It's International Cat Day! Where to celebrate, adopt a new pet
Cat lovers, did you know today is International Cat Day? It's the purrfect day to treat your independent pal to a special treat or toy just for being them.
In honor of International Cat Day, we thought we would give you the 411 on why cats make great pets, how their special day started and even suggest where to get a cat if you don't have one.
The Animal Service Center of Mesilla Valley in Las Cruces, for example, is highlighting a kitty named Tom who would love to be adopted.
Here is more information about International Cat Day.
When is International Cat Day 2023?
International Cat Day is celebrated annually on August 8.
What is International Cat Day?
International Cat Day is a celebration created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to raise awareness for cats and spread the word on ways to help and protect them.
Five reasons why cats make great pets
They are great apartment pets. They don't need a yard to go to the bathroom.
They are great hunters. Creepy crawlies like spiders and pests like mice don't stand a chance when a cat guards your property.
They're low maintenance. They don't need to be taken out for walks or played with for hours daily to keep them happy and well-behaved.
They can be cheaper to care for than other pets. Cats handle their grooming themselves, only needing assistance if they get too big or old to tackle their daily grooming sessions.
They're independent. Cats often march to the beat of their own drum. They don't need humans, but they will be there for you when you need them. They can entertain themselves and most don't care for constant attention.
Source: excitedcats.com
Don't have a kitty? Here are some for adoption
The Animal Service Center of Mesilla Valley has a 4-month-old male cat, Tom, available for adoption.
Tom, a domestic shorthair breed, is the last of his siblings to be up for adoption. He is a little shy but opens up when approached gently. A kind and patient family would make Tom come out of his shell.
Tom has been at the shelter for two months and has an identification number of 63021.
The center is at 3553 Battan Memorial West Blvd. in Las Cruces. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Information: 575-382-0018.
Sun City Kitty at Sunland Park Mall is a cat cafe where people can order coffee, cuddle with kittens and full-grown cats and adopt them. For more information: suncitykitty.com; facebook.com/suncitykittyep
Owners of the cafe would like to highlight three of its adoptable cats:
Bowtruckle (Aka Bowie) (tabby and white kitten) is a short king that was never taught how to sweet talk anyone. His gruff growls and chirps are simply pleas for belly rubs and all he wants is a home that will pet him and keep comments about his height out of earshot. He still believes that one day his legs will catch up to the rest of him and we let him keep that hope alive.
Valerie and Victoria (tabbys) are a sweet pair of sisters that just want to mother everyone: you, your kids, your pets, your immature ex. They have been together their whole lives and are making sure they stick together by guaranteeing no one can tell them apart anyways. It's like having one cat in two places! Magic.
The Humane Society of El Paso, at 4991 Fred Wilson Ave., also has cats and dogs for adoption. Information: 915-532-6971.
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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter. USAToday contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: It's International Cat Day, what to know about cats, adopt and play
