For some people, every month is happy cat month, but did you know there actually is a special month called Happy Cat Month that is entirely dedicated to feline wellbeing? Happy Cat Month is a time to focus on your cat, find and meet their needs, and raise awareness about the overall state of feline health in America. Happy Cat Month is the brainchild of the CATalyst Council, a nonprofit passionate about feline welfare. Happy Cat Month is an annual event that takes place during the entire month of September (September 1st through September 30th), and it does a substantial amount of good for cats all over the world. Here is everything you need to know about Happy Cat Month including when it takes place, how to celebrate, and resources you can use to learn more.
Happy Cat Month Overview
The Purpose of Happy Cat Month
The purpose of Happy Cat Month is to promote the health and wellbeing of pet cats. There is a perception that cats are more independent than dogs and that they have a higher tolerance for health issues. Many cat owners say things insinuating that if their cat is sick enough to go to the vet, they must be dying. The people at the CATalyst Council believe that this is a mistake that harms cats. While cats are different from dogs in many ways, they still need plenty of regular care to keep them feeling their best.
The purpose of Happy Cat Month is to raise awareness about the needs of domestic cats. Cats need to go to the vet once or twice per year (at a minimum) in order to maintain optimal health. Many people think that their cats do not need the same level of care as dogs. This is simply not true. Cats need plenty of stimulation, health care, and attention to keep them feeling their best. Happy Cat Month aims to bust these misconceptions and stereotypes through education, sharing of information, and examples of proper cat health.
History of Happy Cat Month
Happy Cat Month was created by the CATalyst Council to promote the welfare and wellbeing of domestic cats. The CATalyst Council is a nonprofit that has been working to advance the welfare of domestic cats for years. Happy Cat Month goes back many years, and each year, the CATalyst Council puts out press releases and educational material and puts on events to help promote the welfare of cats.
As awareness about Happy Cat Month has grown, so too has its reach and impact. Every year, more publications and websites talk about Happy Cat Month, and more people are becoming aware of the CATalyst Council and their mission. Happy Cat Month is slated to continue for the foreseeable future and will be observed in 2024, 2025, and beyond.
How to Celebrate Happy Cat Month
There are four main ways that you can celebrate Happy Cat Month. The first is by taking your cat to the veterinarian. If it is September and your cat has not gone to the vet in that calendar year, it is time to schedule a checkup. Regular checkups provide you with valuable information about your cat and help you get preventive medicine. Preventative medicine is the best way to ensure that your cat is able to live a long and healthy life.
The second way to celebrate Happy Cat Month if you’ve already taken your cat to the vet is to spend some quality time with your cat. Cats love people, and they require a ton of time and attention to feel enriched and secure. You should play with your cat regularly and provide enriching toys or a feline companion to ensure that your cat has all of their mental and emotional needs met in addition to their physical needs.
In addition to these two key things, you should also take September to really observe your cat and look out for signs of poor health, pain, loneliness, and boredom. Observing your cat will help give you an idea of what your cat’s exact needs might be so that you can then make a plan to meet them more effectively. That is the essence of Happy Cat Month.
If you already do all of these things and feel secure in the fact that you are a good and happy cat owner, you should share the love and promote the CATalyst Council on social media. Use the hashtag #HappyCatMonth and link to the CATalyst Council’s website. This way, other people who might not be as astute or aware can learn and participate in this annual event.
Conclusion
Happy Cat Month is a great way to help get your cat the care and attention they need. Cats might give off an air of aloof superiority, but they are still dependent on people to meet their basic needs. Too many people unwittingly neglect their cats’ needs because they feel like their cats don’t need as much help as dogs. That is not true. Use Happy Cat Month to spread the message and get cats the care they need.
Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
