International Cat Day

In the calendar there are three very special dates for cat lovers, and they are known as international cat day. These days are the perfect excuse to show them the love we have for them, either by giving them a can or playing for a longer time with them.

But it is also the time to reflect on the situation in which stray cats find themselves. These precious furry ones who must search for life on a daily basis in a world where there are still too many people who want little or nothing to know about cats.

Origin of International Cat Day

International Cat Day It began to be held in 1993 in the United States. Around this time, the daughter of former Governor Bill Clinton adopted a cat she named Socks. Throughout his life the furry spent a lot of time in the White House with his family, so that he was soon seen by crowds of journalists and heads of state. He died in 2009, on February 20, surrounded by love and affection from both the White House and Internet users, who decided to pay tribute to him.

For its part, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, together with other organizations that defend animals, began to celebrate Cat Day on August 8; Not surprisingly, that month is one in which these cats are in full mating season.

And finally, expert Collen Paige promoted October 29 as International Cat Day with the goal of achieving 10.000 feline adoptions that day each year. But, regardless of which day is chosen to celebrate it, do not forget that they are done to raise awareness about the respect they deserve, responsible ownership and the need to adopt.

When and how is it celebrated?

For several days a year, on February 20, August 8 and October 29, those of us who live with one or more cats we can give you delicious meals, like a delicious can of chicken meat or natural tuna.

In the cat associations of the world, outdoor assemblies are held in which you can enjoy these animals while learning more about them by watching documentaries and / or exhibitions. In addition, social networks are filled with messages of love, beautiful images and months about cats. These are a sample:

Only those who have or have tended a cat will understand

Happy #DiaInternacionalDelCato

pic.twitter.com/0CF4c3yvof

- 9000 (@ 9000x) February 20th 2019

I adore cats. They are one of the few creatures that cannot be exploited by their owners. "
Umberto Eco #InternationalCatDay pic.twitter.com/zEphbcRhb8

- Phoenicurus Ochruros (@POchruros) February 20th 2019

Happy #InternationalCatDay! pic.twitter.com/elheu5eRpM

- Big Bang (@bigbang_ES) February 20th 2019

MININOS !!!! #DiaInternacionalDelCato pic.twitter.com/ahQqFLQSUY

- Zalatoy (@zalatoy) February 20th 2019

The keepers of the cat colonies: true heroes

Some people think that stray cats can take care of themselves, but The reality is very differentIf their mother does not teach them to hunt, they will never learn it. Also, if they live in cities it will be very difficult for them to find something to eat.

Fortunately, they are not alone. There are more and more people who take them food every day and take care of them: they are castrated so that they do not have litters, they take them to the vet if they are sick,… in short, they take care of them as they would take care of the cat that awaits them at home.

Image - Facebook of José Luis Pardo Hidalgo

Yet these people, these true heroes, every day they have to face the ridicule, threats and harassment of those who have no idea of felines. One of those deceased heroes is José Luis Pardo Hidalgo, a man who had been caring for a cat colony for years in Lloret de Mar (Catalonia, Spain). How he died? Defending his cats from a man who bullied him with his dogIn 2017.

As long as José Luis's life is over, the culprit of his death is likely to go unpunished. Because that's the way things go. It has no logic.

How to take care of the cats of a colony?

Caring for stray cats is a noble act that, I sincerely think, improves us a lot as people. But you have to do it right, using common sense. And it is that although they do not live with us at home, it is not difficult to take them the same affection as we take our feline.

That is why it is very important that we respect them, that we respect that they want to be free (only kittens less than two months old could be successfully adopted). But beware: looking to protect them from dangers.

Legalize the colony

Although it is very cruel, there are many towns and cities in which it is forbidden to feed the cats that live on the street, and in others it is mandatory to legalize the colonies. How do you do that? Going to the town hall to ask what to do.

In the event that it has to be legalized, we will have to fill out a form and attach a photocopy of the DNI, after which they will give us a card. We have to carry this card with us always, in the bag or wherever, as it will allow us to feed the cats without legal problems. It is also very likely that they will give us a sign that has something like "COLONIA CONTROLADA" written on it and below an identification number or similar.

Feed them dry food

And I say dry food and not wet well mess a lot less. Cats love the wet one, but they usually leave a lot of remains on the floor 🙂, and that at home nothing happens, it is cleaned and that's it, but outside it is a problem. To avoid this, you must always choose to give it dry feed, or at least semi-humid.

Regarding the composition, Ideally, they will only have meat and a very low percentage of vegetables and fruits.But if the budget doesn't allow it, don't get too obsessed with it. Although yes, we must know that there are low and medium range feeds that are better than others, for example:

BonMascota: the 10kg bag costs about € 12-13. It contains dehydrated poultry meat as the main ingredient, and although it contains rice (19%) and corn, it also contains fresh pork, chicken fat, beet pulp and vitamins.
Megabone: the 20kg bag costs about 20-28 euros. And although it contains cereals as the first ingredient, it also contains meat, essential oils and fats, and vitamins.

In addition, we must make sure they always have clean and fresh water at your free disposal.

Can you feed them in a garden / garage / etc. particular?

As long as that site is ours or that of an acquaintance who has given us written and signed permission, we can feed them there. For example, I myself have a feline colony in the garden. They have their refuge where they sleep and protect themselves from the cold, rain, and other inclement weather, and an area - the garden itself - that they use to play and sunbathe.

No one can forbid us to feed cats if they are on our property or that of someone who has given us permission.

Take them to the vet if they need it

Cats that live on the street can also fall ill, suffer a fracture or, ultimately, require veterinary attention. Taking this into account, it is necessary that, within the measure of our possibilities, we go making a piggy bank whose money we will allocate to these cats, which can be unforeseen and very high.

Squash them, both cats and cats

To avoid overcrowding, to prevent more kittens from being born in the street, to avoid more suffering. Cats, whether male or female, must be castrated (and not sterilized) before they have their first heat; that is, before 5-6 months of age.

The CES project is taking place in many parts of the world. It is a good idea to inform yourself about it, but basically it is to take the cats to be neutered and, once recovered, to release them in the same place where they were. This is how the birth rate is controlled, and incidentally, it is achieved that the animals have a longer and quieter life.