeling each one, but fans often take all three as a good excuse to celebrate the little cats.

The three dates of celebration originated in the United States, one of them with the mascot of a president as the protagonist, although all of them have become world days

The first of them, on February 20, has a direct relationship with the former President of the United States. Bill clinton, who ruled his country for eight years. Presidential cat Socks Clinton’s death commemorated, one of the pets of Clinton, head of state of his country with two terms, between 1993 and 2001. He is said to be the most famous and powerful cat in the world in the 90s.

He was even the only feline in US history to roam freely the solemn quarters of the White House. In addition, he had his own website and received a large amount of mail from all over the country.

Socks have lived for almost two decades: was born on March 15, 1989 and died on February 20, 2009.

The second date, On August 8, it was established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), to draw attention to animal rights.

This celebration was instituted from the proposal of IFAW with other animal rights groups to celebrate what some they are applying as the most popular mascot on the planet.

To this date It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of sterilization animals to avoid overpopulation and neglect.